An interesting study bears out what I’ve noticed myself - the suit is in decline in the British workplace. This study, by the Aziz Corporation, surveyed employers for their attitudes towards office dress. Less than one in four offices now require men to wear suits, most opting for a ’smart casual’ approach with suits reserved for business meetings (I’d guess with clients or other organisations).
This was the rule in my last employment, and my experience matches the results of the survey - when allowed to dress down, most employees still wish to appear smart and professional. 90% of employees do not believe that wearing a suit necessarily makes you look smart.
Dress codes are symbols of their times, the wigs and gowns worn in court were first donned at a time when they were simply fashionable and smart attire. The demise of the suit can perhaps (and this is only a theory) be linked to the rise of women in professional workplaces. Smart clothing is not so prescriptive for women as it is for men, and once the link between the clothing and the service is broken then the human desire for self-expression comes to the fore.
As a barrister it’s likely I’ll be required to wear a suit to work for many years to come, but at least this means I needn’t get too concerned about fashion when I get up in the morning.
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