Can it be a bit more "casual"? - Business casual is the latest trend.

More and more women are tired of wearing a strict business look in dark and subdued colors every day. Pantsuit/blouse, pantsuit/blouse, pantsuit/blouse... and that for five days a week. They feel deprived of their stylistic expression and visually hardly differ from their colleagues. In such moments, "business casual" becomes an increasingly popular topic. Men are more pain-free in this regard. For most of them, reaching into the closet is relatively uncomplicated. It is enough to know: suit colors are black (for formal occasions), anthracite, dark to medium blue, in some industries maybe even dark brown or beige, ties almost match any suit, and the belt must match the color of the shoes - which makes life so much easier for them. **What does Dresscode Business Casual mean?** Not every employee knows exactly what the Dresscode Business Casual means. There is no universally valid definition of the term. If you google the term Business Casual, you will find everything from "leisure look with an appropriate framework" to "suit without tie." In general, in Central Europe, you can assume that for men it means "suit without tie" and for women a "combination of classic blazer with elegant pants or skirt." In a company such as a feed manufacturer, this could also be a blazer with chinos (light cotton pants) or elegant jeans. The elegant or sporty interpretation varies depending on the industry. However, if the choice falls on a blazer made of a material typically used for sweater pullovers, deliberately sloppily sewn and without shoulder pads, we are talking about a "leisure blazer." The blazer, from elegant to sporty (visible seams, patch pockets), must correspond to the company's image. Elegant - for employees in management consulting, sporty - for employees in a production facility. **Smart and competent** A less strictly enforced dress code depends on several factors. Often, a younger generation of executives who want to smarten up their dress code in daily business themselves stands for a relaxation. However, they know exactly when a suit with a tie is mandatory for certain appointments and occasions to achieve the desired external effect. The dilemma begins where a too casual dress style crosses boundaries that are not conducive to the company's image and its professional impact. Sabine Neubauer, an employee in a large industrial company, always wore her classic pantsuit with a blouse, which she did not love but accepted. It exactly matched the company's dress code. She would prefer a combination of a blazer with pants or skirt and a matching blouse shirt. At 10 o'clock, she received a call that a short-term meeting had been scheduled by the new managing director at 11 o'clock due to the current product launch. When she entered the meeting room, she was very surprised. The new managing director did not come in a dark suit but in a casual blazer-trousers combo without a tie. Presumably, many thought: "These are entirely new aspects, this never happened with the predecessor. Great!" All colleagues were, as usual, in dark suits with ties. At the end of this meeting, the new managing director announced that if there are no customer appointments or only internal meetings, a casual dress code is acceptable for him. And behold, at the next meeting, all without exception - the gentlemen and Sabine Neubauer - came in business casual. She was overjoyed because this looseness was exactly what she had always wished for. **Establishing the dress code** Every company should define its dress codes in writing to provide guidance to employees. Those who write "industry-appropriate and competent clothing is desired" open the door to interpretations and unsettle their employees. I also recommend issuing a dress code for meetings and events. Furthermore, it depends on the industry (management consulting or production facility), the size of the company (DAX-listed company or a small family business in the countryside), the number of employees, the company's location (e.g., Hamburg or Altötting), the corporate culture, and the average age of employees, how strict or relaxed the dress code is. Think about car dealerships. It used to be unthinkable for a car salesman not to sell in a suit with a tie. Depending on the car brand, you can find all dress codes today - from business down to smart casual. In the premium segment, there is no casual look. An elegant outfit is expected there. Not everywhere with a tie anymore, but definitely with a suit. A car dealership employee said: "I feel like a funeral parlor staff member in my black suit with a white shirt and dark tie!" I agree with him. No car salesman should wear a black suit. In it, he looks unimaginative and dreary. Few know that a black suit is only worn for formal occasions, such as weddings and funerals. Dark blue, medium blue, or dark gray are the common business colors. If this employee were to wear a medium blue suit with a light shirt and maybe skip the tie, he would feel visibly more comfortable and give the car dealership a modern touch. **A younger image through a relaxed dress code** More and more companies are giving themselves a younger image. The trend is moving away from the business dress code towards business casual. Women wear blazer/skirt/pants combinations without a blouse, but with an elegant shirt or blouse shirt - depending on the industry, even with elegant jeans. At a management conference, Hamburger Sparkasse (Haspa) came up with the idea that a relaxed dress style could break down potential barriers with customers. After all, customer proximity and trust are indispensable in banking. This bank is breaking a taboo in the industry. The employees welcome you without a tie, with an open collar, in jeans, and chinos. So we can be curious about how the banking world will continue to develop - whether the strict dress code will remain or if (still elegant) lightness will actually prevail. **A relaxed dress code is not possible everywhere** Those working in a company where a strict look prevails and is expected know that casual is not an option. Men always wear a suit with a tie. Women wear their pantsuit/blouse look. There is no room for negotiation. This dress code is part of the brand and the company's philosophy. If you do not feel comfortable with this strict dress code, you should seriously consider whether you want to work there. For men, this leads to the communion suit effect: they look like they've been "hung in the suit" - and this attitude also reveals their discomfort. It's not much different for women. Such an imposed dress style does not make them look competent and attractive at all. **Casual - could also be interpreted as fashionable** A young, dynamic, and fashion-interested executive discovered the new fashion trend from Italy for himself. "Pants length up to the ankle and no socks" with a classic suit without a tie. The employee thought when buying: "We are a lifestyle company, this style is surely possible in our house." When the board saw him like that, he shook his head in disbelief: "My employees don't work like this. We adhere to classic business codes - and this definitely does not belong. Please get a tie plus socks and buy pants with an acceptable length." This reprimand hit home. Perhaps a fashion-interested executive would have welcomed the new fashionably relaxed trend - after all, it is a lifestyle company - who knows... **Stylishly smart in business** Some companies are advised to give their employees' appearance an upgrade (enhancement...). There is plenty of that as well. However, today we are only talking about downgrading. Nevertheless, some employees urgently need an upgrade. Regardless of whether your company has a strict business look or a very smart and casual dress code. It is important to reconsider the company's dress code from time to time and make an up- or downgrade here and there. The message of all employees should be stylish and tailored to the company's image. For more information on the topic of Business Casual and Elisabeth Motsch, click here: http://www.trainers-excellence.de/redner/elisabeth-motsch-stilkniggepersoenlichkeitselbstvermarktungkarrierestilvolle-kleidungimagebus.html