PA Life readers reveal how they dress for work

Do you still wear a suit to the office?

PA Life readers have revealed their thoughts on formalwear in the workplace, and despite a clear winner emerging early on, the results completely changed within the last few hours. Asking our Twitter users if we’ve reached the end of the traditional business suit and how often our readers dress in formal attire for the office, the results were polarising.

Is this the end for the traditional business suit? Do you still dress formally to the office? https://t.co/81g4DMaAxk

— PA Life (@PALifeMag) February 1, 2018

With an initial majority, many PAs admitted they only ever dust the smart clothes off for a job interview, ending with around one in three rarely getting the suit out. The end result, however, saw 46% very much declaring that the business suit is alive and well, saying that they always have and always will.

Lisa Neath, EA and Chartered Manager at Sulzer commented on our LinkedIn page, reminding us that while she’d always rather look smart than casual, it does depend on the industry.

The poll followed recent news that 2018 will mark the end of the traditional business suit as reports revealed that women are benefitting more from casual dress than trouser suits.

“In the past, women had to dress like men to reach senior positions in the workplace,” explained Professor Karen Pine, psychologist at Hertfordshire University. “Now they can dress as they like and assert their individuality through their work attire, without fear of bumping up against the glass ceiling.”

Do you still wear formal attire or do you find it more beneficial to dress down? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.