Dress Down without Letting Down
A dress down policy (or lack of it) can leave you and your organisation’s image in tatters- here’s how to avoid it.
In an increasingly digital work environment where we have more emails, WhatsApp messages & interruptions than ever before, many business leaders started looking at ways of alleviating the stress that comes with this increased workload. Relaxing the dress code and letting your team dress in more casual clothing is one way of doing this….Or is it?
Dressing casually comes with a plethora of choices that you don’t have to contend with when dressing formally for work. You swap the simple suit, shirt and tie combo for chino and shirt, or will it be jeans and a polo shirt? The permutations are endless. Worst still, these choices need to be made first thing in the morning! Barack Obama famously had all his suits made in the same style and only in shades of navy & grey- just so he didn’t have to waste any headspace on fashion choices.
However you decide to dress, the fact remains that your peers, colleagues and clients will all form an opinion of you (and your professionalism) based on your appearance. In a small community like Gibraltar, this not only applies to the workplace environment, but outside it too. When you pop out for an errand, people will not only judge you but also the organisation you work for, often depending on how you present yourself.
With a little bit of foresight, understanding and discipline you can ensure that you create the right impression that will value all your hard work. Here are a few guidelines to help you along the way:
Comfort: Try and use natural fabrics which are breathable. Make sure your garments are not too fitted- you’re going to work, not a night club! The need for comfort does not extend to wearing ultra-baggy clothing, which tends to make you look unkempt.
Take care of the details: No point in spending a fortune on a designer outfit and wear it with scuffed shoes. Check your personal appearance too- your hairstyle, facial hair, nails…all these trivial details are sending out signals to people about who you are!
Other things to keep an eye on are hem & sleeve lengths- too long and you’ll look dishevelled, or you’ve bought a size too big.
If it’s spoiled, it’s time to say goodbye: Don’t wear something that has tears, is broken, worn out or dirty. If it can be fixed, by all means do that. If it can’t, then it’s time to replace it. And be ruthless- your work clothes should be a professional asset, not a well-loved pet!
No shouting please! Your work attire should never have prominent logos, loud colours or patterns. Similarly, your clothing should not reveal too much skin or be too tight.
Pay attention to your collar: a collared item such as a shirt or a polo shirt generally feel like a more professional garment, but they need care. If you decide on wearing a garment without a collar, make sure the neckline isn’t crumpled.
Care for a friend: your work attire is a personal asset- care for them! My personal recommendation is to rotate all your garments and footwear, so they can “rest”. All these items get stretched by our bodies, not wearing them day after day gives them time to return to their shape.
This may seem like an extensive list, but once you get into the habit, you’ll run through all these checks in a matter of seconds daily. I suggest to most of my clients to have a work uniform- items that you keep just for work and are located in a separate part of your wardrobe. This will cut down on time wasted rifling through all your clothes every single morning. Try and make sure that most of the pieces will combine with each other. For example, don’t buy a shirt that will only match one trouser- otherwise you’re always stuck with the same combination. The easiest way to achieve this is by having several neutral colours- both in tops and bottoms.
These are just a few pointers at how to achieve and support a look that is relaxed, yet professional. At Marble Arc, we’ve been dressing individuals and groups for 35 years. If you, or your organisation, require help in formulating a dress code that matches your values and aspirations, then email me raju@marblearc.com to get the conversation started.
SHARE THIS
OTHER
Over the past 18 years, I've had the privilege of working with a diverse range of businesses and industries, gaining insights into the challenges they face in implementing effective diversity and inclusion strategies. Often, DEI&B is viewed as a 'nice to have' rather than an essential component of business success. With this in mind, I'm excited to share valuable insights and practical steps to help you create environments where everyone can thrive. You've probably heard of DEI&B, but what do these letters really mean, and why do they matter for you and your organisation? Diversity includes differences like race, gender, age, neurodiversity, disability, LGBTQ+, culture, and more; Equity ensures equal opportunities for all; Inclusion values everyone's contributions; and Belonging means individuals feel accepted and integral to the organisation.
Artificial Intelligence promises unprecedented opportunities for small business owners in Gibraltar. As the digital landscape faces constant evolution, understanding AI becomes not just beneficial but essential for businesses aiming to thrive in 2024. In this article, we aim to demystify the complexities surrounding AI, offering an approachable guide to its fundamentals, history, and practical applications for businesses, providing you with the knowledge to embrace this technology confidently.
We all have bad days, right? In business, that can mean we don’t bring our A-game to work and perhaps our service slips. Maybe a dish takes too long to reach a table or a staff member sounds distracted at the till. This could lead to negative Google Reviews or on ‘that’ Facebook group that […]
“People want to know the stories behind the products they buy. It’s not just about what’s on the shelf, but the journey it took to get there.” – Stella, Spirit of The Rock As consumer habits shift towards mindfulness and sustainability, the concept of slow shopping has emerged, offering both challenges and opportunities for small businesses. Slow shopping encourages consumers to take their time, make more thoughtful purchases, and focus on quality over quantity.
