President Trump's return-to-office mandate has many federal employees grappling with their work attire after years of remote work. Personal stylists offer tips on navigating the conservative federal dress code and incorporating professional style with comfort.
Facing President Trump's recent mandate requiring a return to office , many government employees nationwide are once again grappling with the question of how to dress for a five-day workweek at their desks. These RTO mandates coincide with a surge in other private and public organizations calling employees back to the workplace. However, federal fashion has historically leaned towards conservatism compared to typical corporate attire.
Business Insider consulted with three personal stylists who highlighted the limited office attire options available to government workers compared to their counterparts in the private sector. They offered advice on navigating this sartorial landscape.'There is almost zero latitude for personal style in federal government jobs. I think this is where sort of DC gets its reputation for being really boring sartorially,' Kate Breen, a Washington DC-based personal stylist who founded GetDressedGo and has worked with federal employees, told BI. A civil servant at a foreign affairs agency, who requested anonymity due to agency restrictions, described the style as 'funeral director chic.' She has primarily worked remotely since the pandemic, and her identity has been verified by BI.The remote work era has significantly transformed how many employees approach their work attire. Reginald Ferguson, a stylist and founder of New York Fashion Geek, noted that hoodies have become as acceptable as blouses and collared shirts. However, Ferguson emphasized, 'You're not going to see jeans and hoodies' in a government office. 'It's certainly not about originality,' he told BI. Breen observed that, particularly among men, entire crosswalks in DC can resemble a sea of identically dressed individuals. An August report from the Office of Management and Budget revealed that 54% of the nation's 2.28 million civil servants worked fully in person, with only 10% remote as of May.Even for those accustomed to office life, Trump's recent mandates for the federal workforce, coupled with his cost-cutting initiatives as part of the new Department of Government Efficiency, have generated anxiety among employees. This unease is even manifesting in their attire. A federal contractor for a Washington, DC agency told BI, 'People are dressed up. They had nice clothes on. I said, 'Wow!' Because people are worried.' She cited the instance of a colleague who used to wear 'a Mr. Rogers sweater' but has now started wearing a tie. She requested anonymity as she is not authorized to speak openly about her role at a government agency; however, her identity has been verified by BI.For government employees outside of the capital, the dress code leans towards business casual, though still more conservative than corporate attire. Jorian Palos, a California-based Department of Public Social Services worker, shared that her older coworkers tend to dress more formally, while she prefers a more relaxed style for her in-person workweek. Whether they're returning to the office after years of remote work or adapting to a new atmosphere, federal employees are urged to revamp their closets with more business-casual options. 'Anyone returning back to the office should review their wardrobe and remember that they are no longer dressing for a Zoom,' Ferguson advised.Breen suggested that government employees try on all of their clothing and eliminate anything damaged, ill-fitting, or emotionally draining. Both Breen and Ting Lin, another DC-area stylist, recommend investing in one or two well-tailored, dark-colored suits. 'The great thing about suits is that they're not remarkable, so wearing the same or alternating them every other day — people don't really notice,' Breen told BI. Lin and Breen agreed that understated accessories and jewelry can add personality to an otherwise simple outfit. They particularly emphasized that for younger employees, good-quality shoes and bags can enhance their professional image.The DC-area stylists stressed the importance of comfortable shoes. Lin noted a decline in the number of federal employees wearing stilettos to the office, with chunky heels and loafers becoming more prevalent. 'My tolerance for high heels is out the window,' the employee at the foreign affairs agency told BI. 'In terms of heels — low heels, I'm probably only wearing those to specific events or meetings.' When asked if anyone epitomized ideal federal workwear, Lin and Breen unanimously pointed to Michelle Obama. They highlighted how the former first lady expertly blended conservative clothing with distinct personal style. Breen described Obama's attire as both 'appealing and accessible,' recalling her pairing of J.Crew gloves with a designer gown at an inauguration parade.'A lot of my clients reference her regardless of their political affiliation because she did such a great job not completely capitulating to the DC über-conservative expectations and showing her real personality,' she told BI. Tim Paradis contributed to the reporting of this story.
Federal Employees Fashion RTO Dress Code Workwear Michelle Obama Return To Office Washington DC
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