República de Chile

Ministerio de Educación
Colegio Margarita Naseau
Teacher Carol Saavedra A.

THE CHANGING TRENDS IN WORK PLACE CLOTHING

Over time, companies and corporates have realized how dramatic the freedom of dressing affects the creativity
and productivity of employees.

BY ARCHANA WALAVALKAR • DEC 6, 2016

Since we don't dress in power suits for a weekend outrun or hop on a pair of shorts for a day at work-
this is just another affirmation that fashion changes with time, place and situation alike. Every occasion
and place possess rules of style, just like the workplace has its own- suit and tie for a corporate firm or
three-inch heels for a fashion house (let's just say, it's yet subjective). But, ladies and gents, patterns
change and for the good! Lucky for you, workplace dress ethics are now easing up, allowing further
freedom for employees to experiment.

And of course, there's a reason. I wish Mark Zuckerberg's work attire (the good-old hoodie) inspired
these new rules, but just unfortunately (or fortunately)- let's blame it on the understanding amongst
employers today, that liberal dress codes reflect in an employee's sense of comfort, eventually
affecting their work outputs. Besides, the millennial's awareness to a whole new world of fashion
online has facilitated their affinity to break boundaries more often. But, primarily, it's also the
emergence of a concept called "Corporate Styling'.

Let’s dwell into the roots. Over time, companies and corporates have realized how dramatic the
freedom of dressing affects the creativity and productivity of employees. But moreover, the
importance of personal styling at work aka corporate styling has prioritized a change in trends at the
workplace.

Bringing up the fashion quotient- since services like "Corporate Styling' are crucial to the change in
perspective, all employers ensure that they're based around lifestyle, personal and professional
preferences (besides holding comfort imperative). Employees are being given the liberty to add a touch
of their personalities to their professional attires through accessories, colors, silhouettes and design- by
opting for bolder colors, prints and by not shying away from experimenting (but all in professional
boundaries).

Let's take the palette-shift for example, it's welcoming new shades besides the blacks and greys and
allowing one to express themselves through every element of style. However, on the other hand, in
corporate or creative companies- "Power Dressing' is still leading the corporate runway, although with
a newfound 'less is more' principle. The flag-bearers called "power suits' now represent modern work-
wear attire. The key is to embrace personal preferences first and mould them around your profession
later. Then what are the new rules of style? StyleCracker defines!

Smoothen out the wrinkles, fold them to perfection and place straight-fit trousers in the back of your
wardrobe! Enter the 90's flared pants, sauntering back into the current trend like no other. Wear them
to work already! Because wide-legged/flared trousers are now work-appropriate! And then of course,
refine your look with a button-down shirt or a top that speaks of your professional forte. As for the
feet- nudge away your round-toe, tapered heels and slip on super-comfortable styles like single-strap
blocks, mules or kitten heels instead. And if you're taking the ethnic route, let wedges take charge!
Amidst all of this, did we forget the casuals to business route? Of course not.

A well-fitted pair of denims is the key piece to own. However, remember that 'wear-jeans-to-work' is
never complete without a pair of heels and an elegant, professional bag to go with. A smart, feminine
top like a silk blouse or a structured top or men would also serve as a catalyst to your outfit and a
blazer over the outfit will complete your look. Swap your pencil skirts for mid-length accordion pleats
and tuck a fluid satin button-down top in. Boyish gray blazers, burgundy pumps, and a thin, minimalist
choker are vital accessories to own too! But while you're raining on the parade of this new-found
freedom, consult your HR before you lap over professional boundaries.

All in all, it's about representing the organization you work for and yourself alike, all in the best
possible way. If it gets too eccentric and takes a twisted turn, the key lies in keeping it refined and
appropriate at the end. Skip the hats, over the top make-up, raucous patterns or bright colours in a
corporate setting- simply experiment in a way that'd leave a lasting impression. After all, besides the
aim of exuding personal style, the trick lies in not compromising on our
professional productivity, right?

VOCABULARY

Aka: also known as.

Attire: clothes or garments.
Boyish: youthful.
Choker: a necklace that fits snugly around the neck
Entrepreneur: a person who manages and organizes an enterprise.
Flag-bearers: someone who openly promotes an idea or value and becomes symbolic for it.
Flared pants: bell-bottoms trousers with legs that flare.
HR: human resources.
Kitten heel: a low stiletto heel.
Mule heel: is a style of shoe that has no back or constraint around the foot’s heel
Outrun: to run faster.
Power suit: A suit stereotypically associated with the 1980s, characterized by sharp cuts, wide shoulder
pads, and a stiff rigidity.
Pumps: a woman’s low-cut shoe with a moderately high heel.
Raucous: harsh, rough.
Single strap heel: a single strap attached to a shoe to hold it on passing through the ankle.
Trend: the way or direction things tend to go.
Wedges: shoes and boots with a sole in the form of a wedge.