What we wear to work has changed significantly in recent years, and there has been a definite shift from formal to casual. While conservative dress remains the norm in some sectors, almost anything goes in some workplaces. Rachel Miller explains how to make sure your work wear is appropriate
"People tell me they don't know what to wear to work anymore; and yet there is so much emphasis on what you wear and the impression you make," says stylist Lisa Talbot, author of Stylish Dressing With a Capsule Wardrobe.
One of her clients was going for an interview at a trendy start-up where everyone dressed fairly casually. "She had absolutely no idea what to wear. She wanted to look professional and demonstrate that she really cared about getting the job, but at the same time she wanted to look as though she would fit in."
Another client had left the corporate environment to set up a health and wellbeing business aimed at high-end customers. It was no longer appropriate to wear formal business suits; now she needed a look that was professional but that would put people at their ease.
"We swapped her formal suits for jersey skirts and chiffon shirts - fabrics that are much softer and more appropriate to her new business," says Talbot. "Now she feels like she represents her own brand."
No more suit and tie
It's not just women that are facing these sartorial dilemmas. Men often have to judge just how formal they should be. "Outside of law and finance it's very rare to see men in suits anymore," says Talbot. "Nowadays men often wear formal shirts with more casual trousers. They may wear a tie but no jacket, or they may prefer a shirt and blazer but no tie."
The challenge is to find a look that is professional, but which fits the environment and the moment. "I went to a sales conference recently and one of the speakers, who was in his mid-fifties, had judged his look perfectly," says Talbot. "He was wearing dark indigo jeans, a belt and a crisp white shirt. It was a casual outfit but it looked very professional."
It worked because it wasn't too formal, she adds. "It's about personal branding. If he had pitched up in a suit he would probably have turned off his audience."
Office dress codes
As well as working with individual clients, Lisa Talbot advises businesses on staff dress codes. "Businesses often need personal branding advice to help them with their own employees," she says.
"I worked with one company that wanted to introduce a really strict set of rules as part of a dress code, including specific skirt lengths. I told them they couldn't set such rigid guidelines. You can say 'no jeans', for instance, but you have to give people flexibility."
The best way to tackle a dress code is to be upfront about it from the start, advises Talbot. "If you have a new member of staff, just say to them 'we don't have a strict dress code, but we'd prefer it if you didn't wear jeans or sportswear', for instance."
It can also be a good idea to specify how you want staff to present themselves when they're meeting customers. Jeans and t-shirts may be the norm in some environments, but staff should be encouraged to smarten up if they're meeting clients.
"Techies tend to be happy in jeans or even shorts and a t-shirt - but what does that say when a client walks into the office?" asks Talbot. "If you have a meeting with a client, there is an etiquette. There are easy ways to up your game - swapping scruffy jeans and a t-shirt for dark jeans and a polo shirt, for instance - without becoming someone you're not."
What not to wear
Many sectors now have very relaxed dress codes - not just in technology, but in media firms and creative businesses such as advertising and PR. But does that mean anything goes?
"I went to a presentation at a tech company recently where all the women were in jeans, and that felt odd to me. Denim is a casual fabric; there are so many other things you can wear," says Lisa.
Sportswear, beachwear and festival wear are all looks that are best worn outside of work, she says. Just because Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg wears t-shirts, hoodies and flip-flops, it doesn't mean we all should.
"If you're dressed too casually it looks like you don't care about your job; it sends the wrong signals."
Do clothes really matter?
"First impressions count," says Talbot. "Someone makes a decision on you within seven seconds, so what you are wearing is a big part of that - as well as your handshake and your smile."
There are lots of ways your outfit can make a poor impression - badly-fitted clothes, a missing button, dirty shoes or even a heady perfume. "It's not just whether you are formal enough; it's about showing you care."
You want to be remembered for the right reasons. "You don't want your outfit to be making too strong a statement, but you can still inject some personality as long as you're professional."
Talbot recently worked with the CEO of a global company who had to make a presentation to hundreds of staff. "She is quite quirky, so she wanted an outfit that would reflect her personality. I found an asymmetric print dress with an asymmetric hemline and she loved it," says Talbot. "She said 'it felt like me walking onto that stage'."
It's all about confidence. "The right clothes can make you feel confident and strong in your capabilities, says Talbot. "They can even make you smile more."
Staff dress codes - your questions
David Price, head of employee relations at HR consultancy Peninsula, answers key questions about staff dress codes
Should I introduce a staff dress code?
The way your employees dress says a lot about your business, so consider what image you're projecting. A dress code promotes a professional image, and can help put staff in the right mindset for work.
How should my employees dress?
Consider what the 'norm' is for your particular industry. For example, in the legal sector staff are usually expected to wear suits, while in creative sectors employees often dress much more casually.
If your business is a customer-facing one, such as a shop, you may want to introduce a uniform, which enables shoppers to identify staff easily.
Should I be influenced by what clients wear?
First impressions last, so you should adapt to the situation. For client meetings, try to anticipate how clients will dress by looking at what's usual in their sector, if you haven't met previously.
What's acceptable in one situation could give the wrong impression elsewhere.
How should I introduce a new dress code or uniform?
If you don't explain why you are introducing a new uniform r dress code, it could cause bad feeling. Ideally, seek agreement rather than forcing change. You'll get more support from employees if they understand your reasons.
How do I make sure staff stick to a dress code?
Include it in staff contracts or handbooks, and explain what will happen if employees don't comply, which could include informal disciplinary action.
If you have a uniform, specify when staff should and shouldn't wear it. If staff are going out getting drunk wearing a branded work t-shirt, for example, it won't reflect well on your business.
What is the law on staff dress codes?
It's a legal requirement for staff to wear certain clothing in some sectors. For example, construction workers must wear protective boots.
Employees also have the right not to be discriminated against, so it is important to tread carefully and ensure that your dress code doesn’t put anyone at an unfair disadvantage.
For example, if you tell employees that they must have their heads and faces uncovered at work, and you can't objectively justify it, you could face discrimination claims from members of some religious groups.
You can find advice on avoiding sex discrimination in your dress code on the GOV.UK website.
How flexible should my dress code be?
You may want to make your dress code flexible if it's not always comfortable for employees. You could have a summer dress-down period, for example, to ensure staff are comfortable in warmer weather.
If you do, though, make sure you spell out exactly what is and isn't allowed, such as t-shirts and flip flops. Some staff may take it as an opportunity to dress for the beach, which could be inappropriate for meetings or if clients drop by.
