Are Professional Dress Codes At Work Outdated?

In the era of remote work, dress codes seem to be a relic of a bygone era. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, around 32 to 50% of workplaces in the United States had a form of a casual dress code. Outside of fields like law and business, what is the purpose of companies having a strict dress code?

In this piece, I’m exploring if professional dress codes at work are outdated given the changing landscape of modern work. The answer may or may not surprise you.

Productivity?

It can’t be because of productivity because according to Columbia University professor Mike Slepian, “casual clothing makes workers think less abstractly and more concretely.” Slepian also points out that employees who are required to wear formal attire tend to feel more distant and removed from their work.

Cost

Another reason why having a strict dress code is outdated is the cost of putting together an outfit. The cost of an outfit will depend on the industry or environment you are working in. If you are required to wear formal attire, a suit can run you anywhere from $300 to $599 although prices can vary depending on location.

History of Dressing Up

So if dressing “professionally” is expensive and creates distance at the workplace, why do some employers still have a dress code? Starting in the eighteenth century, suits became commonplace at work as a way for male elites to embrace the ideals of the Enlightenment.

In modern times however, suits and other formal dress ware has taken a dip in popularity. This is largely due to the rise of business casual ware that was popularized by companies based in Silicon Valley in the early 1970s.

There has also been the issue of sexism in the workplace as it relates to dress codes. Up until 2019, female flight attendants for Virgin Atlantic were made to wear makeup and had to request to wear pants.

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Racism

There are also times where dress codes can be racist. One example is when a company has a policy that restricts the types of hairstyles allowed at the workplace. This type of policy usually targets people of color who have hairstyles that are deemed “unprofessional”. Thankfully, the U.S House Of Representatives approved the CROWN Act earlier this year, protecting employees from discrimination based on natural hairstyles and hair.

Ways Companies Have Adjusted

Companies have adapted to the changing environment by allowing casual fridays at their offices. There is also the rise in remote work which allows workers to wear sweatpants and other forms of casual clothing. That being said, there is still an expectation to dress nicely for virtual interviews and meetings.

So are dress codes at companies outdated?

From a financial and moral point of view, the answer is yes. The cost of dressing up doesn’t seem to match up with the value produced by workers. Dressing casual is not only more cost effective, but it also allows employees to feel more comfortable in their work space.

With new generations of employees entering the workforce, companies should adapt their dress codes. While there are certain careers where having a dress code makes sense, most companies can do without a formal dress code since it would allow employees to focus less on what they’re wearing to work and more on the actual job.

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Meet The Writer!

Hi, my name is Ian Ward and I am a writer and editor with over five years of experience. I have written articles for publications of varying sizes and have worked on everything from SEO to graphic design. Some articles I have written have received thousands of views online. My ultimate goal as a writer is to write engaging content that readers will share with their friends and family. You can reach out to me on LinkedIn and check out my articles on MuckRack.