Deirdre Reynolds: If clothes maketh the man, would it kill people to maketh an effort in the office?

"We don't need to go all 'Mad Men' when it comes to appropriate work-wear, but tracksuits and combats don't cut it if you want to be taken seriously in your profession"

"There's a saying that you should "dress for the job you want, not the job you have"."

"If that's even remotely true, then I can only assume that there are a lot of office workers in Ireland secretly dreaming of becoming a professional bed tester."

Appropriate workplace attire should balance professionalism and comfort without reverting to overly formal retro fashion. Extremely casual garments such as tracksuits and combat trousers undermine professional credibility and reduce the likelihood of being taken seriously. The guideline to 'dress for the job you want, not the job you have' frames clothing as a signal of ambition and role suitability. Excessive casualness can create incongruous impressions, suggesting low-effort or unsuitable career aspirations. Choosing neat, intentional, and role-appropriate clothing supports perceptions of competence and promotes professional respect in office environments. Employers and employees benefit when dress choices align with workplace expectations and projected professional image.

Read at Independent