DRESS CODE FOR MANAGERS
INTRODUCTION
There are certain aspects of the development process such as professionalism that can be improved with a little self awareness and regulation. If you look and behave like a highly-trained and well-groomed professional you will win the respect and honor of peoples both in personal and professional field.
In professional work environment you can’t neglect the fact, “First impressions count”. The logic behind the quote is so strong that, knowledge on proper business attire has become a measurement tool of professionalism among executives.It is practiced increasingly and even standardized to include in the company code of conduct in the first world countries.
OBJECTIVE
Bangladeshi economy is mostly influenced by US companies in terms of exporting.
Undeniably, if we can implement some of the US work culture in Bangladesh, we will be able to better understan
...d them and maximize our opportunity with them. Why not start from the basics then? But, as a Muslim country we have to respect our religious views as well. So, to avoid confusion, Business attire is a must to codify in Bangladesh.Companies should develop dress code standards based on their objective, nature of business, interaction level as well as geographical location, seasonal change, weather condition, organizational culture, religious views, sexual equity etc. and of course, to help provide their employees with guidance about what is appropriate to wear at work. Company's objective in establishing a business attire code, is to allow employees to work comfortably in the workplace while maintaining a professional image for customers, potential employees, and community visitors.
CLASSIFICATION
We can differentiate work dress codes from formal to business casual to casual. The formality of the dress code is normally determined b
the amount of interaction employees have with customers or clients. In workplaces where some employees interact with customers or clients and others do not, an organization may choose to have two dress codes.
A more casual work dress code is normally adopted for employees with no customer or client contact. Depending on the organization, the work dress code may be written in great detail, or in the case of a casual work dress code, little detail is necessary.Certain days can be declared as dress down days, generally Thursday for Bangladesh. On these days, jeans and other more casual clothing, although never clothing potentially offensive to others, are allowed. However, the rules may change when you hit the road for your company with a business mission.
Whether you are exhibiting at a trade show, attending a conference/training session or visiting a customer, the dress code in effect at your office may change for travel and meeting customers.Business casual dress is the minimum standard that must be observed when you are representing the company or interacting with customers or potential customers. Take a look at the following suggested generalized dress codes for managers and executives in different Bangladeshi work environment: Common Grounds
Tie: Conservative, matching or contrasting in color and the top button of the collar of the shirt must be done up. Tie pins are old fashioned. Avoid novelty items. For Ladies, blouse scarf should be permitted instead of tie.
In business casual, tie is optional but preferred.
Accessories: As little as possible. Nothing large or extravagant. There is more scope for jewelry in a creative role than there is in a more conservative environment. If desired, good quality formal watch.
Rings
such as wedding ring is permitted but others are discouraged. Religious men may use toupee and women may use overhead scarf.
Hose/Socks: Preferably black. At least as dark as the suit. Mid-calf length.
No pattern, logo or pictures.
Grooming: All nail, hair, moustaches and beards must be neatly groomed. Protruding nasal and ear hair is prohibited.Females with facial hair are required to shave before any on-site engagements, should always shave legs (if wearing skirts) and exposed armpits.
Perfume: Cologne/perfume must be used sparingly. It is considered especially heinous when the stench is so strong as to cause allergic reactions or when the odor can be detected from more than 3 feet away. Formal & business casual work dress code standards for Men
Suit: Plain dark suits are the safest option, but any good quality suit is suitable.A pinstripe can also be a good choice, especially in the finance industry or in management.
No for blazers. In summer the jacket may be considered provided that you have a backup at office just in case. For business casual, sports jacket, blazer or casual jacket may be permitted.
Shirt: Collared dress shirt, clean and well pressed, tucked in. White is the universal preferred color.
French cuffed with cufflinks preferred. No for button down collars. For business casual, avoid French cuff. Polo T-shirt or similar collared short or long sleeve top is permitted.Avoid logos and slogans, but fashion labels are generally acceptable. Company branded clothing is normally encouraged.
Cardigan sweater, maflar or shaal is permitted in winter. Some fashionable tops are more appropriate to a smart environment than others. Avoid tatty or revealing styles. Avoid denim.
