To access extended pro and con arguments, sources, and discussion questions about whether dress codes should be implemented and enforced, go to ProCon.org.
While the most frequent debate about dress codes may be centered around K-12 schools, dress codes impact just about everyone’s daily life. From the “no shirt, no shoes, no service” signs (which exploded in popularity in the 1960s and 70s in reaction to the rise of hippies) to COVID-19 pandemic mask mandates, employer restrictions on tattoos and hairstyles, and clothing regulations on airlines, dress codes are more prevalent than we might think.
While it’s difficult to pinpoint the first dress code–humans started wearing clothes around 170,000 years ago–nearly every culture and country throughout history, formally or informally, have had strictures on what to wear and not to wear. These dress codes are common “cultural signifiers,” reflecting social beliefs and cultural values, most often of the social class dominating the culture. Such codes have been prevalent in Islamic countries since the founding of the religion in the seventh century, and they continue to cause controversy today—are they appropriate regulations for maintaining piety, community, and public decency, or are they demeaning and oppressive, especially for Islamic women?
In the West, people were arrested and imprisoned as early as 1565 in England for violating dress codes. The man in question, a servant named Richard Walweyn, was arrested for wearing “a very monsterous and outraygeous great payre of hose” (or trunk hose) and was imprisoned until he could show he owned other hose “of a decent & lawfull facyon.” Other dress codes of the time reserved expensive garments made of silk, fur, and velvet for nobility only, reinforcing how dress codes have been implemented for purposes of social distinction. Informal dress codes—such ashigh-fashion clotheswith logos and the unofficial “Midtown Uniform” worn by men working in finance–underscore how often dress codes have been used to mark and maintain visual distinctions between classes and occupations. Other dress codes have been enacted overtly to police morality, as with the bans on bobbed hair andflapper dressesof the 1920s. Still other dress codes are intended to spur an atmosphere of inclusiveness and professionalism or specifically to maintain safety in the workplace.
PRO
Dress codes enforce decorum and a serious, professional atmosphere conducive to success.
Uniformly mandated dress codes promote safety.
Dress codes promote inclusiveness and a comfortable, cooperative environment while eliminating individualistic attire that can distract from common goals.
CON
Dress codes reinforce racist standards of beauty and dress.
Uniformly mandated dress codes are seldom uniformly mandated, often discriminating against women and marginalized groups.
Dress codes bolster religious and cultural intolerance.
This article was published on May 6, 2022, at Britannica’s ProCon.org, a nonpartisan issue-information source.
Special dress codes or uniforms can promote professionalism and unity while simplifying enforcement and strengthening brand identity. However, they may limit personal expression, cause discomfort, incur costs, and not be suitable for all job roles or environments.
Relaxed dress codes allow individuals to express themselves through clothing, which is helpful for fostering creativity, and may be particularly appreciated by members of the LGBT+ community. By contrast, a formal dress code can make employees feel restricted and uncomfortable.Discomfort.
Dress codes include social perception, norms, and purposes. The implementation of dress codes creates orderliness and safety. Dress code identifies you that you belong to the group, gives you a sense of belongingness.
It's a deeply ingrained desire to convey one's personality, values, and creativity through clothing choices. The imposition of strict dress codes often clashes with this fundamental need for self-expression, pushing employees into a mold that may not align with their authentic selves.
Dress codes causes families to waste additional money buying extra clothes. Dress codes can make kids late for school and hurt their grades. Lastly, uniform school clothes can be uncomfortable and make it so students cannot focus.
Dress codes aren't right for every business and every employee, however. Overly strict dress codes can negatively impact morale – especially among employees who don't interact with the public, and who may feel having to dress to the nines or wear a name tag is silly or degrading.
In addition, the enforcement of dress codes is often discriminatory, as the GAO found. Educators who enforce them often unfairly target students of color, LGBTQ students, and girls. That's because a lot of school dress codes are gendered, and over 90 percent ban clothing worn predominantly by girls.
Schools also have dress codes because it helps prevent students from being bullied based on their clothing, especially if they wear something offensive or inappropriate. It also helps them prepare for professional environments as adults in the workplace.
Having a dress code can tell a girl that the way she dresses and looks is important to others, and this can make girls feel more self-conscious about themselves, which can sometimes cause eating disorders and anxiety. “Me wearing something that I'm comfortable in, that doesn't distract anyone shouldn't be a problem.
Under this law, and various similar state laws, employers cannot impose dress codes that discriminate against employees based on any of the "protected characteristics."
Some students may feel school uniforms can potentially increase confidence by promoting a sense of belonging, reducing socioeconomic distinctions, and minimizing peer pressure associated with fashion, while others may feel restricted and less confident due to limited self-expression.
This can lead to employees feeling restricted at work or self-conscious about their appearance. It can also negatively impact a company's culture as people feel disconnected from the organization's values . Over time, employees may begin to feel resentment and discontent at work.
If the uniform material is cheap, itchy, or restrictive, it can easily distract your employees or make them physically uncomfortable; in turn, they may not perform their duties as efficiently as they could.
A well-structured dress code can foster a sense of belonging and pride among employees, while a poorly conceived one can stifle diversity and individual expression. Employers must develop a dress code that upholds the company's standards of professionalism without undermining the diversity of its workforce.
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Introduction: My name is Roderick King, I am a cute, splendid, excited, perfect, gentle, funny, vivacious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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