Four Types of Corporate Uniform Styles
Deciding what to wear each day is a struggle for many. From ensuring you have enough clothes washed and ironed to finding a comfy, weather-appropriate outfit to making sure your outfit fits within your workplace’s guidelines - there is a lot to consider.
Getting uniform guidelines right is stressful for many, especially if you are new to the workplace. In this blog, we will unpack the four types of uniform dress, what they mean, what garments fit within these types, and which uniform dress best suits each industry. Let’s get started!
What are the four types of workplace uniforms?
Firstly, you may be wondering, are there really four types of professional dress? If so, what are they? The four types of professional attire include business professional, business casual, smart casual and casual. Some of these terms may sound familiar; however, knowing what each type means is a bit trickier. When starting a new job, asking what kind of professional dress is set for your workplace can save you stress and time and will help you build up your corporate wardrobe.
Let’s decode these dress codes!
Professional business
First up, we have business professional. This type of professional dress is described as dressed-up, traditional and polished attire . You may find this type of dress in lawyers offices , finance jobs and high-profile corporations. This type of dress includes suits, ties, shirts, and dresses paired with stockings. Nowadays, this type of dress is becoming less common. After the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers and workplaces are now opting for a more comfortable, versatile dress - especially when working from home.
Items in the Biz Corporates range that fit the professional business attire include:
Business casual
Next up, we have business casual. Business casual is a popular choice as it is often described as polished yet comfortable. This type of dress is much more versatile when it comes to pairing options. You may find dress pants and skirts, professional dresses, shirt and sweater combinations, dress shoes or loafers in this type of dress.
Items in our range that fit the business casual attire include:
- Siena bandless slimline pants
Smart casual
Next on the list, we have smart casual. ‘Smart casual’ is a common phrase used when describing what to wear, but what does it mean? Think individual, dressed down yet still neat and presentable. This more relaxed approach can be found in business start-ups, tech companies and small business office environments. You may find jeans and other denim items, untucked shirts and more loose-fitting clothing in this dress type. The idea behind this dress type is that it is comfortable for employees and allows your team to show their individual style while maintaining a put-together look. This is a popular choice for relaxed days in the office, such as professional development days and casual Fridays.
Items in our range that fit the smart casual attire include:
- Seville sleeveless layered blouse
- Springfield short sleeve shirt
Casual
Lastly, and most comfortably, we have casual attire. This dress type is most similar to everyday clothing. Those with a casual dress code wouldn’t see much difference between their weekend and workday clothes. In this dress type, you’ll find jeans and casual loose-fitted pants, comfortable shoes such as sneakers and even hoodies. This type of dress isn’t typically found in a corporation or larger business. More so in the arts and creative industry.
Why do uniforms differ from industry to industry?
Many people wonder why some employees get to wear jeans all day while others are in suits. This will often depend on the nature of the business. For example, if you met with a lawyer, what would you expect them to be wearing? If the lawyer arrived at a meeting in jeans, would this alter your perspective of them? Would they seem less professional?
On the other hand, if you went to a café and the barista was wearing a 3-piece suit, this may appear a little strange!
Perception plays a huge role in uniform choices. For industries that deem themselves as a large company of high quality and professionalism, they may be more inclined to pick a pair of slacks over some jeans.
Above perception lies practicality. Does the dress code match the work? A suit may not be the best option if your employees are constantly on their feet or in the car. Thinking about your team’s day-to-day is important when making a final decision.
How do I know which dress type is best for my business?
When choosing a dress style, it’s important to be realistic. Firstly, consider the likelihood of your employees sticking to the particular dress code. Are they likely to adhere to the code? Will they be able to work comfortably? Are they client or customer-facing? Are you happy for your employees to wear jeans to a sales meeting? One way to look at it is by putting yourself in the mind of your employees. Would you be comfortable wearing a suit and tie every day, even working in a non-client-facing environment?
Starting by asking yourself these basic questions allows you to work backwards.
If you are stuck on which style to choose, ask your team! Putting together a few questions for your employees to answer will enable you to gain insight into their thinking.
From an employee perspective, you may be considering your commute to work, how you spend your lunch breaks and your overall budget. Asking your team questions that relate to all aspects of their working life positions you to choose the option for your employees.
The four types of uniform styles – professional business, business casual, smart casual and casual – are the most common dress codes in workplaces – but they certainly aren’t the only ones! With each style being slightly less formal than the one before, workplaces can tweak a code to fit their business.
If you’re looking for high quality workwear that can be suit a variety of dress codes, head into your closest Biz Corporates stockist, or take a look at our range.