Fair recruitment is based on the principle that candidates are judged on their ability to do the job rather than influenced by factors such as an applicant’s gender, religion, ethnicity, or any other quality unrelated to their skills and expertise. As the Founder of Rock Learning and the Co-Founder of the ‘Count me In’ DEIB Conference, I have developed a deep understanding of the topic and how small businesses can implement inclusive hiring practices.
Did you know that what you eat directly affects your energy levels, brain function, and stress resilience? Poor dietary habits—such as skipping meals, consuming too much caffeine, or relying on processed foods—can lead to energy crashes, brain fog, and reduced efficiency. On the other hand, a well-balanced diet stabilises blood sugar, enhances cognitive function, and keeps stress levels in check.
Over the past few years, I’ve noticed the same logo cropping up more and more often. On coffee cups. On consultancy websites. In email signatures and pitch decks. The familiar B Corp badge, quietly signalling that a business is trying to do things differently. With our horizons widening post-treaty, could this globally-relevant badge could become a way of promoting your CSR values to an international market?
We’ve said it before and it’s only getting louder: AI is reshaping how businesses work. From chatbots and smart analytics to automated content and decision-making tools, AI is helping smaller firms punch well above their weight. But with that power comes responsibility. As AI use grows, so do the risks around data privacy, and under GDPR, getting it wrong can mean serious fines and lasting reputational damage.
As the CEO of a specialist security business called Paladin Defence and close protection operative/ private security contractor, I have experienced security threats of all types since 1990. From opportunistic personal attacks to targeted organised commercial crime, I feel there is a lot more we should be doing to defend and protect ourselves. Understandably, Gibraltar is considered to have a relatively low crime rate; but what are the realistic threats and risks to small businesses in our corner of the Mediterranean?
The Treaty between the EU and the UK over Gibraltar is finally giving us some clarity, and yet, it also reminds us just how much sits outside our control. The finer details will take months to surface. Political tides may shift. Promises will be tested by practicalities. Every day, we face issues beyond our reach: new legislation, competitor actions, market trends, customer behaviour, staff turnover, illness, family responsibilities, global events. All of it lives in what Stephen Covey calls the Circle of Concern - things we care about, but cannot directly change. The more we fixate on them, the more frustration can grow.
Thrive catches up with Nick Pitaluga TEP, Managing Director of Gibraltar Trust & Corporate Services Limited - “GTCS”. From starting out as a messenger to leading his firm through a major merger, Nick talks about the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone and offers inspiration for anyone carving their own niche.
3 mins |
How to: Brainstorm
If you’ve been dreaming of starting your own business, you’re not alone. Data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the annual number of companies registered is edging closer to the one million mark, that’s up by 75,000 in 2022 which itself was 30,000 higher than in 2021. Whether it's following a passion, aiming for financial independence, or breaking free from the 9-5 grind, every entrepreneurial journey begins with one crucial thing: a solid idea. But coming up with that perfect idea can be tough. This is where brainstorming comes in—it’s the creative springboard that can help you turn your business dreams into reality.
When you’re a small business, staying one step ahead of the competition is essential. Yet, many small business owners grapple with the decision to invest in employee training and development. With limited resources and immediate financial pressures, it can unintentionally get pushed to the bottom of the priority list. However, investing in your team’s learning and development is a strategic move that can yield significant returns.
In business, we often concentrate on the what and how of an enterprise.
When you’ve been running your own business for a while, you know what works, and it’s easy to rely on the skills that got you to where you are. Chances are, you’re comfortable doing things in a certain way, and your team knows what to expect from your leadership style.
Last month marked eight years since the UK voted to leave the European Union. I remember the exact moment I read the headline ‘UK Votes to Leave the EU’ on my phone and the feeling of shock that started to set in. My first thought was, “Er, now what?” Little did I know I would still be asking that question eight years later… Eight years of uncertainty, negotiations, grace periods, frameworks, and meticulously crafted non-statements. But still no solution.
Imposter syndrome is a psychological behaviour where individuals, including many high achievers, struggle with persistent feelings of self-doubt, inadequacy, or the fear of being exposed as a fraud. Despite their achievements, those experiencing imposter syndrome believe they are undeserving of their success or worry that they've misled others into overestimating their abilities.
Whether you’re an ebook tapper or traditional page turner, there are thousands of books that can make you better at business. Áine Panter, Head of the School of Business at the University of Gibraltar has curated a list of must-reads that will inspire, inform, and equip you for success.
Whether you’re building a business from the ground up or hoping to grow an existing operation, having a strong business development strategy is the foundation of success. But real, sustainable growth doesn’t come from chasing the next big thing, it comes from getting the essentials right. So, what are the fundamentals you can’t afford to ignore? In my view, this starts with something I call the “Holy Trinity” of small business marketing...
In the latest edition of Thrive, regular contributor John Hayes reflects on the uncertainty facing small and medium-sized businesses in Gibraltar. From Brexit fallout to ever-changing frontier delays, he unpacks why the border remains a top concern—and how local firms are adapting. While resolving post-Brexit cross-border issues is beyond the scope of this correspondent, there are practical steps business owners can take to mitigate and manage the challenges of this uncertainty.