Most places of business, including pubs and clubs, will have some kind of dress code that they expect their employees abide by. As a representative of the company, there will be a stricter expectation on standards of dress, in order to show a more formal appearance. For corporate clothing, UK companies usually expect employees to wear the uniform supplied or to wear a suit of some kind. If a person works in an office, there will be little reason for them to wear a uniform unless it is expected. They are more likely to be asked to wear ‘suitable business attire, ‘ meaning smart trousers and a collared shirt with a tie.
Dress to Impress
If you are going on a job interview, you will want to wear something smart and reasonably formal to show your professionalism. Turning up for an interview in jeans and a polo shirt with tennis shoes is not going to cut it, even if there is no particular dress code for that business. You will be expected to observe proper business wear regardless of the nature of the job you are applying for. Always polish your shoes too because they will show you care about your appearance from head to toe. This might not seem significant, but to an employer it could represent your conscientiousness and dedication to work, which could, in turn, tip the scales in your favour.
Semi-Formal and Formal
There are many differences in the types of dress codes we, as people observe every day. For formal occasions, including weddings and club dinners, a white or black tie tuxedo, a tail suit morning suit will be worn. Ladies might be expected to wear a hat or a ball gown or other type of formal dress wear, or suit.
Semi-formal occasions include nights out at the opera, theatre, a charity affair or special awards evening. It will still include the wearing of a tie but not necessarily a bow-tie.
Informal dress codes might involve wearing a casual sports jacket and shirt, but there is no need for a tie. Semi-casual attire includes khakis and a shirt and casual shoes, and casual wear can be anything from jeans and a tee shirt to a pair of shorts and a vest.
Dress code for management and directors
If you are in business as a CEO or director, you will often be expected to wear a nice business suit for most of your meetings and conferences. However, this is not always the case. The important consideration with managerial dress codes is that they resonate with the overall dress code of the company. For a business with an informal dress code, it would be unusual for senior managers to wear formal suits unless they are conducting meetings with clients or suppliers. The overall effect of a work dress code should always be to emphasise common ground among the workforce, rather than create unnecessary distinctions.
