CONTEMPORARY DRESS CODE REQUIREMENTS

Etiquette is transforming with a day. The same for DRESS CODE requirements. A new outfit has come into existence over the last 10 years: ‘deniable suit’. It is a shirt that could possibly be a suit shirt, pants that probably belong to a suit, and the implication that your jacket is somewhere nearby.

Our greetings to everyone! A bit more on DRESS CODE to finish this week’s topic. Opinions of people in business: You wear whatever the client wears. In financial services, you would be in a suit and tie if all the clients are in business formal. 90% of clients are business casual. Some clients may even be casual. On Friday’s in the office, jeans and a button-up/blouse are more than acceptable. Suit jackets with no tie — that’s what is meant now when you say a suit! The tie isn’t exactly dying, but it’s no longer considered essential to have a tie in order to ‘be in a suit’. Shirts are nowadays a little stripier than expected, so maybe the system is loosening up gradually. While suits are still universal in banking, the actual definition of a ‘suit’ seems to be degrading gradually. There is a kind of ‘deniable suit’ outfit that is come into existence over the last 10 years: shirt that “could” possibly be a suit shirt, pants that “probably” belong to a suit and the “implication” that your jacket is somewhere nearby. For women, it seems that clothing type matters less (which seems to be the distinction for men), and what matters more is:

1. Color choice — bright blouses/skirts/dresses seem less formal than a black skirt/pants + white blouse. In the public sector (in close contact with the financial sector), almost everyone ware black/gray/navy. You really stand out if you ware other colors.

2. Layers tend to look more formal — a cardigan can take the place of a suit jacket and still look formal, and

3. Heel height — high heels are more formal than flats. A woman in black slacks, heels and a nice cardigan will look much more formal than someone in a brighter dress/suit with a jacket in flats.

Would you have your personal opinion on DRESS CODE applications, please share it in the comments or by sending a message. Look forward to seeing you at our events!

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