Tackling the office dress code in 2023

Is it time to ditch the post-COVID leisure wear? Catherine Kennedy weighs in.

For all the working parents out there I think we all have all breathed a sigh of relief that the 2023 school year is now well and truly underway and routines are back. With that also signals a more formal return to the office and potentially less work from home days. As we emerge and embrace a new way of working post the covid pandemic, it also is becoming more apparent that dress code in the office has drastically changed.

Our most recent online poll showed that the traditional heels and suits are definitely out and sneakers, jeans and shorts are making way for a more relaxed approach to work attire in 2023. It also showed that post covid, over half (57 per cent) of Australian workers chose a more casual working wardrobe that was much closer to their ‘out-of-work’ outfits with 6 in 10 now wearing jeans or shorts on a regular basis and close to half opting for sneakers rather than heels.

There is no doubt that the covid pandemic has certainly changed the way we work and where we work for good. And there has been many positives come out of the experience for employees such as the acceptance of hybrid working models which would otherwise never have been on the table. 

A growing portion of Australian office workers have chosen a more casual working wardrobe to remain professional while keeping it comfortable. More often than not, there is very little reason to be all day wearing a suit at home when you aren’t in a meeting of any sort, but the question is how far can and should you take it?

Other interesting results from our poll included: 

• Australian workers aren’t spending big on their new summer casual work wardrobes with 65 per cent choosing to top up their existing casual wardrobe, spending around $100 on average.
• 57 per cent confirmed their work attire is more and more reflecting their out-of-work attire. “Dress to Impress” has given way to “Dress to Express”.
• 6 in 10 are dressing in jeans and sneakers (or the equivalent) for work.
• Over a quarter (29 per cent) are sporting activewear at work, while 1 in 4 are saving it for working from home only.
• In the last two years, 1 in 3 (66.5 per cent) have stopped wearing suits to work.
• Almost half (47 per cent) confirmed they have changed the way they dress for work post-COVID.

If you’re an employer here are my suggestions on how to navigate the changes or come to an agreement with your team as to what will work depending in your industry:

1. Start by putting a policy in place and personally deploying it to your team. A company-wide, face-to-face or online meeting is advised to avoid any one employee feeling singled out. This should be followed up with a written summary.
2. Encourage staff to work in comfort, but ask them to always have appropriate, professional work attire available at work, including shoes and/or a jacket so they can dress for their market at short notice.
3. Most importantly: stick to the policy yourself and lead by example.