Casual dress codes can cause confusion for many professionals, new research shows. While 56 percent of employees surveyed said they prefer more casual clothes at work, four in 10 (41 percent) admitted they are sometimes unsure about whether their clothes are appropriate for the job. Nearly half (48 percent) would choose to abolish uncertainty entirely by donning a uniform.
Employees were asked, “Which office dress code do you prefer?” Their reactions:
Very formal (suit and tie) 16%
Somewhat formal (dress, pants or skirt with shirt) 28%
Somewhat casual (khaki and polo shirt or sweater) 36%
Very casual (jeans and T-shirt) 20%
Additional Findings:
* Ages 18 to 34 (56 percent) have the highest preference for formal dress codes. They are also most insecure if their clothing is appropriate (54 percent) and the age group with the greatest number of respondents interested in wearing a uniform (59 percent).
* More men (54 percent) prefer formal wear than women (30 percent).
* Nearly half of men (48 percent) are at least sometimes confused about whether their clothes are okay for work, compared to 31 percent of women.
* Most employees (86 percent) reported wanting casual dress codes because it allows them to wear more comfortable clothes.
* About one in four respondents (23 percent) say it company policy is not always clear about which clothing is acceptable.
The employees were also asked to reveal something they've considered wearing to work that they weren't sure about. Here are some of their responses:
An off-shoulder top
Leggings
A Hawaiian shirt
Slippers
A baseball cap
Jeans
Pyjamas
Fishing socks
A tight sweater
Capri pants
A tracksuit
A low-cut top
chic sandals
A hockey shirt
Shorts
Cargo pants
A political T-shirt
Coloured jeans
Tank top
Tennis shoes
A short skirt
A see-through top
