Casual in the office doesn't mean dress-as-you-please

Casual in the office doesn't mean dress-as-you-please

By Muara Bagdja

JAKARTA (JP): It used to be a Friday thing, when men squeezed
themselves into their best jeans and women had the freedom to put
on a pair of pants for work.

But now wearing casual clothes to the office has become
standard attire in some workplaces.

It was inevitable that in this era of fast food, long work
hours and an emphasis on practicality, people would also downsize
in their clothing, both in the office and in life in general.

It's now common to see local men strolling through malls in
shorts, T-shirts and sandals, which would have been frowned upon
just a few years ago (foreigners are a different matter). Women
also no longer have to pile on the makeup, don a kebaya
(traditional blouse) and have their hair in a bun to go out.

Although many companies have adopted a laid-back approach to
defining their company dress code, some of us are obviously
confused about when we cross the line from being comfortably
casual to scruffy.

For instance, some women wear T-shirts, tight skirts and
sandals to the office. Relaxed indeed! We are in the office to
work and do business. Of course, we want to be comfortable, but
that does not mean showing too much of a body pumped and primped
at the gym (save that for the party circuit) or those recently
pedicured toenails. Casual should not be construed as dress-as-
you-please.

If you are new to a workplace, look around you and live by the
adage, "You've got to know the rules before you can break them".

Take the work context and atmosphere into account. Does your
job have something to do with legal matters, sales, advertising
or finance? It is important to consider your role and activities
in the company. For instance, a publisher and an editor in the
same publishing company would dress in different styles.

You also have to understand the culture of your office. Do
office regulations allow staff to dress casually every day or
only on Friday? The safest way is to follow suit; notice how your
colleagues dress and when they don casual attire.

There is no denying that casual work attire can look dynamic;
a man doesn't have to wear a jacket or a tie to appear
professional. Women may be wearing a blouse and skirt, but they
can still show their identity as working women. What is important
is that the casual work attire gives the impression that you are
serious about what you are doing.

Below are some tips on appropriate casual working attire for
men and women, and what should be avoided:

Men

* A jacket without a tie will give a more relaxed impression
yet still retain the seriousness needed for the office setting.

* A double-pocketed, short-sleeved shirt or long-sleeved polo
shirt. Tuck in your shirt to look smart.

* Loafers are OK for footwear.

* Jeans may be worn but match them with a blazer or a shirt
and belt with leather shoes (to set off casual attire, use
accessories such as shoes and belts made of leather).

* Use a plain casual jacket with a zip in place of a blazer.

* A light blazer and a shirt.

* Denim pants are OK as long as they are matched with a silk
tie and leather accessories.

* Khaki pants, corduroy and linen appear comfortable but not
sloppy.

* A long-sleeved or sleeveless sweater contrasted with a
cream-colored shirt will give a casual impression.

* A plain vest can take the place of a jacket.

* T-shirts? Better save them for your days off. The one
exception is a good quality plain T-shirt combined with a sports
jacket.

* A turtleneck under a blazer is a good choice.

Women

* A collared or collarless blouse, either with short or long
sleeves, can be worn as casual work attire so long as they are
tucked in and neatly strapped with a leather belt.

* A sleeveless blouse or T-shirt must be covered with a jacket
or blazer during office hours.

* Cardigans give a representative and casual image.

* Sandals displaying toes are not a good choice. For comfort,
choose a pair of shoes with a low heel.

* A turtleneck tucked into a skirt gives a relaxed impression.

* Long pants are also a good choice for casual attire. Stay
away from casual pants. Choose a more formal model which is not
too modish or too baggy. Dark-colored pants are preferable.

* A light-colored blouse will also give a casual impression
compared to a conservative dark color.

* Clothes with a motif are understated. Use classic,
geometric, small and regular patterns.

The writer is a fashion consultant based in Jakarta.
Questions? Contact Muara Bagdja at features@thejakartapost.com.