THE BUSINESS DRESS CODE

Choosing your outfit for a day at work, for a job interview, for a business lunch or for a similar event when you want to make the best
impression can be difficult and give you a lot of headaches when checking your wardrobe, but if you are aware and if you follow certain
dress codes you can simplify things dramatically.
In the business world nowadays there are a lot of written and unwritten rules concerning the dress code that must be followed both by
employers and by employees. In business, people usually work in an office and in order to be efficient at what they are doing they must feel
comfortably in their workplace. But this does not mean neglecting the way they dress since they have to display a professional image for
their customers or potential partners. That is why there are some standards for the dress code.
It is obvious that casual clothing or clothing that one wears to the beach, to dance clubs, to parties, to gym sessions or the like, is not
appropriate to wear at work. The appropriate business attire requires that clothing should always be pressed and it should never be wrinkled
or dirty. Some companies encourage wearing clothes with the company logo or colours, as a way of promoting the company’s image.
It goes without saying that different societies and cultures have different business dress codes, but the standard in the field refers to
both men and women wearing a suit, a jacket and pants. Of course this is a very simplified approach since there is also the aspect of colours
– the standard being that of black and white, but shades of dark grey, blue, brown and other earth tones can never go wrong. Always stay
away from bright colours since they attract attention in an unnecessary way. Women have more options and a wider range of choices to
combine and create appropriate business outfits.
The most conservative type of business wear refers to a business suit, or dress and jacket for women (short or long-sleeved, according
to the season), and a tie for men. For a more relaxed business style, women can choose a casual look: a shirt with a collar and/or a sweater,
pants/trousers, or moderate-length (knee-length) skirt or dress and a pair of nice shoes-either moderate heels or flats; men can choose a shirt
with a collar and/or a sweater, pants and shoes, no tie required.
Revealing clothing should be avoided. In case you have tattoos or body art, it should be covered. For women, jewellery, make-up, hair
and perfume should never be ostentatious, but conservative and tasteful, since everything that stands out distracts attention. For men, they
should always be neat and shaved off. Personal hygiene is highly important too.
Thus, if you follow some basic rules, if you observe the way your colleagues or bosses dress, if you pay attention to details and if you
have good taste you will definitely make a good impression and you won’t break the business dress code .
Dialogue: It's Saturday and Mrs Smith has gone shopping with her friend Lucy for a new dress in the sales:
Mrs Smith: Well Lucy, what do you think?
Lucy: Mmm, it's nice, but I think you need a slightly bigger size. The top is too tight.
Mrs Smith: I think this is the only one. I'd better ask an assistant. Excuse me? Do you have this in size 44?
Shop assistant: I'm afraid everything in the sale is out on display.
Mrs Smith: Oh dear, it's just a bit too tight.
Shop assistant: I think we have size 44 in red.
Mrs Smith: Oh no. Red is just not my colour.
Shop assistant: It's not bright red, it's a nice dark red. Here it is. Why don't you try it on? There's a changing room free over there.
Mrs Smith: It fits like a glove. What do you think Lucy?
Lucy: It looks really nice. I guess red suits you after all.

I. Answer the questions:

1. State your opinion regarding the business dress code in our society. How important is the way people dress?
2. Why is it difficult sometimes to choose an appropriate outfit? What do you think about school uniforms?
3. What does an appropriate business outfit generally require? Which are the best colours to use?
4. How should women dress to fit the business dress code? What should they avoid?
5. How should men dress to fit the business dress code? What should they avoid?
6. Can you give examples of different dress codes according to different cultures (religious countries, Muslim people, Asian culture, etc.)?
7. Which is your favourite dress style? How do you dress when you go to an interview/a business meeting/a graduation ceremony?
8. Is it fair to have our judgments influenced by the way people dress?
9. Is it true that “a book shouldn’t be judged by its covers”?
10. What do you think about revealing clothes, tattoos, piercing etc?
11. What happens if you wear jeans and t-shirts at your workplace?
12. Comment on: “Elegance does not consist in putting on a new dress.” // “I don't want to be just known for the way I dress. I want to be
known for how I work, how I treat people, how I am as a person.”

II. Write synonyms for these words and expressions:

• outfit = ………………………………………………….….…………………………………………………….
• to be aware = ………………………………..……………………..…………………….………………………
• dramatically = ……….……………………………………………………………………….…………………..
• appropriate = …………………………..…………………………………………………..……………………..

