TRENDS FOR BUSINESS DRESS

Causal dress in the workplace has become widely accepted. According to a national study
conducted by Schoenholtz & Associates in 1995, a majority of the companies surveyed allowed
employees to dress casually on day a week, usually Fridays (Tartt, 1995, 23). The trend
continued to climb as shown by the 1997 survey by Schoenholtz & Associates. Fifty-eight
percent of office workers surveyed were allowed to dress casually for work every day. About 92
percent of offices allowed employees to dress casually occasionally (Sutphin, 2000, 10).
Decline in Trend
The trend to dress casually that started in the early 1990s may be shifting, states Susan
Monaghan (2002, 34):
Although a large number of companies are allowing casual attire ever day only or
Fridays, a current survey revealed a decline of 10 percent in 1999 when compared to the same
survey conducted in1998. Some reports predict the new trend for business dress codes will be a
dress up every week.
What accounts for this decline in companies permitting casual dress? Several reasons
may include:

1. Confusion of what business casual is. Employees may slip into dressing too casually
(work jeans, faded tee-shirts, old sneakers, and improperly fitting clothing).
2. Casual dress does not portray the desired image of the company.
3. Employees are realizing that promotion decision is affected by a professional appearance.
Guidelines for Business Dress
Companies may hire image consultant to teach employees what is appropriate business
casual dress. They help plan the best business attire to project the corporate image. Erica Gilreath
(2000), the author of Casual Dress, a guidebook on business causal, provides excellent advice on
how to dress casually for business success. She presents the following advice:
Do not wear any clothing that is designed for recreational or sports activities, such as
cargo pants with elastic waist.
Press pants, skirts, shirts, and other clothing. Wrinkled clothing does not present a
professional image.
Do not wear sneakers.
Be sure clothing fits properly. Avoid baggy clothes or clothes that are too tight.

In summary, conscientious employees need to plan their dress carefully. If business
casual is appropriate, its best to consult the experts on business to ensure a professional
image.

REFERENCES
Gilreath, Erica. Dressing Casually with Power. http://www.dresscasual.com (23 March 2001)
Monaghan, Susan. Business Dress Codes May Be Shirting. Business Executive, April 2000,
34-35.
Sutphin, Rachel. Your Business Wardrobe Decisions are Important Decisions. Business
Management Journal, January 2000, 10-12.
Tartt, Kelsey. Companies Support Business Casual Dress. Management Success, June 1995,
23-25.