In the return-to-office era, employees are taking the comforts of work-from-home days right back into the workplace. Gone are the days of suits and ties — the new office uniform might just be khaki pants and pricey tees. Most of corporate America has switched to either a relaxed dress code or no dress code at all, with very few companies requiring employees to be dressed up for work. If you’ve ever watched an episode of Mad Men, you know what the standard uniform for men to wear to the office looks like: stiff, tailored suits, crisp white shirts, and ties. While these outfits might have worked in days gone by, the maintenance — starching, dry cleaning, ironing — isn’t so compatible with today’s lifestyle. Instead, in the post-pandemic era, refined comfort is the name of the game. Now companies are pushing employees to return to the office, and many of those employees are holding on to the comfort they enjoyed at home. Loosely defined, “smart casual” has become the new office dress code. Surprisingly, once unthinkable shorts have also entered the workplace. Of course, the shorts have to be the appropriate length — slightly above the knee — and worn with a typical golf-style shirt. While conservatism has gained cultural momentum in recent years, the three-piece suits and ties won’t be coming back to the office anytime soon.
