When imagining a business dress code, most people will describe a man or woman dressed in a formal suit in dark shades, without unnecessary details, perhaps even carrying a large leather briefcase. To some extent the image is true. Many lawyers, bankers and other office workers prefer to dress this way. But the office dress code is completely different. It all depends on the scope of services that the employee provides.
How do they dress in Russian and Western companies?
The first understanding of corporate clothing style came after the collapse of the USSR. At that time, foreign companies began actively capture the domestic market and impose norms of behavior on employees joining their ranks.
According to the new office style, men had to dress exclusively in business suits in dark shades, combined with classic light-colored shirts and discreet ties. Girls were asked to choose a strict trouser suit or a two-piece with a skirt, complemented with a strict blouse in light colors and flesh-colored tights.The shoes were supposed to be classic - leather shoes with low heels.
That is why in our imagination the image of a “business” person has formed as strict and boring, made in dark colors and without unnecessary decorative details. Office style completely prohibits people from taking any liberties in clothing. For women, blouses with a deep neckline, miniskirts, and bright makeup are prohibited. Both sexes are prohibited from wearing denim and sneakers to work.
Important! According to Western bosses, this style of clothing initially made it clear to the client that the employee treated him with respect, thereby instilling trust in the visitor. The employee was perceived as a serious and responsible person.
Before the adoption of Western pedantry and rigor, Russian companies took some liberties, but most employees still dressed quite modestly. The introduced dress code only infringed on the rights of workers, creating too strict limits for them.
In some Russian companies, it is customary to adhere to a strict clothing style, wearing a classic white top and black bottom. But as a small indulgence and a “day off” in the middle of the work week, it is allowed to change the strict image in favor of a slightly brighter outfit. Managers make this concession in order to somewhat defuse the atmosphere in the office.
Dress codes at Google and Facebook offices
Most well-known companies have a dress code as recommendations. Which employees unquestioningly and strictly follow. For example, Google does not have an officially approved uniform. The main thing, in the opinion of management, is that the employee matches the appearance of the position held.
However, there are also some points on which it is recommended to abandon some details or complement the image.In particular:
- the manager advises leaving jewelry at home; an expensive watch or ring should not distract from work or attract undue attention from clients;
- top managers and sales specialists should always wear high-quality, expensive clothes and comfortable Ecco shoes;
- ordinary employees are allowed to wear whatever they want, even UGG boots and baseball caps, as long as the work is done efficiently and on time.
Important! Such recommendations seem quite reasonable, because top managers communicate with the company’s management and partners. Their appearance is one of the criteria according to which the face of the company is formed. The situation is similar with sales department specialists. Clients must see a neat and neutrally dressed employee in order to trust him with their wishes.
Employees of the social network Facebook have no dress code at all. Here everyone wears what suits them to work. The company has a whole town at its disposal, where employees practically live. Lots of entertainment, opportunities to eat deliciously, a huge number of locations where inspiration can come - everything is here.
Tesla, HP, Samsung dress codes
Many famous companies have recently switched to an informal style of clothing, trying not to burden employees and give them some freedom of action. Strict suits are only expected during important negotiations, when the importance of the event needs to be emphasized.
Thus, the South Korean company Samsung recently allowed people to deviate from the strictly office style and wear open T-shirts, summer trousers and shorts in the hot months. Sandals and flip-flops have also become available to Samsung employees.
HP, on the other hand, recently introduced strict rules requiring all employees to wear dress suits and a strict dress code. All sports paraphernalia, such as baseball caps or shorts, as well as numerous jewelry are prohibited.
Something similar has always existed at Tesla. Elon Musk himself prefers to always wear classic suits, trousers and shirts, demanding the same from his employees and even, often, from clients. There is no place for sporty style or vague everyday looks in the company's premises.
The most unusual uniform of flight attendants
Originally flight attendants their duties were similar to that of loaders. Today they are the decoration of the flight, they are pleasant to look at, and the unobtrusive care for each passenger attracts the company’s clients even more to them. Famous fashion designers work on the corporate style of each airline. The clothes of flight attendants are designed more carefully: after all, they are the ones who communicate directly with customers.
The most unusual uniforms of flight attendants are:
- Hooters Air (the airline, which no longer exists today, was the first to introduce flight attendant costumes into its corporate dress code, which were more suitable for waitresses - and the whole point is that the main business of the company owner was restaurant, and the first flight attendants were restaurant employees);
- Gulf Air (in order to comply with Muslim traditions, women here are dressed in trouser suits, which is very unusual for conductors, and light scarves are also attached to the headdresses, which can formally cover the girl’s face);
- Thai Airways (the flight attendants here, like exotic flowers, are dressed in bright long dresses that cover them from the neck to the tips of the toes);
- Air India (the outfit of a flight attendant from India is no different from the everyday look of any woman in this country - a familiar sari, made in the company’s colors);
- Aerosur (Bolivian flight attendants look like they just stepped off the catwalk: long dresses paired with high-heeled sandals and lots of jewelry).
Every company tries to create maximum work convenience for its employees. But some companies try to “keep their face” and set strict limits regarding dress code at work. Which of them is right and which is wrong is up to the employee of these companies to decide. Working for a reputable company is sometimes worth it to be patient and adapt to the style of the company.
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