PPB December

DECEMBER 2014 •

PPB

• 15

CORPORATE DRESS CODES

WHAT CASUAL MEANS NOW

EMPLOYERS AROUND THE COUNTRY are shifting dress

code guidelines in order to promote a more polished appear-

ance among employees. But guess what? The new rules also

seek to accommodate personal taste and expression, encour-

aging staffers to showcase their personalities through the cloth-

ing they wear to work.

“The 2008 economic slowdown forced companies to rethink

the ‘casual Friday’ concept,” says Jackie Whitfield, VP of mer-

chandising at Richmond Hill, Ontario-based supplier Trimark

Sportswear Group (UPIC: TRIMARK). “As more companies re-

focused and saw the need to ‘step up to the plate,’ a new busi-

ness attire concept was born, and the term ‘smart casual’ came

into play.”

Smart casual fits somewhere on the spectrum between

boardroom attire (think dark-colored suits) and business casual

(khakis and polo shirts). It’s built on dress-up basics such as

oxford shirts, slacks, blouses and scarves, but it gives employ-

ees the freedom to style their clothing in accordance with fash-

ion trends and personal preferences. Whimsical prints, bold

color combinations and stand-out accessories are all accept-

able in a smart casual environment.

Sport coats

jackets

or pull-over and half-zip

sweaters

work well.

PHOTOS COURTESY: J.C. PENNEY CORPORATION, INC

Ties

are optional

for most situations.

Patterned

socks

or “sock flair,” express

individuality.

Standard

blouses

get an update with

vivid prints.

Hemlines

are

work-appropriate.

Trendy

footwear

provides self-

expression.

Put It Together

KEY ELEMENTS OF ‘SMART CASUAL’

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