Ask Dr. Dana - dress codes - Industry Trend or Event

Industry Standard, The, Oct 23, 2000 by Dana Ardi

Q. As the CEO of a 2-year-old I-Builder, I'm worried that our dress code has become borderline tacky - as in tank tops, shorts and scruffy jeans. When is casual dress too casual?

A. While new-economy firms have led the movement on casual dress, there seems to be a concern by many that the trend has been taken to the extreme. Some long for the days when it was easy to stay with tradition and suit up for the workplace. Even so, most technology companies would agree that the informal nature of the culture, the desire for comfort while sitting at computers all day, the sense that casual dress aids morale and the need to recruit younger knowledge workers have all contributed to the trend. The question is, how do you strike a balance?

Companies report broad interpretations of casual dress, and many workers will push the envelope; stripped-down club attire is not uncommon. This is a complicated issue and depends entirely on your culture and location, as well as the ecosystem of your clients and strategic partners. A venture capital firm, which receives regular visits from bankers and investors, will have to be more conservative than, say, a Web design shop. Be consistent and clear with any policy you create.

Many companies I know are taking a democratic approach by holding town-hall meetings so everyone can weigh in on what is appropriate for the office - and what isn't. The process can actually be fun rather than bureaucratic: Companies are even seeking out consultants from retail chains to come in and present examples of the latest "business casual" trends. Appoint a small committee to come up with the final guidelines, which could be published on your corporate intranet or sent as an e-mail memo. Create a feedback mechanism and anticipate some mistakes.

The point is not to generate more rules, but to create an environment that is both professional and comfortable for your staff. Believe it or not, the latest fad is moving back to more formal attire. Companies are scheduling dress-up days, when employees get a chance to wear their sharpest duds to the office without feeling out of place. Now there's a twist: Suits and ties can be cool again.

Dr. Dana Ardi is the human capital partner at Flatiron Partners in New York. (Flatiron is an investor in The Standard.) Send your questions about working in the Internet Economy to askdrdana@thestandard.com.