Fashion freedoms in business — when is it acceptable to relax the business dress code?
At last, you have made it! You have successfully mastered job interviews in your business outfit, the employment contract has been signed, and your first few days at work are already behind you. Throughout all these steps, your individual bespoke suit was your constant and faithful companion. But now that you have arrived in the daily office routine, do suit and tie still remain part of the indispensable business dress code? Or could a man actually relax his dress code a little once he has gained a foothold in business?
The key lies in the expectations of the person opposite you
To answer this question about the business dress code, you should definitely start with the expectations of the person opposite you. Do you meet with important business partners or clients on a daily basis? If this is the case, there are often certain notions about the appropriate business dress code. A lawyer, for example, would hardly appear at a meeting with a company’s board of directors in jeans and a T-shirt. If you do not meet the expectations of your business contacts because you have relaxed the business dress code somewhat, the person opposite you may transfer this to your professional abilities: carelessness in the outfit means carelessness in business — an impression you certainly do not want to create! Show through your outfit, too, that you take your role and tasks in business seriously. When choosing the appropriate business dress code, therefore, always ask yourself: what impression do I want to make on the person opposite me? What does my counterpart expect of me in business, and how can I underscore my position with the right business dress code? Orient yourself here on the company culture and what colleagues and superiors wear. As a general rule, a higher-ranking person should always be dressed slightly better than his employees.
The first impression remains decisive
As you can see, even if you have been working at a company for some time, it can be problematic if you unilaterally relax the business dress code. Even in the daily office routine, you must continue to make first impressions on new clients and business partners. A smarter and above all flawless business outfit is the better choice here. For men, a perfectly fitting suit, for example in anthracite or dark blue, therefore belongs on the list of must-haves. In addition, even a previously made positive first impression can quickly be reversed if you unilaterally relax the business dress code and appear underdressed at meetings. Of course you also want to continue signalling your competence to your superior and to preserve your position — and you can additionally support this by complying with the business dress code.
Further reading
Are you interested in further tips on how to make a lasting first impression? Read on here
If you are looking for the perfect business look, this article may also interest you.
Looking for an individual bespoke suit for a lasting first impression? Please feel free to get in touch.
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