Casual Dress Codes for the Summer

Posted by: Staff Editor
In: Fashion and Retail

Does dressing down in the summer decrease overall productivity?

The summer months often allow for more relaxed dress codes in offices and for some employers defining a specific dress code may be difficult. Giving employees the option to dress down at work allows for a more comfortable work environment and saves employees time and money. Also, it has been proven by successful companies such as Microsoft, that a casual dress code and work environment can still provide optimum results for a company. Many argue that a professional dress code will create increased productivity but that is not always the case.

Business casual can often times be difficult to strictly define, and when guidelines are not implemented some issues may develop in the workplace. Generally speaking, business casual refers to dressing professionally, yet allowing for a relaxed, neat and comfortable appearance. Common sense should allow employees to assume shorts, low-cut shirts, halter or tube tops, ratty jeans and T-shirts to be saved for a picnic or day at the beach. However, it is the employer’s responsibility to provide a dress code to prevent any inappropriate attire in the workplace.

Even some of the most formal workplaces now institute a "casual Friday" policy for the hot, summer months. Just how casual one can dress does of course depend on the company you are working for. Jeans, sneakers and flip flops are becoming more widely accepted in the tech savvy, internet age of companies, where face to face interaction with clients is rare. However, this attire is seen as inappropriate even for casual attire in a more formal corporate setting.

As acceptable forms of summer business-casual attire may vary from job to job, it is important to get to know the fashion sense of your particular workplace. Asking the Human Resources department for specific guidelines and implementing one if it does not yet exist is very important to prevent any controversy over what people wear to work. Often times the easiest thing to do is look around at what everyone in the office is wearing and take into consideration your role in the company including who you interact with throughout the day.

Comments

#1
Posted by: Anne
On: 07/02/2007 22:08:22

"Jeans, sneakers and flip flops are becoming more widely accepted in the tech savvy, internet age of companies, where face to face interaction with clients is rare. However, this attire is seen as inappropriate even for casual attire in a more formal corporate setting."....isn't the year 2007? I find that I am MUCH more comfortable at work if I don't have to worry about getting dirty (spilled drinks, etc.) - plus, not being too cold/hot during my commute. Being at ease helps me be more productive and ENTHUSIASTIC about coming to work; therefore increasing my energy and willingness to work harder! One of my questions on interviews is ALWAYS "what is the dress code?" Individuals are also much more less likely to be "stuck up" and prone to micro management if they come across as REAL PEOPLE (who wear jeans, flip flops, tee shirts, sneakers, etc.) - BUT, PLEASE KEEP YOUR ATTIRE CLEAN, NEAT, NO HOLES - USE COMMON SENSE!! Comments, anyone?

#2
Posted by: Howard S. Sample
On: 07/02/2007 22:20:16

I liked the article on casual dress in the workplace, such as on Fridays during the summer. I could not agree more that employers should set guidelines for just how far "down" employees can dress.I remember a place I worked at which allowed "dressing down" on Fridays year-round---not just during the summer. When I started there in a January, dress-down days seemed all right to me ....at first. But then starting around April, things like shorts, sandals, and tacky T-shirts started becoming more noticeable. By mid-May, the office looked almost like a beach party on Fridays. That was the month I left---and I could not help but think what the office would look like in the summer on really hot days. The moral of that story was that employees should dress on casual Fridays like it's indeed Friday----not Saturday or Sunday. There's a difference....Howard S. SampleToledo

#3
Posted by: Morgan Avery
On: 07/02/2007 22:26:58

Excellent article. I live in south Florida where it is "summertime" all the time. Since moving here 25 years ago, I am amazed at the lax standards for business attire in the majority of employees I see on a daily basis. I am especially disappointed in many people who come in for interviews or even to fill out job applications. I was always taught that first impressions are lasting ones and anyone who comes to an interview in flip-flops and jeans gives the impression they are not really serious workers. Once employed, casual can be obtained with neat khaki pants and short sleeve polo or button down cotton square tailed shirt for men. A neat summer skirt and plain well fitting t-shirt or short sleeve cotton blouse and cropped or long slacks can be acceptable. Even nice jeans can be dressed up to look professional. Tank tops, midriff shirts, t-shirts with advertisements or cartoon characters and worn jeans are for your days off! Those items worn to work say "I dont care".

