Rather than solving the problem of sloppy workwear by issuing standard suit-and-tie dress codes, experts advise employers to think about dress policies as a reflection of their overall workplace values.
“Just putting together guidelines can be an incredibly useful exercise,” Sherbin said. It helps companies figure out the image they want to convey to their target audience.
Yost suggests that companies should start with their organisational philosophy. For client-facing companies, it helps to look at the image you want to present to clients coming through the door. “If you run a surf shop, it’s OK to wear the shorts and Billabong shirts that you sell there," he said.
Once companies get guidelines in place, they should communicate them as part of more general training, Sherbin said. She suggests starting with employees on their first day. Including dress guidelines in a new employee orientation, for example, stops workplace wear from becoming an issue before it starts.
To reinforce the message, she advises making conversations about dress part of larger discussions around professional behaviour in the workplace. For example, companies can include appearance as part of more holistic leadership trainings for high performers, alongside topics like communication and presence.
“Companies have tried to get away from saying, “do it because it’s in a handbook',” she said. Instead they are giving employees more context around why appearance is important. “Ideally, the message being, ‘if you want to telegraph professionalism, here is how you do it’.”
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