Seeking Dress Code Ideas: What Office Attire Works Best for Both Men and Women?

Hi Friends,

I am a soft skills trainer working for an IT company. I want to design a dress code format for my employees. Please suggest what dress codes they can wear to the office (Males/Females). Also, please advise if females can wear any bottoms other than denim materials to the office on weekdays. For example, can they wear cargo pants with a kurti top to the office? Your prompt response is highly appreciated.

Thanks in Advance,
Chamu

Dear Chamu,

I think you can go ahead with your idea of a dress code as mentioned by you. Allowing females to wear Cargo with Kurta or Salwar tops will not make much of a difference because only a few of them might do this on some days. Moreover, we don't have any dress code in legal terms; it's all that we do to have a certain kind of discipline in the working environment.

I would suggest formal attire for the first four days, and Friday/Saturday can be casual if your employees work six days a week.

Hope this will help you come to a certain conclusion. Let us know what your final decision is.

Regards,
Amith R.

Hi Amith,

Thanks for your suggestions. I am planning to implement one in my office too. I will reply to you once I set the dress code in my office. ASAP.

Thanks yaar.

Regards,
Chamu

Suit them up!

Too many organizations are actually suffering losses in productivity due to an indirect but noticeable connection between dress codes and bottom-line profits. The purveyors of business casual clothing would have you believe otherwise; however, this just isn't the case. Casual attire of any kind in a professional office is unacceptable. Therefore, both women and men should be suited for service!

Men:
- Business suit
- Long-sleeve pressed dress shirt
- Tie - cinched, always
- Formal dress shoes
- Dark dress socks

Women:
- Business suit; preferably skirted, but tailored pant suits can be considered minimum acceptable attire
- Business dresses; well-constructed and tailored
- Hosiery
- Dress pumps; heels of at least 2" in height, but no more than 3"

All:
Colors should be subdued and professional!

That's it. Discipline will breed productivity, so slip those arms into navy sleeves, slide those feet into some polished shoes, and impress the hell out of your clients.

-Jason Roland

Hi,

If it is a 5-day workweek, then Monday to Thursday (formal) includes trousers and shirts for men, and for females: trousers, shirts, kurta, pajama, and kurta and trousers. On Friday (casual day), they can wear jeans and a top, but the top should not be sleeveless, have a deep neckline, etc. It should be decent. Do not allow capris, shorts, or dhoti in the office.

Hi Chamu,

I have recently published this policy in my organization. It is plain and simple yet specific. I hope this will be helpful to you.

Regards,
Swapna

Hi!

We are a software development company. We maintain a business casual/casual working attire.

Appropriate to wear to the office

Men:
- Full/half-sleeved shirt
- Trousers
- Formal shoes (black/brown/tan)
- Jeans
- T-shirt
- Sport shoes

Women:
- Salwar/churidar Kameez
- Business Western Formals
- Jeans
- T-shirts
- Sandals
- Formal shoes

Inappropriate to wear

Men:
- Cargo pants
- Six-pocket trousers
- Sneakers
- Chappals
- Floaters

Women:
- Sundress, strap outfits, etc.
- 3/4 lengths
- Low waists
- Short dresses
- Slippers
- Fancy sandals

Employees are required to dress smartly using their best judgment in wearing attire that is appropriate for the office and customer interaction.

Hope the above details help!