With warm weather already here and the promise of more on the way, the subject of what to wear to the office is once again becoming a hot topic. Understandably, people want to be comfortable in the heat and humidity of the summer. However, in their desire to cool down, some people forget that, regardless of the temperature, what they wear to work should always reflect business.
Now is a perfect time for every organization that wants to relax its dress code for the next couple months to put in place a clear policy. Left to their own devices, many employees show more creativity in their dress than any boss could ever imagine.
Business dress is determined by four factors:
1. The industry in which you work.
2. The job you have within that industry.
3. The geographic region in which you live.
4. What your client expects to see.
If you want to implement a casual summer dress policy, make sure it fits your industry. It’s a lot easier for the owner of the bike shop to dress for the weather than it is for the manager of the brokerage house.
The person who works behind the scenes at the office with minimal customer contact has more freedom to dress down than the person who is sitting at the front desk greeting the public.
Geography plays a role in style of clothing and choice of fabric. It’s not just temperature, but overall lifestyle, that affects clothing decisions. People in California routinely dress more casually than people in the East. People in urban areas tend to dress up for the office more so than people in rural communities.
The most important factor to keep in mind when deciding what is appropriate business attire for the summer months is your client. What your clients expect to see when they come to your office or encounter you out at lunch on a workday is key. When the bank employees come to work in polo shirts and khakis or sundresses and sandals, their customers may wonder if the organization has relaxed its approach to handling their money as well.
Although it is hot outside, clients still expect to see professional people dressing the part. Think twice before you or your employees come to work in anything other than the usual business uniform. After all, you are doing the same business in June, July and August that you do September through May.
Lydia Ramsey, author of MANNERS THAT SELL, keynote speaker and seminar leader, is a leading authority on business etiquette and protocol. To sign up for more FREE business etiquette tips, click here.
