Business casual has grown from khakis and button-down shirts to jeans, running shoes and T-shirts. This shift has been driven by companies wanting their team members to look neat and professional and by employees wanting to be comfortable.
The business casual movement started in the 1980s and went mainstream during the tech boom. It has continued to evolve over the years.
History of Business Attire
Business casual is a style of dress that is professional yet relaxed. It originated in the early 2000s, with companies beginning to recognize the need for a dress code that was more accommodating to modern work styles. This trend was largely due to the changing economic climate and the introduction of the internet, which made it easier for employees to stay connected from home.
The business casual look has since evolved to incorporate different trends over the years. Depending on your industry, the rules may vary slightly. For instance, some industries such as finance and law still require a more formal attire. However, other industries such as technology and creative agencies allow for a more relaxed approach to business attire.
In the 1960s, suits and ties were commonplace in traditional American workplaces. The power dressing trend for women also continued into the 1980s with the rise of shoulder pads and towering high heels (Newsweek). By the 1990s, however, the tech boom helped to usher in a more casual dress code with the emergence of Casual Friday and the invention of Dockers.
The invention of the Dockers khaki pant created a new definition of what was considered acceptable for business casual attire. The popularity of this pants prompted Levi’s to publish a “guide to casual businesswear,” which paved the way for businesses to start shifting away from suits and ties.
Corporate Dress Code Evolution
Traditionally, corporate dress codes have been tightly defined and rigidly enforced. However, many companies have found that a more flexible approach is the best way to attract and retain talent in a changing workplace landscape. Embracing business casual dress policies has boosted productivity by making employees feel comfortable and engaged. It also reduces wardrobe expenses by allowing employees to mix and match clothing to meet different needs.
A flexible dress code also aligns with remote work realities. Employees are able to focus on their work without worrying about whether or not they’re dressed appropriately for video conferences. Lastly, casual attire makes it easier to communicate with clients across time zones and cultures.
Some companies, such as law firms and finance companies, still expect their employees to wear business-appropriate attire. However, others are experimenting with less formal dress requirements or even casual Fridays to boost morale and productivity. If you’re considering relaxing your company’s dress code, consider your team’s preferences and the specific needs of each role. It’s also important to clearly define what is considered acceptable, so that your employees can turn to HR if they have any questions or concerns. This will help prevent confusion and minimize the possibility of violations, such as showing up to work in ripped jeans or with inappropriate footwear. This will make the process of changing your dress code much smoother for both you and your team.
Casual Friday Origin
A little-known fact is that the office perk we know as Casual Friday originated in Hawaii. It was started as a way to boost sales of Hawaiian shirts, but the break in dress code https://insidemen.vn/ went nationwide and became the basis for today’s Business Casual Dress Code.
The casual day grew in popularity and, by the early 1990s, companies had started to offer it as a regular employee benefit. The concept caught on with tech companies, where employees were already accustomed to wearing jeans and T-shirts. The trend also accelerated with the introduction of the internet, which made it easier for workers to work from home or remote locations.
As this workplace trend grew, HR managers had to develop guidelines that walked the line between professional and casual attire. Levi’s was aware of this and decided to leverage their brand recognition with a clever marketing campaign. In 1992 they created a guide to business casualwear and sent it to 25,000 HR professionals. This helped save Casual Friday and helped Levi’s khakis become the default business casual look.
While the concept of Casual Friday has grown to be a staple of the modern workplace, it can still be confusing for some employees. Forcing people to wear clothing that makes them uncomfortable leads to declines in productivity, so it’s important to have clear guidelines to ensure that employees remain comfortable while also meeting the expectations of their employer. It’s also important to consider generational differences when forming a casual dress code. Younger employees will likely gravitate towards more casual attire than older staff members.
Modern Business Casual Trends
With the advent of hybrid schedules and remote work, workplace trends have shifted. This change has impacted both men’s and women’s clothing options, creating the era of business casual dress codes that aren’t as formal as traditional suit and tie attire.
While the more relaxed business casual dress code encourages a friendly and approachable work environment, it still requires a level of professionalism. Employers who uphold this dress code will look for employees who have dressed themselves well without crossing the line into too casual wear. This means avoiding shirts with cutout details, midriff-baring shirts and shorts that reveal too much cleavage. Additionally, it is important to avoid overly flashy jewelry and bags.
A shirt that is tailored well and is a solid color or neutral pattern is ideal for the business casual dress code. It is also acceptable to have the sleeves rolled up for a more relaxed appearance. Men may choose to omit a necktie as well.
MaryKathryn McArthur, lead stylist at Short Story, a DTC retailer and personal styling service that helps petite women, believes that the key to navigating the business casual dress code is to remember that it’s that “harmonious balance between a suit set and weekend wear.” Ultimately, this flexible sartorial landscape allows room for individuality and style, while maintaining a professional aesthetic.