Tom Ford once famously said ”Dressing well is a form of good manners.”
Despite our modern workplaces where bean bags and beer taps are the norm, his advice is still as relevant today.
Of course, how we dress for work has changed over time. In the ’80s and ’90s, pinstripe suits and shoulder pads ruled the boardrooms and head offices of companies around the world.
As Millennials began to enter the workplace there has been a gradual shift towards more casual attire. Jeans are now acceptable (thanks Steve Jobs) and no one would look down their nose at you for wearing trainers in most tech companies.
While our dress codes have become more casual, the wrong clothing choices can still have a massive impact on your career.
New research conducted by OfficeTeam found that 86% of professionals and 80% of managers think that clothing choices can keep people from advancing on the job.
So what are the big no-nos when it comes to office dressing? Well, according to the study, tank tops, ”cold shoulder tops” and shorts are less acceptable than they were five years ago.
The study also found that workers put a lot thought into their fashion decisions. On average men spend 12 minutes per day deciding what to wear while women spend 9. Employees aged 18 to 34 spend the most time deciding what to wear (13 minutes) compared to those aged 35 to 54 (10 minutes) and 55 and older (7 minutes).
One thing that might speed up the process is keeping a separate work wardrobe, like 67% of the professionals surveyed said they do.
So what happens when people break office dress codes? Well, they get pulled up. 44% of senior managers have talked to an employee about their inappropriate attire. While 32% have sent staff home based on what they’re wearing.
Need help dressing for success? Check out our ultimate guide to power dressing.
What’s the dress code like in your office? Let us know on Twitter.
