Workplace dress codes - are they changing?
Discussion
Has the tie died*?
When I started out in office-based work, about 15 years ago, it wasn't even a question. You wore a suit and tie; on some Fridays, the IT department were allowed (by special dispensation) to wear their "Friday ties" which basically meant that Creepy Graham The IT Manager would wear a Simpsons tie and matching socks.
Nowadays, though, it seems to be increasingly the case (certainly in the technology-based industry in which I work) that being booted and suited is something you do when the customer comes in (or you go to them). For daily office work, though, a decent shirt and possibly a tie seems to be the norm. Even very senior managers in our customer's organisation seem to have adopted the Indian model (no tie) for all but the most formal of occasions. It's also becoming increasingly difficult to tell the difference between dress-down Friday and the rest of the week.
Once upon a time I'd have tutted and clucked about this, but these days, I'm not so sure that it makes any difference.
So, if you've got a degree of latitude in what you wear to work, do you exercise it? If you haven't got any latitude, would you like some?
When I started out in office-based work, about 15 years ago, it wasn't even a question. You wore a suit and tie; on some Fridays, the IT department were allowed (by special dispensation) to wear their "Friday ties" which basically meant that Creepy Graham The IT Manager would wear a Simpsons tie and matching socks.
Nowadays, though, it seems to be increasingly the case (certainly in the technology-based industry in which I work) that being booted and suited is something you do when the customer comes in (or you go to them). For daily office work, though, a decent shirt and possibly a tie seems to be the norm. Even very senior managers in our customer's organisation seem to have adopted the Indian model (no tie) for all but the most formal of occasions. It's also becoming increasingly difficult to tell the difference between dress-down Friday and the rest of the week.
Once upon a time I'd have tutted and clucked about this, but these days, I'm not so sure that it makes any difference.
So, if you've got a degree of latitude in what you wear to work, do you exercise it? If you haven't got any latitude, would you like some?
* See what I did there? No? Get tae feck, then.
If I'm in the office (engineer, oilfield service company), there is basically no dress code (within reason) - T-shirt, jeans and trainers does the trick - occasionally I wear a shirt, never a tie though - but clients never come into our bit of the offices.
The big bosses tend to go for the shirt with no tie look.
The big bosses tend to go for the shirt with no tie look.
I also work in IT. I'm a field engineer so I spend all day at customer sites, and the dress code is black trousers, black shoes and a shirt with no tie. It was also the same at my last employer except they gave us shirts with the company logo on but no requirement to wear a tie.
It appears the tie has lost favour, which I'm not complaining about as I hate wearing ties. I've noticed that if your employer doesn't insist on a tie, you end up with sloppy untidy dressed employees! Some of my current and ex-colleagues seem to think a t-shirt or jeans are accept to wear on customer sites. Scruffy gits!!
It appears the tie has lost favour, which I'm not complaining about as I hate wearing ties. I've noticed that if your employer doesn't insist on a tie, you end up with sloppy untidy dressed employees! Some of my current and ex-colleagues seem to think a t-shirt or jeans are accept to wear on customer sites. Scruffy gits!!
I work in the UK for a large international bank and wear jeans/t-shirt/trainers. We used to be be able to wear whatever you like but they have tightened up the code so you can no longer wear shorts, sports clothes, flip flops, strappy tops.
Ties?? - you'd be laughed out the office for wearing one of those.
Ties?? - you'd be laughed out the office for wearing one of those.
Another complex area. Unless for H&S or technical reasons, better to over dress than under dress, then if events change through the day you won't get caught out. Additionally, when suited and booted it does have an impact, usually positive, on your frame of mind and on those you will come in to contact with. On the other hand, it can get expensive, so as long as the salary supports a more formal dress code, then it has my vote.
rog007 said:
Another complex area. Unless for H&S or technical reasons, better to over dress than under dress, then if events change through the day you won't get caught out. Additionally, when suited and booted it does have an impact, usually positive, on your frame of mind and on those you will come in to contact with. On the other hand, it can get expensive, so as long as the salary supports a more formal dress code, then it has my vote.
I disagree, wearing a suit and tie when others around you aren't does you no favours, particularly in a sales situation. We've had many times when customers have commented that one of the reasons they picked us pre sales was that we aren't all corporate, suit and tie. If that isn't the customers style they are more likely to be appealed to by people who appear to be like them, suit and tie often equates to being untrustworthy to people who aren't of that culture themselves.
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