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 • workplace = ………………………………………………………………………………………...……………
• different = ………………………………………………………………………….…………………….………
• obvious = ……………………………………………………………………..…………………………………..

III. Fill in the blanks with these words: focused, easier, to introduce, off, benefits, provides, compulsory, obey the rules, school work.
School uniforms should be compulsory!
80% of the parents from the USA want .................................. school uniforms. There are great .............................. for children who
wear a school uniform, it sets a high example of the school, and it is a representation of the local community and also has an impact on
keeping children ............................. and reducing distractions. Having a school uniform helps students to concentrate on ...............................
instead of fashion. There is absolutely no doubt that uniforms result in better discipline and values and installs a sense of pride among
students. A uniform ............................ a simple and effective message to both children and parents that everyone is equal and that they must
................................ Having a school uniform means “less attention on fashion and social status vs. what we are at school for – and that is to
learn”. Uniforms will also make parents and teachers’ lives a lot ............................... by promoting equality and not discriminating against
the wealth of families. Reducing tension on parents getting children organised for coming to school. It also takes pressure ....................
teachers who would have to police clothing being worn in schools.

School uniforms should be ....................................... . As a result children will be more focused; it gives an effective message that
all children are equal. It also makes it easier for teachers and parents to manage. It increases school identity and equality.

IV. Make sentences with: to wear, wardrobe, to simplify things, jewellery, unwritten rules.

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...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................
V. Answer the questions in the picture:

VI. Choose the appropriate pronouns in each of the following sentences:

a. I/me want to design suits for men.
b. Mary and I/me are going to a party tonight.
c. He/him told us the truth about his/him friend.
d. This jacket is for she/her.
e. Our/us manager is in China to sign a contract.
f. The girl looked at her/herself in the mirror before she left the house.
g. This book is their/theirs.
h. Peter and Polly helped each other/one with another with the project.
i. Two of us/we are part of an international business team.
j. I remember that they/them gave we/us suggestions about how to dress.

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VII. Complete the following sentences with the appropriate words:
a. ……………… skirt here does not match at all …………….. shirt over there.
b. I told …………… sister that ………… deserves to be paid more.
c. Doris and Jim smile at ……………… every time ………… meet.
d. The five members of the team must respect ……………….. .
e. “She is not your friend, she is …………….. !” I said.
f. He talks to ………… wife every day when he is away.
g. My friends love jazz; this CD is for ……………. .
h. “Where is ………….. boss right now?” “…………. is on a business trip to Florida.”
i. ………… relatives are visiting them this weekend and ……....... have to wait for ………… at the train station.
j. This modern sports car is ………..……; I paid 35,000€ for it.

VIII. Translate into English:

1. Este bine să ai grijă de ţinuta ta ori de câte ori pleci de acasă.
2. Colegii mei poartă costume elegante la birou.
3. Aceste persoane au haine curate, călcate şi îngrijite.
4. Aceşti specialişti ne împărtăşesc experienţa lor în domeniul modei.
5. Acest băiat nu poartă niciodată uniforma la şcoală.
6. A sunat şeful meu? Am înţeles că mi-a lăsat un mesaj referitor la îmbrăcămintea pe care trebuie să o purtăm la serviciu.
7. Garderoba lor nu include haine potrivite pentru o ţinută formală.
8. Oricine poate discuta despre cum nu trebuie să te îmbraci sau ce să nu porţi în lumea afacerilor.
9. Noi avem mari emoţii la interviu şi trebuie să învăţăm să purtăm haine elegante.
10. Dacă ai prea multe haine, ar trebui să donezi din ele oamenilor săraci.

IX. Conjugate the verb „to wear” in sentences in the present continuous, affirmative and negative.

X. True or false?
a. For women the business dress code requires short skirts, bright colours and long lasting perfumes.
b. For men the appropriate business attire refers to a dark business suit, pants and a tie.
c. If you have some pink clothes, please wear them in the park.
d. In business, regardless the season, women must wear long-sleeved jackets or shirts and opaque tights.
e. Revealing clothing (showing skin, legs, etc.) is highly appropriate in the business world.
f. Paying attention to details in business is very important: never wear wrinkled or dirty clothes.
g. The best colours to wear in business are black and white, dark grey and earth tones.