Business casual is driven by the first generation of children who were raised by parents that experienced the casualization of America in the 60s. These children were the first to go through school without dress codes while watching their parents go to work with the same guidelines. Managing your appearance no longer was necessary education and thus the decline of proper dress. It is becoming apparent that the value of clothing needs to be reestablished as many people have lost sight of using our appearance to aid in achieving goals.
I am not against dressing down per say, I simply believe there is a lack of structure needed to keep coworkers on a level playing field. If we are left unguided in what is appropriate, and what you grabbed off the bedroom floor this morning, then what’s to stop us from subconsciously relaying the same carefree attitude to our job performance?
I recently spoke with a gentleman concerned that casual Fridays would lead to clients coming into his professional business getting an unprofessional first impression. No need to reiterate upon first impressions. I think that is what most people tend to neglect when arguing that casual dress in the workplace is acceptable.
It is ultimately up to the decision makers, the so called leaders of the company to remind their employees of our parent’s old adage of “Do as I say, not as I do.” There is no arguing with success but many of us have not achieved it yet, therefore the need for us to maintain a professional appearance is detrimental to achieving our professional goals.
“Dress for the position you desire, not the position you are in.”
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
BUSINESS CASUALTY
Business casual is driven by the first generation of children who were raised by parents that experienced the casualization of America in the 60s. These children were the first to go through school without dress codes while watching their parents go to work with the same guidelines. Managing your appearance no longer was necessary education and thus the decline of proper dress. It is becoming apparent that the value of clothing needs to be reestablished as many people have lost sight of using our appearance to aid in achieving goals.
I am not against dressing down per say, I simply believe there is a lack of structure needed to keep coworkers on a level playing field. If we are left unguided in what is appropriate, and what you grabbed off the bedroom floor this morning, then what’s to stop us from subconsciously relaying the same carefree attitude to our job performance?
I recently spoke with a gentleman concerned that casual Fridays would lead to clients coming into his professional business getting an unprofessional first impression. No need to reiterate upon first impressions. I think that is what most people tend to neglect when arguing that casual dress in the workplace is acceptable.
It is ultimately up to the decision makers, the so called leaders of the company to remind their employees of our parent’s old adage of “Do as I say, not as I do.” There is no arguing with success but many of us have not achieved it yet, therefore the need for us to maintain a professional appearance is detrimental to achieving our professional goals.
“Dress for the position you desire, not the position you are in.”
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4 comments:
I would enjoy hearing from others regarding the "sloppy dress equals sloppy service" debate. I at least have a preconceived notion when I enter a casually-dressed business and look for poorer service. I am rarely disappointed. Now, something like Radio Shack is a different situation than a restaurant or a clothing store, but professionalism is what it is.
Comments?
Neil
Working with men's dress clothing I can contest that dressing down is becoming much more prevalent than dressing up. The other day I was helping a customer decide what to wear under a sport coat for an important meeting. When he had trouble choosing from his options he stated to his wife, "I don't think I'll wear a coat, why should I change who I am just to impress these people." My answer, "respect." Are you asking something from the people your working with? Most of us are, whether in the office working with colleagues to finish a project, or at a retail store selling someone socks, you need something from others to be successful. Doing business is not about expressing your individuality it's about doing business, and if by dressing up you are more likely to gain or show respect then why not dress up? Not only does it show that you take pride in what you do, but it shows your customers/colleagues that you respect them as well.
SFC RET Tony Husen commented via email:
You hit it right on the mark....I experienced this when I transitioned from the Army as you know from phone conversations.
Meredith Beck of Bright Ideas replied via email:
I agree whole heartedly. I shared with my boss and she loved what you had to say.
thanks, Ross!
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