How Remote Work Reshaped Business Fashion 

Recent years have seen huge shifts in workplace fashion. The strict formal dress codes requiring business suits and shoes have relaxed, making room for more varied styles. While this shift was underway before the COVID-19 pandemic, more employees working full-time from home accelerated the changes and trends that altered workplace dress codes. The balance has once again tipped away from standard dress codes and toward employee comfort, creative expression, and practicality. This has the most influence in today’s workplace.

About a decade ago, many businesses still had strict dress codes, especially in more traditional industries like finance, law, consulting, and management. Many businesses still believed professional attire was a direct reflection of someone’s competence, authority, and reliability. Casual dress standards were seen as more positive, but they still required employees to dress business formal. Success and professionalism were still synonymous with formal suits and professional business dresses.

Workplace dress codes were most certainly beginning to shift. More relaxed workplace cultures were seen in businesses that adopted workplace tech and in more casual start-ups. The shift was toward business comfort and practicality. Formal suits were being substituted for dress chinos, blazers, smart shirts, polo shirts, blouses, or even stylish, comfortable shoes. The shift reflected a cultural movement towards work-life balance and a flexible workplace, and it was recognized that formal dress was not an integral part of workplace productivity.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the evolution of business fashion. The closing of offices worldwide meant formal office dress codes became irrelevant. Video calls replaced formal meetings and made dressing up less important. Many employees changed suits and dress shoes for jumpers, hoodies, leggings, and trainers.

Remote work changed how employees viewed their work clothes. Because of the virtual meetings, only the upper half of a person’s outfit was viewable. So workplace dress codes became less strict. While some employees still dressed business formal from the waist up, many preferred to dress formally for meetings and then comfortably for the rest of the workday. There were many variations of the phrase “business formal” on the upper half and “casual” on the lower half.

Remote work left many employers wondering about the purpose and goals of a workplace dress code. Many companies realized that employees were able to do their jobs well, communicate effectively, and behave professionally; all without having a strict dress code. Because of this realization, many companies write less formal dress codes or eliminate workplace dress codes. Employees were evaluated based on their performance, not on how they looked.

Today, trends show that casual clothing is becoming the norm; however, personal pride is highly considered in workplace clothing choices. Casual clothing is not an excuse to become unkempt. Casual clothing can still provoke a sense of professionalism. Dressing well separates the workplace from personal life. Stereotypically, men’s workplace clothing consists of a blazer and dress pants. However, workplace clothing choices can include a men’s designer shirt, which is highly comfortable and considered professional.

Business attire can be even more casual due to new hybrid work routines. Business attire can now be worn during personal time at home. Smart casual clothing can be used in the workplace to be professional and comfortable.

Business clothing has changed a great deal from a uniform to a personal wardrobe choice over the last ten years; however, personal pride and self-respect are still considered important in workplace attire. Even when work routines change to allow people to work from home, personal clothing choices will still promote confidence and a sense of professionalism.