What to wear to work
You are what you wear, right? So, if you want to make a good impression in the workplace, it pays to think about your attire.
The rules about what to wear to work have changed radically in the last five years, according to YouGov just 7% of workers wear a suit to work with 60% of workplaces adopting a casual approach to dressing for the office. In some workplaces in Sweden, they actually have a “no shoe” policy which means employees can only wear slippers. We are not quite there yet but we are becoming more relaxed.
| If you’re dressing casually to work, there may be boundaries and standards which need to be kept up with. |
The concept of "dress for success" has faded in the modern workplace, with comfort now taking precedence over power dressing. Women wearing high heels (which they were made to do not so long ago) have sharply declined with trainers preferred instead.
When starting a new job, it is always best to dress smart as you never know what the dress code might be like once you get there. It is definitely better to be overdressed than underdressed, especially for a new job.
There are always occasions where you do need to dress smart within the workplace. Whether it be; meeting your boss or someone of high importance who you know likes to dress smart 24/7, if you are interviewing a new candidate for a role or meeting potential clients/current clients.
If you’re dressing casually to work, there may be boundaries and standards which need to be kept up with. For example, try not to wear ripped jeans, this isn’t professional and depending on your profession you wouldn’t show up wearing gym wear to work when you work in an office.
Some people think that there is a benefit to dressing in a particular way for work: you can draw a clear line between work and leisure at the end of the day.
So, there you have it. The rules of workplace clothing are simple: dress well, in a way that’s appropriate to your role, and the situation you’re in. But if you’re in the running for a new job, dial up the smartness factor and turn on the style. You’ll be on the road to success in no time.
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Published: 12 September 2025
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