Has Our Work Dress Code Changed Post Lockdown?

Before it was power suits, dresses and blazers but then most of us started working from home and it switched from pants to pyjamas. 

Lounge wear and active wear sales boomed and the quick change of top before a zoom meeting became less of a joke and more of a reality. How could (mostly women) be expected to sit in a suit while trying to work, home school and look after little kids? Comfort was key.

Now we’re in the post-COVID lockdown era, the current living with the virus stage and that means a return to the office.

We’re easing back in - making the commute a few days a week and maybe everyone being in the office full time will never happen again.

What we do know is the way we dress has changed. It’s become a lot more casual because for two years we’ve had nowhere to go and no one to see.

Now, maybe the thought of dusting off those suits, ironing shirts, slipping into that corporate dress and high heels isn’t all that appealing.

It is important to look good in the office. The undeniable fact is that if we look good, we feel good and that gives a confidence boost to take on the day. There are also meetings to have and people to see and you need to give off the right impression. Dress for the job you want not the job you have and all that.  

But has what we consider work appropriate changed? Is what we wear now going to be COVID casual? Pants and a nice top, jeans even? A skirt and a tee? Less structure and more comfort? 

Look only time will tell but pre-pandemic feels like a lifetime ago.

On the flip side, is there not some excitement about getting out of activewear and dressing up again? If you’re like me, there are so many other pieces of clothing sitting in my wardrobe that I love and want to wear. Now I have somewhere to wear them. I dress for me and get excited about wearing things I haven’t in years. 

I don’t think this new way of dressing involves buying a whole new wardrobe. 

There might be some pieces you can add to your wardrobe like a smart casual pair of black pants or dressy jeans, blouses instead of structured shirts for example. I don’t think you can have too many blazers to throw over pants and a top or a dress. All these can be dressed down and worn on weekends as well so if you do feel like shopping for this new workwear way, this is how you can get plenty or wear out of the pieces you get.

Maybe we can have a bit each way and wear the blazer from the power suit with a pair of jeans? The structured white shirt with a casual skirt to take it up a notch but not be off the dial.

Then if we start moving back to ultra corporate, you can up the ante.

If you think your work wardrobe needs an upgrade now you’re in the office more, please get in touch here. You can also check out the style services I offer here.