Attempts to introduce a dress code at work often meet with resistance. However, corporate clothing is more often welcomed than resisted when chosen with care. The manner in which a company’s employees dress can significantly affect public perception of its standards and overall culture.
The Dos and Don’t’s of Corporate Clothing
Any corporate dress code must balance the need for professionalism with style and comfort to achieve a polished look. Hence, employers must consider the following basic dos and don’ts before making any choices.
The Dos:
- Make Comfort and Fit a Priority: If you aim to impress, ill-fitting clothes won’t cut it. Instead, they will project an image of sloppiness and disinterest. Off-the-peg suits, blazers, and trousers may be a cheaper option, but they can’t compete with individually tailored garments if you want your corporate clothing to project a polished, professional image. For similar reasons, selecting garments appropriate to an employee’s body type is equally important.
- Don’t Underestimate The Importance of Comfort: Avoid synthetic materials like nylon and polyester. Instead, stick with natural fibres like cotton, silk, and wool. These breathable materials won’t restrict movement and will be more comfortable for staff who work long hours.
- Choose Neutral and Classic Colours: Black, grey, white, and navy blue are corporate staples, and while corporate clothing in these colours projects reliability and professionalism, they are also easy to mix and match. A contrasting brightly coloured scarf, tie, or blouse in a soft pastel shade could add interest.
- Prioritise Quality: Outfitting employees can be a costly exercise, and only by choosing high-quality materials that will withstand daily use and repeated washing or dry-cleaning can a company maximise the return on that investment.
- Stick To Classic Designs: Trendy modern clothing seldom remains fashionable for long, whereas the well-defined lines of a classically designed outfit are timeless. A staff member wearing a well-tailored classic grey suit or costume with a white shirt or blouse never fails to impress.
- Consider Staff Safety: There is always a danger that loose-fitting garments could become snagged on furniture and cause falls. Likewise, they can pose a threat to a sales representative who may be required to demonstrate machinery.
The Don’ts:
- Don’t Overdo The Accessories: Although one or two carefully chosen accessories like cufflinks, a tie pin, a brooch, or a watch can enhance the overall effect of your corporate clothing, too many pieces can be a distraction and appear unprofessional. The same principle should be applied to make-up, which should favour subtle, neutral tones that enhance one’s features without overemphasising them.
- Don’t Overlook Seasonal Changes: While heating and air conditioning can help to maintain a comfortable working environment across the seasons, commuting to work in a woollen suit would not be much fun during the height of a South African summer. The art is to strike a balance between style and comfort.
A red-faced, perspiring employee dressed in inappropriate corporate clothing will neither create a positive impression nor improve productivity. Choose lightweight fabrics like cotton and linen and short-sleeve shirts and blouses for summer, and provide warmer woollen items like cardigans or sweaters for use in colder weather.
- Don’t Neglect Footwear: Avoid casual footwear like takkies or sandals, as these are blatantly unprofessional. For male staff, stick with a classic black or brown dress shoe, while loafers or closed-toe pumps will be the smartest option for female employees. Whichever you choose, ensure they are a comfortable fit. Staff with tired, aching feet will quickly become non-productive. Lastly, ensure your dress code stresses the importance of regularly polishing or cleaning footwear.
- Don’t Forget Corporate Branding: Corporate clothing is an extension of a company’s brand, and as such, it should be designed to reflect this association. Once again, the emphasis should be on subtlety. A unique accessory, a subtle hint of a signature colour, or even a single embroidered initial can send a message that will help raise and reinforce public awareness of your corporate brand.
One Final Do
Be sure to choose a well-established and trusted corporate clothing supplier.
Forgive the cliché, but you really do only get one chance to create a favourable first impression, so choosing the right supplier can be crucial. It might, therefore, pay you to follow the example of prestigious companies like Bidvest, Anglo Platinum, Samsung, and Toyota by contacting us at XCO Group today and arranging a chat with us about all your corporate clothing, promotional, and brand development needs.
