A Guide To Modern Office Attire

For many of us, gone are the days when pulling on your work uniform was a simple process: dark suit, white shirt, hard briefcase, black shoes.

OK, so men who work in corporate environments will still regard this as the basis of their nine-to-five looks, but modern office wear has become a much more individual affair, with style-conscious gents now likely to dress in a manner that reflects their profession.

At the same time, with this relaxation of the rules, company dress codes have become a minefield – is the boss going to show you a red card for donning a pair of tailored shorts on a hot summer’s day? Is it ever acceptable to wear a sweatshirt to the office?

In this two-part piece, we examine four types of office worker in an attempt to decode today’s on-duty garb…

The City Slicker

Probably the most conservative of our four office workers, the City Slicker inhabits the glass-walled, sparkling skyscrapers of the financial district, or perhaps the hallowed halls of a law institution. He keeps the country’s economic and justice conveyors in motion, pushing numbers or legal formalities for establishments with double or triple-barrelled names.

The City Slicker’s attire is the one which bears most resemblance to the traditional business wear that has dominated offices for the past century. Here, tailoring rules the roost, and a freshly pressed shirt and sharp accessories are key.

The Suit

A well-made two-piece suit, or for those wishing to up their game a little, a three-piece, will set the foundation of your look. Always opt for the finest fabric you can afford: pure wool cloths and linen-blends will last much longer if looked after well.

With this in mind, aim to dry clean your suit every three months – more frequent cleaning will shorten the life of your suit, as the chemicals tire the fabric and seams.