BETA
This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here

More From Forbes

Edit Story

10 Tips For Revamping Your Company's Dress Code

Forbes Human Resources Council

Whether your company plans to implement a new dress code or update an existing one that is now considered old-fashioned, it's essential to set clear expectations for your entire team. In addition to those guidelines, maintain a fair and inclusive policy that is balanced with leadership flexibility that enables employees to share their input and lean into creative or cultural expression.

Here are 10 ideas from Forbes Human Resources Council members to help leaders enable employees to feel like themselves at work.

1. Demonstrate Fair And Respectful Policies

The best practice for implementing dress codes at the office is to have clear guidelines that are fair and respectful to all employees while also allowing for individual expression and comfort. It's important to remember that different people may have other ideas about what is appropriate to wear to work. Therefore, it's also essential to approach the subject with empathy and understanding. - Brandon Batt, Savory

2. Balance Personal Expression With Brand Representation

I believe a dress code should only be a guide or a framework where individuals can still dress to represent themselves. A dress code should not be so strict as to restrict one's personal expression, yet also not so loose as to inappropriately represent the brand or product. The days are gone of strictly specifying that the way a person chooses to dress as an individual can't be just that—individual. - Christina Hobbs, American Queen Voyages

3. Establish A Baseline Of Inclusivity, Diversity And Autonomy

Develop dress code parameters to establish a baseline that encourages inclusivity, diversity and autonomy. Allow employees to decide what is appropriate. Not only will this create an environment of trust, but it also encourages a culture of acceptance while normalizing differences. - Thalia Rodriguez, Tase Creative Solutions

4. Explain The 'Why' Of The Company Dress Code

The best practice is giving employees guidelines or parameters to help them understand your dress code. If your dress code requires a specific type of attire because they may be walking around in a plant or seeing clients, share that so they understand where the policy is coming from. You will get more buy-in from staff if it isn't just an arbitrary policy put in place without reason. - Amy Casciotti, TechSmith Corporation


Forbes Human Resources Council is an invitation-only organization for HR executives across all industries. Do I qualify?


5. Provide A Short List Of Banned Items

We have found a statement expecting people to dress responsibly for our business, combined with a short list of banned items like yoga pants or novelty T-shirts works well. Leaders must step in to address those that may meet the letter of the law but not the spirit. If someone's attire generates a complaint, for example, a manager can deal with it one-on-one and employees do not need to expect a new policy. - David Hawthorne, Pacific Bells

6. Allow Employees To Dress Depending On Their Duties

When I started my organization, there was a three-page dress code that screamed, "We don't trust you to dress yourselves." That awful thing was shredded on day one and changed to "Dress for what you have to do." Policies are intimately connected to culture and need to be congruent, otherwise, leadership will waste a lot of time enforcing rules that don't enrich an organization. Be the policy you want to see in the world. - Chad Brown, Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation

7. Engage An Employee Task Force To Develop Guidelines

In my experience, it's key to bring together a small task force of employees and ask them to shape a recommended dress code. You may share this with employee resource groups representing diverse segments of the workforce to ensure you have addressed their preferences, as some may be different. An element to watch for is that it does not lead to having to go shopping for new clothes! - Prithvi Singh Shergill, entomo

8. Define What Your Dress Code Should Represent

I think it is key to define what you'd like your dress code to represent. This will be a direct reflection of the organizational culture you'd like to showcase for your employees, clients and community. When you look at your dress code through that lens, you can decipher what is truly necessary for your dress code policy while ensuring that employees are able to freely express themselves. - Nakisha Griffin, Neustar Security Services

9. Conduct An Assessment Of Necessary Requirements

Office dress codes have evolved over the last decade, and remote work through Covid pushed it further. Start at the top and establish with leadership what is truly necessary to require of employees and what is just “what we’ve always done.” It’s also worthwhile to create a focus group of staff members to help establish policy. Get feedback from folks of different ages and lifestyles to establish buy-in. - Lisa Shuster, iHire

10. Provide A Variety Of Best Practices With Visuals

Providing varying visual examples that meet the key dress code requirements is the best way to celebrate diversity and creativity while also maintaining company standards. For example, a brown shoe is company standard, but I can show that brown shoe in the form of a boot, a pair of loafers or a low heel. This demonstrates that you can still be yourself within the confinements of company standards. - Tiersa Smith-Hall, Impactful Imprints, Training & Consulting

Check out my website