Liz Elting is a billion-dollar founder, philanthropist, entrepreneur and bestselling author who covers the dynamic intersections of women, business and the evolving workplace.
It’s been so long, it’s almost hard to remember the days when suits, ties, high heels and pantyhose dominated workplace fashion . From the iconic suits of the Mad Men era to shoulder pads and powersuits to the no frills tech CEO uniform , what we wear to work is anything but constant.
Indeed, it’s ever evolving in tandem with the fashion and culture of the times. When this writer started her career in the early 90s, depictions of powerful businesswomen in media helped make skirtsuits the pinnacle of professional attire , 70% of managers reported that workplace etiquette that was unacceptable just a few years ago is now considered acceptable, and over half of hiring managers say the rapid changes are leaving employees confused about proper workplace etiquette. Meanwhile, in a survey by, 82% of workers said they would benefit from a clear dress code; despite this, 43% reported that they had received no guidance at all, and 48% from lower socioeconomic backgrounds say they struggle to navigate what to wear in professional settings.Don’t Hold Down The Ctrl Key—New Warning As Cyber Attacks ConfirmedThis ambiguity can also be particularly challenging for women, who are often faced with exhaustive clothing choices, harsher scrutiny, and unclear and inconsistent expectations . In an exclusive report on workplace dress, professional styling company Style Space found that 91% of working women find it difficult to choose outfits for work events, client meetings and in-person interactions. This isn’t merely a matter of appearances either. Research shows how we dress affects our mood and quality of work. According to the Style Space report, which surveyed over 700 women in the U.S. aged 18 to 75 across mid to large sized companies, 96% of respondents feel more confident in their abilities when they’re also confident in their style. Moreover, 96% of those surveyed believe style is important for productivity, professionalism and leadership advancement. Despite this, the survey found that only 15% of women feel their current style aligns with their leadership aspirations. Confusion over what is and isn’t appropriate to wear to the office may even impact business outcomes. That’s because how employees feel about their professional style can either improve or hinder productivity.from Temple University found that when workers wear clothes they feel good about, they perform better. More specifically, different aspects of worker fashion choices, including aesthetics, conformity and uniqueness, and the symbolic meaning they hold, impact self-esteem as well as task-oriented behaviors like goal progress and interpersonal behaviors like collaboration and social avoidance. It’s not surprising that how we dress impacts how others see us, but it’s noteworthy that it also affects how we see ourselves and consequently, how we perform at work.found that clothing choices impact both in-office and remote workers, with the key to higher productivity being not traditionally professional attire, butattire. Researchers Adam Galinsky, C. Blaine Horton and Erica Bailey found that “clothing choices, even for remote workers, are psychologically and organizationally impactful.” Notably, they observed benefits from what they termed “enclothed harmony,” which describes whether clothing choices are consistent with the context in which they’re worn. That is, employees are more productive when wearing office attire at the office and more casual home attire when working from home. Discussing the importance of context and authenticity in an, the researchers said their findings “reinforce the need to think carefully about clothes,” concluding that when employees feel dressed like themselves, they’re more productive and engaged. Similarly, Style Space CEO and Founder Jenny Eversole notes, “A well-defined dress code that balances professionalism with individual expression fosters confidence, strengthens the company's image, and creates a positive and productive work environment.” Despite the purported benefits of authenticity, many employees report feeling like they can’t dress like themselves at work. In the Creative Access study, 59% of Black respondents expressed fears that dressing authentically or wearing their hair naturally would have negative repercussions for their careers. Moreover, workers from a variety of backgrounds said they felt pressure to change their appearance at work. The research makes clear that what we wear to work does matter; putting thought and effort into it may even help set you up for success. But a return to the office dress code of the past isn’t the answer. What’s considered professional attire should move beyond the limited confines of suits, slacks and blazers. Incorporating and embracing authentic personal style is in the best interest of workers and businesses alike. While individuality and daring sartorial choices were traditionally deemed a distraction, research is proving otherwise. So whether you feel your best in a no-nonsense uniform, tapping into your inner Elle Woods, or going full, why not embrace it? Fashion sense and business sense aren’t mutually exclusive, and business leaders can set their employees and their businesses up for greater success by creating clear, thoughtful guidelines that make room for and encourage authenticity.Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language or threats of any kindContinuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejectedAttempts or tactics that put the site security at riskProtect your community.
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