23 March 2001 -
A survey commissioned by Austin Reed reveals that men dress more smartly than women in the office.
The Consumer Analysis Group surveyed 500 men and women in England, Scotland and Wales.
53% of both sexes agreed that men were the smartest dressers in their office. And 1 in 6 men
(described as `hopeful') admitted to choosing work clothes in order to attract female colleagues.
The survey also found solicitors and barristers to be the most unfashionable and
`un-cool' office workers in Britain - or so said 28% of survey respondents. They were followed
in the 'un-cool' stakes by bankers and accountants (22%), IT professionals (17%) and journalists
(15%).
More details:
* 69% of men claimed to favour more relaxed businesswear over dark suits.
* 63% of men favoured a relaxation of the dress code for men in offices - 45% of women agree.
* 37% of male respondents considered that relaxed, coordinated jackets and trousers were appropriate
workwear these days. But only 15% of men would want to dress down in jeans or cords. Just 4% of
men said they would feel comfortable wearing a t-shirt, and 9% a sweatshirt.
Of the people who would like a change to office dress code, colour was identified as
the most important factor with 84% of women and 70% of men wanting more "colour co-ordination" and
more "colourful styles."
66% of women felt that the clothes worn by men in the office had an effect on
colleagues' opinions of their ability, but only 41% of men agreed.
* One in three men admitted to sometimes wearing odd socks to work, with young men being the most haphazard..
* Almost half of male office workers claimed to look after laundering of their
shirts and ties (43%), but only 10% of women agreed. 80% of women with partners working in
offices said they laundered their partner's shirts.
Austin Reed Website: http://www.austinreed.co.uk
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