Back-to-Office Attire: 4 Tips to Help You Dress for a More Flexible Workplace

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By Brandi Britton, Executive Director, Contract Finance and Accounting, Robert Half

The shift to remote work and the evolving workplace culture have significantly influenced how professionals approach office attire. Once, business outfits like slacks, dresses, and suits were the standard five days a week. But when many of us transitioned to remote work, our polished looks gave way to yoga pants, tees, and sweatshirts. Comfort became the new priority, especially for virtual meetings, where “camera on” days might have meant dressing up a bit, while others kept it casual all the time. This shared experience in dressing down also contributed to reducing some of the stressors of work and life.

Now, as more companies navigate the transition back to in-person or hybrid work models, there’s a natural question: What does back-to-office attire look like today? Below are four tips to help guide your choice of office clothes in this more flexible workplace.

In today’s talent-short environment, employees have more influence than ever. Companies eager to reduce turnover and boost performance are recognizing that rigid, formal dress codes may be a thing of the past. Employees increasingly value workplaces where they can be their authentic selves, and having a say in how they dress is one facet of that.

Another reason for the move toward more easygoing office clothes could be the greater importance workers and companies now place on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Many employees want to work for businesses that promote diversity and create a sense of belonging. The choice of what to wear could be just another facet of people’s desire to bring their whole selves to work.

Even before the pandemic, finance and accounting firms were embracing a more casual dress code. While some still require suits, ties, dress slacks and blouses, others have begun welcoming jeans and khakis worn with collared shirts.

Looking for remote jobs? See this post for tips on how to find them.

The concept of “dress for your day” is becoming popular in many offices. The principle is simple: let your daily agenda guide your outfit choices when it comes to office clothes. If you’re meeting with an important client, wearing a dress and heels or a suit and tie might be appropriate. On the other hand, if you don’t have external meetings scheduled and will be working from your desk all day, a casual outfit might be appropriate. It may also be a good idea to keep a spare formal outfit at your desk or in your office in case you need it on short notice.

Much of your choice in office clothes should be simply based on common sense: Make sure your clothes aren’t too revealing and that they fit appropriately — nothing should be too tight or too loose. Your outfit, while it may be on the casual side, must still be clean, neat and well-assembled in terms of colors and patterns.

Whether you’re interviewing in-person or virtually, it’s usually better to err on the side of slightly more formal attire. You can opt for a suit or a dress, but today, a business casual outfit is probably a happy, and appropriate, medium for almost any setting. If you land the job, you’ll adjust to expectations for dress as you settle in. If you’re new and eager to make a strong impression, consider mirroring the attire of those in senior roles.

Read for more of our top tips on how to prepare for a job interview.

Clearly, each company will have its own unique approach to dress as employees return to the office. Overall though, we’re likely to see environments that are less rigid when it comes to sartorial creativity and comfort than in pre-pandemic days. It’s incumbent on each employee to know what is appropriate and what goes too far.

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