Suits you attitude outdated in offices

May 30 2008 By Greig Cameron

Relaxed dress code new fashion

Power dressing is on the wane with a smart casual dress code starting to dominate more and more businesses, according to research.

Executive leadership and development consultancy The Aziz Corporation found 51 per cent of employers allow staff to wear smart casual in the office, but wear a suit or equivalent for meetings.

However, a further 12 per cent allow the more relaxed dress code for business meetings as well.

Only 24 per cent of offices require staff to wear suits at all times, down from 37 per cent in 2004. But turning up in tracksuit bottoms and trainers is still frowned upon with just 12 per cent of employers giving the workforce complete freedom to wear what they want.

Being smart and professional at work is no longer equated with wearing a suit, with 90 per cent of workers believing a suit does not automatically make you look smart.

Around two thirds of those interviewed felt smart casual was the most appropriate dress code for everyday working wear.

However, only six per cent would dress casually for business meetings and more than 60 per cent of workers disagree with a free choice policy for work clothing.

Professor Khalid Aziz, chairman of The Aziz Corporation, said: "Far from wishing they could get away with ripped jeans and T-shirts, most employees take their professional image at work very seriously and will dress smartly by choice.

"However, there is no longer a perception that we have to wear suits in order to be smart.

"Enforcing a suits-only dress code is seen as outdated and perhaps a little insular in an increasingly international workplace, an image which savvy, modern companies want to steer clear of.

"Suits are best saved for business meetings where a very formal appearance is desirable."

Almost half of employees would consider dressing more smartly than usual if they felt their job was at risk due to financial conditions, the study found.

Aziz added: "Like it or not, people will always be judged on their appearance as well as their abilities, and in the current climate some bosses will be reassessing their workforce, so it's only prudent to look the part as well as acting it."

It is not just clothing which can have an affect on how someone is seen.

The research found visible tattoos were thought acceptable by 45 per cent of respondents with facial piercings at 40 per cent.

Summer items such as flips-flops and shorts should not make it into the office but novelty ties split opinion with 47 per cent happy to see people wearing them and 53 preferring something more sober.

Aziz added: "The office is not a catwalk, and it is desirable to be noticed for your professionalism rather than for your mini-skirt.

"As a rule, conservative clothing will always be the wiser option if boundaries are unclear."