Levelling up your workplace wardrobe

From business professional to corporate casual, marketing team leader of Premier Clothing, Laura Dutton talks recommendations for dapper dressing in the workplace.

Many workplaces allow their staff a certain amount of self-expression and creativity when it comes to dressing for work, but this can often get out of hand, which is why implementing a dress code and colour scheme can help guide the team in the right direction.

In a business where staff meet customers face-to-face, it’s worth providing them with a uniform, so there is a level of control over their appearance.  Professional, well-dressed staff will enhance a company’s corporate image. It shows an investment in team members and creates a sense of belonging among colleagues.

As a reseller, you can promote your print and embroidery services and talk about the benefits of branding uniforms with a company logo or staff names. You understand the importance of colour and how choosing the right shade can create engaging workspaces, increase productivity and influence decision making. Pass on your industry expertise and decoration skills and help businesses create a uniform their staff will be proud to wear.

Let’s look at three key looks for in the corporate workspace.

Boardroom brief

The leadership team should lead by example with a uniform that can be styled to suit the corporate occasion. We’ve chosen a super comfortable stretch-fit cotton shirt with a tie and layered with a V-neck knitted sweater to frame the look.

For a casual take, wear the shirt open-collared with the sleeves neatly rolled back and the sweater tied casually around the shoulders. Teamed with a pair of chinos to complete the look.

 

Customer call

Field sales teams and customer facing staff who represent their company should be styled in a way that reflects the brand’s corporate image. This could be a relaxed or more formal approach, but either way it needs to be smart and identify the person as a business professional. Branding is essential here with a company logo acting as a form of free advertising.

I love the smart-casual versatility of a polo shirt tucked into a pair of chinos. Depending on the time of year, the look can be completed with a softshell jacket or gilet as an extra layer. Again, finished with a pair of stretch chino jeans.

Working-from-home wardrobe

Working from home allows for a little more relaxed sense of dress, but with online video calls and virtual meetings there’s nowhere to hide. Staff should be encouraged to maintain a smart appearance online, but with a more casual twist.

I think a cotton tee layered with an open Oxford shirt is a winning combination for working from home. Finished with a pair of chino shorts for more freeing leg movement while sat at the desk.