Khaki Capsize

Workplace wardrobe needs an overhauling.

At a time in society when stereotypes are common knowledge and portrayed heavily in the media, it becomes difficult to be an individual in the way we dress without judgement. On a day to day basis a true individual will be more than happy to have a non-chalaunt attitude about what other people think, yet when it comes to the office a punk, off the clock, turns into Donald Trump (bad comb-over included), on the clock. This begs the question, should individual style be welcomed in the workplace or should everyone be expected to dress similarly?

This does not include offices or professions with a clear cut uniform. By no means do I suggest a fire fighter run into a burning building in leather chaps and a Mohawk but in a daily office job many would argue that attire really doesn’t hinder productivity. Most business’ these days expect at least a business casual dress but often this does not leave room for creativity. Not everyone feels comfortable in a pair of khaki slacks and a button down shirt, so those of us who are more creative with our style feel the need to express it. Many jobs find this to be inappropriate. However style conscious modest clothing comes in all different shapes and designs. A professor for example, who has a distinctive urban style should be able to wear the clothes that make him comfortable. Often people feel most productive and positive about themselves when they feel that they look good, playing pretend in a wardrobe that doesn’t fit your style will not only kill your creative mojo, but also make the most honest people feel like a fraud. If pretend outfits are necessary in a job environment, are fake personalities also a must? Instead of just a strict dress code that states a shirt and tie, the dress code could instead state that the clothing must cover the elbows and knees in a modest way. This leaves plenty of room for creativity and more importantly personality in the workplace.

Many employers feel that a more lenient dress code could increase their problems with distractions and sexual harassment. This is a very good point if you think of the way a large portion of society dresses these days. For a celebrity on the stage apparently the new uniform is bare skin and not much else. Since celebrities are often people’s stylistic inspiration offices need to have some rules. But for the most part employees just need to know that coming to work ready to work is key, and not being able to bend over based on the idea that you will have a “Britney” moment does put a damper on the amount of work you can really do, as well as the amount of work the people around you can do.

Another concern for offices is that they want their company to have a clear business image which includes their employees. This has many people dressed in the khaki and golf shirt ensemble now referred to as a uniform. We creative types know that a uniform is an instant downer due to the lack of self expression in wearing literally what everyone else is wearing. The confused and disoriented feeling you will get is not nervousness for your job, but the idea that in the instant you put on those khakis your dignity went down the drain. Faking to be someone you’re not can cause people to feel distressed and feel the need to search for their identity more. They may show this with their jewellery or their makeup or hair. Sorry CEO, but a Marilyn Manson makeup job doesn’t really fit khaki heaven and you’re corporate image. Let people be themselves and they will have the decency to cover up and make you look good.

I recently witnessed the most humiliating thing I believe a young girl could experience, but to a grow woman. Anyone who went to a uniformed school remembers the finger rule. This is when your kilt has to be longer than your middle finger of your hands completely extended by your sides when standing. This used to be done in front of full classrooms or hallways when a teacher would see a shorter than appropriate kilt. Any young girl who has experienced this knows how embarrassing it is to be stood up in front of your peers and judged on your dress however as a grown woman I image in would be downright humiliating. I witnessed a grown woman be stood up in front of her boss as well as her peers and asked to try the finger rule and make sure her skirt was appropriate for the office. This woman was an electrical engineer, she was expected to build electrical plans for prisons and schools and parliament offices, yet she was not trusted to wear a skirt that touched the tips of her middle fingers. Her skirt being slightly too short did not interfere with her job nor with her fellow employee’s work. Although this case may be a little extreme, but bosses and CEO’s are cracking down on wardrobe for work and they are crushing egos and individuality in their destructive path.

A happy and comfortable employee works the hardest for the person who makes them realize they could have it so much worse. Is individuality really causing so many problems that a CEO can’t cut back on the dress code? Learning from and about each other through dress should not only be accepted but encouraged. The most competent employee could be hiding under the chains of that punk kid you keep telling to put on some slacks and take out that nose ring. Individuality is your right. Stop to think, what does your work wardrobe say about you?