I have not contributed to this blog for some
time now, so what better way to start than with a moan!
Something that has been bothering me for a
while is the lack of dress codes; or at least those in existence being upheld properly.
The area that frustrates me the most is dress codes of office environments for almost any company. I fully understand that what you
wear does not (or at least shouldn’t) bear any impact on the work you do. I
offer the very same reason for why dress codes should be enforced or encouraged. If it
doesn’t make a difference then you can still wear a shirt and tie correctly
without it hampering your ability to work. The argument often given against this is comfort.
If wearing a tie in its correct place hurts, your shirt collar is too small. If
your cuffs are cutting the circulation to your hands, use the second button,
wear double cuffs or buy a larger or even a short sleeved shirt.
I know that rolled up
sleeves look better than short sleeves but if you have strangely sweaty
forearms or can’t handle a shirt at the wrist then wear short sleeves. I know
that it looks cool and decidedly better than short sleeves but if you want to look cool then try and perhaps consider a change in employment.
The point of a dress code is to look professional, not cool. Some see it as a
sign that you are working hard. You shouldn’t need to show that you’re working
hard; you should be able maintain a proper look and get on with your job. I’ve
never seen a lady loosen the zip on her dress or unbutton a blouse to show that
she’s working hard.
It’s
quite simple: Buy clothes that fit and wear them properly.
I know the jacket is unlikely to be worn at
the desk, which makes sense as this can be restrictive. Any other covering is
welcome such as a jumper, cardigan or waistcoat as this keeps you looking
professional without creating discomfort.
This does not mean that the jacket should
be ignored. If the dress code is suit and tie then you are expected to wear a
suit jacket, shirt, tie and trousers. People seems to think it’s acceptable to
wear a shirt (often without the top button fastened), tie, trousers and then
any sort of outerwear item on top from parkas to leather jacket, hoodies to
Harringtons. Formal coats are permissible as they look more professional but it
should be a suit jacket.
I also know that some companies are more
“traditional” than others; what I don’t understand is why that means that dress codes should go in more modern ones.
Most offices regardless of what type of business will have codes of conduct so
why would a dress code make any difference? In schools, military, medical and
many other professions uniforms and dress codes exist for practical,
traditional or aesthetic reasons. For offices and other work places, dress codes are much better because they offer the professional qualities or the industries above and they do allow leeway, it’s just that people don’t see it as
such.
This is evident mostly in creative
industries that do not have any dress codes, as if having this sort of boundary
might stifle that creativity in some way. This is folly as suits, shirts and
tie are so varied that there is so much room for your personality to flourish.
This has arguably led to rise of the paradoxical uniform individuality that we
see in causal wear. People think that dress codes inhibit their personal freedom
and expression so they decide their casual wear will be explicitly different
from the multitude. The problem is that other people have thought exactly the
same and ending buying exactly the same check shirt with rolled up sleeves done
up to the top button (the one time it’s actually worn correctly there is no
tie!), the same eyeglasses with ordinary glass (what next a fashionable hearing
aid?), the same skinny jeans worn below their backsides yet still flashing the ankle like Victorian prostitutes and
the same white soled plimsoles with their hair and beards styled into casual
perfection.
I’m not embittered or cynical; quite the
opposite in fact! I am just quite classic (not old fashioned) with my taste in
tailoring and casual wear. I did wear a tweed 3 piece into the office to
subvert the rules but it backfired as no one gave a hoot.
Naturally I expect people to disagree with
this line of thought, so I am happy to receive critiques and other opinions; I just wanted a bit of a moan.
