Member of
A recent survey by fashion researchers has revealed that the majority of people surveyed thought that the tie would not be seen around offices within the next 20 years, and a quarter believed it would last less than 10 years.
There are several reasons given for this. Apparently the open-collared shirt is becoming more popular on television and cinema screens, while workplaces are adopting a more relaxed approach when it comes to neck attire.
I am not sure about the former as being an influencer – of course Spiderman, Batman and Iron man didn’t wear ties – but Ricky Gervais did in the Office.
However in creative businesses, I can see that formal dress codes are not being enforced so rigourously. Instead, workers are allowed to dress in comfortable, casual clothes.
Researchers have also suggested that the rise of ‘casual Thursdays’ (they actually said Friday as this was a European survey) is also contributing to the decline of men choosing to wear a tie.
My business is PR – a very creative profession in my opinion – but our dress code is one of ‘meeting ready’. Smart casual in the sense that if we men have a meeting, the tie goes on. Am I too old school?
Apparently the tie-less suit creates an impression of a more approachable deal maker, “someone who is still business-minded, yet creative and technology-savvy, too,” said a spokesman for the [people who conducted the survey. Well I cannot disagree that this sums me up!
But I still feel the full suited and booted appearance gives a much better impression when meeting with clients. And I haven’t found a preponderance of clients moving to the casual look yet.
The Wall Street Journal was quoted as saying “Power is being able to dress the way you want,”
What do you think?
Would you be happy to, and should we, wave goodbye to the tie in the Gulf?