How to Dress-Down...not Let-Down

RAJU PURSWANI. THRIVE MAGAZINE. 2nd EDITION – APRIL 2024

A dress down policy (or lack of it) can leave you and your organisation's image in tatters - here's how to avoid it.

In an increasingly digital work environment where we have more emails, WhatsApp messages & interruptions than ever before, many business leaders started looking at ways of alleviating the stress that comes with this increased workload. Relaxing the dress code and letting your team dress in more casual clothing is one way of doing this....or is it?

Dressing casually comes with a plethora of choices that you don't have to contend with when dressing formally for work. You swap the simple suit, shirt and tie combo for chino and shirt, or will it be jeans and a polo shirt?

The permutations are endless. Worse still, these choices need to be made first thing in the morning! Barack Obama famously had all his suits made in the same style and only in shades of navy & grey - just so he didn't have to waste any headspace on fashion choices.

However you decide to dress, the fact remains that your peers, colleagues and clients will all form an opinion of you (and your professionalism) based on your appearance. In a small community like Gibraltar, this not only applies to the workplace environment, but outside it too. When you pop out for an errand, people will not only judge you but also the organisation you work for, often depending on how you present yourself.

With a little bit of foresight, understanding and discipline you can ensure that you create the right impression that will value all your hard work. Here are a few guidelines to help you along the way:

Comfort

Try and use natural fabrics which are breathable. Make sure your garments are not too fitted - you're going to work, not a night club! The need for comfort does not extend to wearing ultra-baggy clothing, which tends to make you look unkempt.

Take care of the details

No point in spending a fortune on a designer outfit and wear it with scuffed shoes. Check your personal appearance too- your hairstyle, facial hair, nails...all these trivial details are sending out signals to people about who you are!

Other things to keep an eye on are hem & sleeve lengths - too long and you'll look dishevelled, or you've bought a size too big.

If it's spoiled, it's time to say goodbye

Don't wear something that has tears, is broken, worn out or dirty. If it can be fixed, by all means do that. If it can't, then it's time to replace it. And be ruthless- your work clothes should be a professional asset, not a well- loved pet!

No shouting please!

Your work attire should never have prominent logos, loud colours or patterns. Similarly, your clothing should not reveal too much skin or be too tight.

Pay attention to your collar

A collared item such as a shirt or a polo shirt generally feel like a more professional garment, but they need care. If you decide on wearing a garment without a collar, make sure the neckline isn't crumpled.

Care for a friend

Your work attire is a personal asset - care for them! My personal recommendation is to rotate all your garments and footwear, so they can "rest". All these items get stretched by our bodies, not wearing them day after day gives them time to return to their shape.

This may seem like an extensive list, but once you get into the habit, you'll run through all these checks in a matter of seconds daily. I suggest to most of my clients to have a work uniform - items that you keep just for work and are located in a separate part of your wardrobe. This will cut down on time wasted rifling through all your clothes every single morning. Try and make sure that most of the pieces will combine with each other.

For example, don't buy a shirt that will only match one trouser - otherwise you're always stuck with the same combination. The easiest way to achieve this is by having several neutral colours-both in tops and bottoms.

These are just a few pointers at how to achieve and support a look that is relaxed, yet professional. At Marble Arc, we've been dressing individuals and groups for 35 years. If you, or your organisation, require help in formulating a dress code that matches your values and aspirations, then email me raju@marblearc.com to get the conversation started.

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