Workplace Look Becoming More Button-Down
Fall 1997 fashions for men have one key component that sets them apart from previous seasons and leads us to believe there really is some common sense being exercised in the fashion design studios around the world.
The main theme emerging is a strong shift away from casual dressing in the professional workplace.
“Casual Fridays” started as an attempt on the part of many managers to give workers a false notion that their weekends actually started at the office on Friday.
But the dressed-down attitude has become so popular that it’s slowly crept into the rest of the week. Many offices have begun to resemble the lobbies of beach resorts instead of those of accountants, attorneys and architects.
People wear slacks on Mondays and Tuesdays, jeans on Wednesdays, shorts on Thursdays and sweats on Fridays. Going beyond casual, many employees cross the line into sloppy. Unfortunately, productivity and general office etiquette tend to diminish along with attire.
This trend had only two ways to go - even more casual (boxers and undershirts?) or a return to the classics.
Thankfully, the classics are back as the casual look gives way to the reintroduction of the business suit for men.
Don’t fear. These are not the cookie-cutter power suits of the 1980s. They are suits with personality.
The jackets have wide shoulders and a loose, almost boxy fit. Most jackets have two buttons but we’ll continue to see some of the retro-inspired designs with three buttons. (Hint: to be truly fashion-forward only button the top button.)
The pants are cut with flat fronts and wide legs. Cuffs are definitely out.
The most popular fabric for this classic style is also classic: wool. Alone or blended with mohair, cashmere or Tencel, wool is comfortable yet looks sharp even after sitting through a budget meeting or long commute.
The suit colors are very earthy. Brown, black and charcoal are predominant. These should lighten up by next spring when we’ll see sand, beige and grey gain in popularity.
Dress shirts and silk ties are also making a comeback. The shirts are an especially important ingredient in making this look work.
Gone are the neutrals we’ve seen so for so long. They’ve been replaced by fresh hues that blend well with the suit tones. Bordeaux, vanilla, ecru, granite and French blue, all with a subtle iridescence, give men a variety of interesting options.
Ties are getting wider and reflect the interests these men pursue outside the office.
Perhaps the purchase of the tie supports a favorite charity or the design features a computer-generated graphic. Whatever the case, the key element to look for when selecting ties is lots of color with a touch of shimmer.
Whether you are just getting started on your journey up the corporate ladder, or you’re firmly established in the middle of management, or you’re the CEO of your own company, if you are a man in business, it’s time to put away the cargo shorts and start dressing up for work this fall.
Shanna Southern Peterson is a Spokane writer and home economist. The Clothesline appears weekly. Ideas for the column may be sent to her c/o The Spokesman-Review Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210, or e-mail shanptr@aol.com.