#4
Posted by: Patricia Stevens
On: 07/03/2007 05:10:23

You're absolutely right about summer wardrobe. I believe comfortable dress down attire adds to productivity. I worked for an organization that allowed shorts (not short shorts!), t-shirts, tennis shoes and sandals in the summer. Employess were so grateful for the opportunity to be comfortable during the hot summer months. It allowed us to "forget" the stigma attached to "dressing up" for work and allowed us to be comfortable and in turn, increased productivity. Most people commented on how little time it took to "get ready" for work and how great it was to save wear and tear on their better clothes and dry cleaning bills. I found that by being so comfortable (and still very presentable)I performed job tasks at a faster pace than when "dressed up". I've never been one who likes to "dress up" and I know that I have lots of company when it comes to opinions on work attire. We want to be presentable, but being comfortable absolutely adds motivation in the workplace.

#5
Posted by: willieforlife33@yahoo.com
On: 07/03/2007 06:31:25

This is a very good article. It speaks a lot of truth having been working in the work force for the last 30 years, I know that the dress codes have changed for the offices, schools and private companies. My personal belief is that we should give our youger crowd something to live up to. For example in the high schools, students should be taught how to go on a job inerview and how to dress for the office. I still believe, that according to the way you are dressed, you are given more respect. I've tried it myself, it works. If you wear a suit people perceive you as some sort of authority figure and you will be respected. I've taught as a substitute teacher in all grades. I found out that the kids did not want you to be like them , as far as dressing like the students, they had more respect for authority if you did not try to be like them. If you wear a suit or some type of decent casual dress students will still respect you. Also in the office world. If people see you dress in low cut dresses or hot pants, they think you're selling something or advertising. If you aren't selling don't advertise. Lets go back to the old standard of office dress--suits!

#6
Posted by: Jack
On: 07/03/2007 06:49:56

I find that for many young ladies "business casual" means excessive exposure. I find it, at times, uncomfortable and distracting to talk business in this environment. Young women should realize that "business casual" doesn't mean compete with Brittany Spears or attract a boyfriend. I am 60 years old and hardly in the dating pool anymore, if they want to strip at the beach, great. But, don't unintentionally do it for me at work!

#7
Posted by: Marirose
On: 07/03/2007 16:25:28

If I paid more attention to articles that are of value such as this, I would have saved myself some stress and maybe possibly a job. I skipped an interview at a major bank because I couldn't find suitable business attire. Mind you I live in Phoenix where its now reaching 116 degrees and I did not want to dress up "too much". Eventually I did land a job but I'm still up in arms about what to wear in such fierce heat.

#8
Posted by: nusta
On: 07/04/2007 13:33:37

This article was written for me. I can relate so much to it. I just got hired in a company where the dress code is business casual. I remember that when I went for my second interview, the site manager showed me the settings and introduced me to some of the employees, here I had the chance to get an idea about the dress code "business casual" but I thought to myself, they look too relax. So when I had the chance to look at the rules and regulations and the dress code, some employees were dressed that way because of the time they been working for the company, because the dress code stated "no flip flops, no shorts, and no halter tops”. So what did I do...I run to the Mall and bought myself a wardrobe that is business casual and is also appropriate because I don’t want to be tempted by other people's images. I think it is very important to keep a professional image at all times since you never know, when you going to meet with the boss and impressions are an ever lasting memory.

#9
Posted by: len smith
On: 07/05/2007 20:52:53

I have to second, Morgan Avery above who said: Once employed, casual can be obtained with neat khaki pants and short sleeve polo or button down cotton square tailed shirt for men. A neat summer skirt and plain well fitting t-shirt or short sleeve cotton blouse and cropped or long slacks can be acceptable.---------------It used to be a thing to dress up, make a fashion statement every day of the week. Even on casual days people should take into consideration, the workplace is a place of business and dress demeanor should reflect that.

#10
Posted by: S. Megan Payne
On: 07/06/2007 12:16:33

As a creative professional very sensitive to temperature, I still find it important to always look professional. In my work in portrait photography and design, I learned that good professional and comfortable attire for females was often all black or navy clothing, neatly pressed, preferably slacks, matching colored socks, and comfortable flats. It took me approximately ten minutes to get dressed for work. I am STILL more productive when I wear this clothing than when I wear anything more casual. If you wear the same clothes for business every day it signals the mind 'work-mode' when you put them on.