How casually are you dressed for business?
By: Janet Adetu Date: 8 years agoComment: 0 Category: Articles
Over the years many organizations have moved towards a more relaxed view on office dress code. The objective at the start of this management trend was to create a more comfortable and stress free working environment. Employees were given the freedom to dress down on Fridays as a way to express an element of liberty and flexibility.
Reflecting on today’s causal Fridays it appears they have become somewhat too casual. It is important for an organization to lay down and clarify the rules for dressing within the office to avoid any assumptions and misplaced priorities.
Business casual dressing depends highly on the respective industry that you work in, a banker for instance would not be expected to dress in the same manner as a graphic artist on a Friday. The graphic artist may appear more expressive and daring by nature. How casually are you dressed when you travel? This depends on the message you want to send or communicate to those who see or meet you. Are you one that wants to look authoritative as the CEO of your company or the high flying professional / entrepreneur that you are, or do you prefer to appear more approachable? Be wary of what you wear during business travels, you may stumble across a client, top official or a fellow colleague. You are always given an opportunity to network where ever you go, try to maximize the opportunity by presenting a positive first impression. Always add a touch of professionalism in articulating your clothing, and you will never undermine your professional image.
6 ETIQUETTE MISTAKES EXECUTIVE MAKE.
Fashion trends come and go so be careful not be a fashion victim. Follow your own unique style and make casual Fridays a day to display your individuality.
- The notion of a casual Fridays denotes causal thinking, casual working, and casual productivity. Don’t let your, dressing affect the work that you do, or your standard of performance. Always prepare for a busy working schedule.
- Jeans, the standard casual wear in the office. As comfortable as they may be, jeans are generally not considered as business casual wear. Many organizations have begun to realize that wearing jeans is quite inappropriate for office wear unless it is an out of office function. As an alternative to jeans you may wear khakis, corduroys or slacks.
- Business casual does not need a jacket. To a large extent this statement is true, however, this depends on the level of business casual. For any formal meeting that is considered serious, meaningful, determined and authoritative you must include a jacket in your dress sense. Keep a spare jacket in your office for emergencies and unexpected business meetings. Jackets depict high and unexpected business meetings. Jacket depicts high professionalism.
- Short sleeves or sleeveless. Remember sleeveless dresses or strappy shirts as business casual are unacceptable. Round neck t-shirts are also not considered business casual. Whether you are wearing a polo shirt or short sleeved shirt it must have a collar.
- Fabulous feet. Wearing sneakers, slippers, backless shoes or flip flops is strictly not for the office. In a session, I was once asked if an executive was well dressed. She wore a smart skirt suit, carried a decent bag, but I observed further she wore plastic slippers. Instantly, I made reference to the slippers and clarified the casual Fridays should still include appropriate
footwear.
- Office to afterhours dressing. The fact that you have received an invitation to attend an invitation to attend a cocktail, launch, dinner and more does not mean that you wear clothing depicting a ‘party’ attitude. A change of clothes is important for freshness and sharpness, make it a practice. A dress and jacket for woman can be converted to simply a dress for the evening. Losing the jacket and tie works better for men.
Good luck on your journey to self-discovery!