Pant: Must match the Suit. Avoid wearing the same dress for two consecutive
days.
A second pair of matching pants is always a good idea with every business suit, if available, as they suffer more wear than the jacket. For usiness casual, quality pants including gabardines, chinos, khakis etc. are permitted.
Footwear: Spit shine, lace up, leather shoes, preferably black. It is a common practice to judged people by their shoes so quality shoes can be a good investment. For business casual, fabric or microfiber shoes, leather loafers, oxfords, deck shoes, moccasins, dressy loafers in black, navy or brown are appropriate colors.
Avoid lighter colors.
Other: Lather belt & bag, preferably black or matching with the suit. Avoid novelty Cufflinks, essential with a French cuff dress shirt.Formal & business casual work dress code standards for Women Suit – A lady's business suit is an increasingly popular choice especially in senior roles.
Plain dark suits are the safest option, but any good quality suit is suitable. No for blazers. In summer, jacket may be excused provided that you have a backup at office just in case. Neatly put on saree, salwar-kamiz with orna is most appropriate for Bangladeshi environment.
For strong followers of Islam Borkha should be permitted.
Blouse – Clean and well pressed preferably white color. French cuffed blouse with cufflinks preferred. Avoid button down collars. Cardigan sweater, shaal are permitted in winter.
Some fashionable tops are more appropriate to a smart environment than others. Avoid tatty or revealing styles. Avoid denim.
Skirt – Must match the Suit, at least knee length. Tailored & un-creased.
Avoid wearing the same dress for two consecutive days. For business casual, chinos may be permitted.
Cosmetics - Do not use the ski-slope approach to cosmetics (that's 3-inches of powder on top of
a 6-inch base).It should complement the appearance and attitude.
Footwear – Closed toe, low heel preferably black pump or dress pump. For saree and borkha, a matching low heel sandal.
Business casual is crisp, neat, and should look appropriate even for a chance meeting with a CEO. It should not look like cocktail or party or picnic attire. Avoid tight or baggy clothing; business casual is classic rather than trendy. Casual work dress code standard for Men & Women
Pretty much anything, subject to good taste.Know your 'audience' and dress accordingly.
What you wear says as much about what you think about other people as what it says about you.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Before visiting a customer or potential customer ascertain the accepted dress code in their organization and match it in your attire. This is especially important when you are traveling globally representing the company as customs and dress in other countries may differ from those observed in Bangladesh. Some community events, when you are representing the company, might require formal dress.
These might include Chamber of Commerce and other civic or business development meetings, luncheons, and dinners. Take cue from other employees who have attended and be observant at the event.
Certainly, if you are a speaker at a business event, consider wearing formal dress. On the occasions when a client or a business partner does visit the office, the employee groups with whom the visitor is interacting, should adhere to formal or business casual standards. It is important to any professional not to advertise your religious affiliations.For example, when visiting areas with large Hindu or Christian populations, you may not wear customary garments unless you are a practicing member of that
religion.
Reasonable accommodations should be made for employees’ medical conditions or disability consistent with business necessity to present a professional appearance to the public.
CONCLUSION
A fresh haircut, spit-shined shoes and a crisp suit go a long way in establishing a professional demeanor. No dress code can cover all contingencies, so employees must exert a certain amount of judgment in their choice of clothing to wear when traveling and visiting customers.To ensure that, we also need to introduce, educate, expose and guide them to appropriate professional appearance and demeanor. We, as a developing country should focus on the smaller influential parts of the development process that really matters.
Image isn't everything, but it can still mean the difference between success and failure.
References
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, http://en. wikipedia.org/wiki/Dress_code_(Western)
- Dress code guide http://www. dresscodeguide. com/
- Donald K. Burleson, Professional Dress Code http://www. dba-oracle. com/dress_code. htm
- CIA, The World Fact book – Bangladesh ttps://www. cia. gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/bg. html
- Raymond W. Neal, Dealing with dress codes http://www. libsci. sc. edu/bob/class/clis724/SpecialLibrariesHandbook/neal. htm#why
- Susan M. Heathfield,
