For many professionals, a dressier code means updating their wardrobes. Some companies work with retailers to refine their dress codes and help their employees make the transition. New York City-based business clothier Brooks Bros. holds seminars and fashion shows for firms with employees who are confused about new dress guidelines. In addition, about 200 companies take part in the retailer's Corporate Imaging Program, which provides a 20% shopping discount. For employees going from a casual dress code to a formal one or looking for work in the current environment, here are a few tips:
• Build on what you own. "Look in your closet and see what you have," says Geri Corrigan, director of public relations at Brooks Bros. For men, "It's easy to update your wardrobe with shirts and ties," and "women can update with sweaters and scarves."
• Stick with the basics. Corrigan recommends investing in 100% wool suits in neutral colors such as navy, gray, or black, which can take you through three seasons. Also, pay attention to fit. "Classic, but current" is the goal, she says.
• Get help. If you're unsure of what to wear, ask a knowledgeable salesperson or someone whose style you admire.
With more and more employees leaving suits on their hangers to don jeans for work, some employers are wondering whether "casual Fridays" have gone too far. Frustrated by workers' inappropriate office attire, some companies are shelling out thousands of dollars to bring wardrobe consultants into the workplace to enlighten employees about the dos and don'ts of corporate fashion. Employers are even teaming up with retailers to offer corporate clothing discounts and spending allowances to help motivate employees to put the "business" back in "business casual. “The business casual trend originated about 10 years ago in Silicon Valley, Calif., during the dot-com boom and gradually spread to other industries around the country, observers say. While the relaxing of workplace dress codes makes employees happy, it can be a double-edged sword for companies, according to Jill Bremer, a professional image coach and the owner of Oak Park, Ill.-based Bremer Communications.
Once companies break loose of the confines of the traditional suit, Ms. Bremer said, an increased number of clothing options creates more room to make mistakes. "Business casual is especially hazardous for women," she noted.” People show up looking too sloppy, or too provocative, especially in the summer time," Mary Lou Andre, president of Organization by Design, a Needham, Mass.-based wardrobe management and fashion-consulting firm, observed. “The pendulum is definitely swinging back to a more-conservative style of dress in the workplace," Ms. Andre noted. Indeed, there are some indications that employers are cutting back on casual dress codes. According to the Alexandria, Va.-based Society for Human Resource Management's 2004 Benefits Survey-an annual study compiling data about company-sponsored benefits-57% of employers that responded sanctioned at least one casual dress day per week in 2004, down slightly from 60% of employers allowing that option in 2001. While causal dress was acceptable any day of the week among 51% of companies responding to the survey in 2001, slightly fewer-48%-permitted it in 2004.
One way organizations are trying to prompt employees to improve their on-the-job look is by hosting wardrobe seminars, in which consultants give guidelines for business casual dressing, offer tips on selecting office-appropriate clothing and underscore the impact appearance can have on business. "It really helps for them to hear it from somebody from the outside, who can be objective and be the messenger," said Ms. Bremer, who has several regular corporate clients who invite her to conduct presentations for employees once or twice a year. On average, such seminars run between one and three hours, consultants say, with costs ranging anywhere between $1,000 and $4,000. Corporate business has grown exponentially over the past few years, they say, with typical clients being banks, real estate companies, pharmaceutical companies and law firms, among others. Many of the criticisms about inappropriate work wear are echoed among bosses. With female employees, they complain, the problems include revealing clothing, a lack of hosiery and open-toed shoes; with male employees, the problems include wrinkled and overly laid-back clothing. Moreover, employers are concerned that employees who are lazy about their appearance may approach their work in a similar manner, the consultants say.
Currently, more than 1,000 companies participate in the corporate discount, with about 155,000 employees enrolled. "We average about a 22% to a 26% participation rate" among companies that join, said Mr. Moseman, who noted, "reactivation rates have been very strong." Companies that are either corporate discount members or are in the process of joining the program also have available to them the option of free seminars, hosted by an RBA representative, on workplace dress for employees. Smaller companies may hold the seminars in one of the representative's stores while larger organizations can arrange for the seminars to be held in their own places of business.
Reference:
Companies enlighten workers to corporate fashion. By: Parekh, Rupal, Business Insurance, 00076864, 6/20/2005, Vol. 39, Issue 25
Crosby, Betsy. Atlanta, Jan2008 Supplement, Vol. 47, p32-35, 3p, 3c;
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