Dress Codes

[Mars Man]

Another thing about dress codes: they are a lot stricter for men. "Smart" dress means at the very least a shirt and trousers for men, but the definition for women is a lot looser. I have an idea of why that is but would like to hear what others think.

Got me; why might that be? Here, in Japan, I'd think we'd be safely in correct territory to claim that it may well be the opposite . . . what the women at work have to wear, and how they pretty much have to wear it, is more usually (I'm going to at least avoid 'most') stricter than for their male counterparts.

Here at the uni, the ladies are even a little less adventurous than the men, in dress--even though there's no real code, per say (maybe there is, written down somewhere, but it's never spoken of). I usually go casual-dress, with a tie.

[Tsuyoiko]

Got me; why might that be? Here, in Japan, I'd think we'd be safely in correct territory to claim that it may well be the opposite . . . what the women at work have to wear, and how they pretty much have to wear it, is more usually (I'm going to at least avoid 'most') stricter than for their male counterparts.

That's interesting. Here, it's definitely looser for women. Without exception, the men in the offices near to mine all wear shirt with collar and suit trousers at the very least. The higher the pay the smarter the dress: project managers all wear ties, department heads all wear suits. There's no written rule about this, it's just something everyone seems to conform to.

The variation in women's dress is much greater. I usually wear jeans, as does my boss, occasionally. Project managers (including my boss) almost never wear business suits, but stick to dresses, skirts or trousers with casual tops, often showing a fair amount of cleavage. The department heads don't always wear suits - they often do, but they just as often wear more casual stuff. Even the Vice-Chancellor never wears a suit, but her male deputies always do.

I think the reason more variation is tolerated for women is that until recently it's been rare for women to reach the top jobs where they need to reflect some kind of corporate image. When we are quietly tucked away in offices it doesn't matter so much what we wear. Although women are more likely to be in the managerial jobs now, it seems as though the strict male dress code hasn't carried over for some reason.

[RolandtheHeadless]

Interesting that female managers show cleavage there. Here in the US, displaying cleavage at work is now a sure way for a woman to NOT be taken seriously as a professional.

[Axelle]

Well...I've just graduated on high school so I'd like to write about school uniforms...hope it's not off-topic..Well, in my country it is very very rare that a kid would wear a school uniform but there are a lot of discussions about it...if it's good or not...but I think that it's quite half and half. I agree with the half which say that it's for nothing...Originally uniforms at school should be worn for deleting social differences between students...but honestly...wearing the same uniform won't make everyone equal.

[Tsuyoiko]

Interesting that female managers show cleavage there. Here in the US, displaying cleavage at work is now a sure way for a woman to NOT be taken seriously as a professional.

I wonder if women are trying to make a statement about their ability to be a manager while still being a woman. I think they are saying that it's possible to compete with men while retaining their femininity.

Well...I've just graduated on high school so I'd like to write about school uniforms...hope it's not off-topic..Well, in my country it is very very rare that a kid would wear a school uniform but there are a lot of discussions about it...if it's good or not...but I think that it's quite half and half. I agree with the half which say that it's for nothing...Originally uniforms at school should be worn for deleting social differences between students...but honestly...wearing the same uniform won't make everyone equal.

Virtually all schools here in the UK have school uniforms, and like you I have mixed feelings about it. When I was at school the uniform was quite different for boys and girls; girls had to wear skirts. Nowadays girls can wear trousers, which I think is an improvement. I think you're right that one idea behind the uniform is to eliminate social differences, but I think it's also to make children conform and try to suppress their individuality, because it's perceived to be easier to control them if they are less individualised. I totally agree with you that it doesn't make everyone equal. Like most kids, I found ways to customise my uniform and assert my individuality.

[Axelle]

I prefer individuality of everyone...that's why I am against all dress codes (don't try to prove that I'm wrong this is an opinion I won't change). In CR children don't wear uniforms. But I think that on high schools it's not necessary because children who are 15 years and older have no intention to make social differences betweem themselves and others (or at least people who I knew and went to school with)...I think that rather schools from 6-15 years old are quite "dangerous" zone in this point of view. I remember times around 11-14 when when you didn't have "cool" clothes and clothes according to the latest fashion you were outsider.

[Derfel]

I always hear this argument that the purpose of a school uniform, among other things, is to protect kids from harsh verbal criticism, verbal bullying. I always thought, would it not be better to teach kids not to give a toss about the criticism from their peers?

I was a right ***** in school and to tell the truth, there were so many things, other than their clothing, that let me take the piss out of people. Now kids won't have to be bullied for their clothing, they'll be bullied for their parents' employment, education, their physical traits and mental capacity, their academic performance, their political orientation. Just bring it all on, school would be such a boring hellhole without the hatred. It is a place where kids grow accustomed to conflict and stop being wimps. They don't need sheltered from from every bloody thing.

[Axelle]

In my school it was OK, only little fights between girls, but nothing about clothings or parents and so on. It was caused by different opinions in some things or performance of each of them. Bullying because of clothing or social origin belongs to primary school I think.

[Tsuyoiko]

Bullying because of clothing or social origin belongs to primary school I think.

It's more common in secondary school here I think. Both when I was at school, and when I worked as a school librarian a few years ago, ages 12-16 were the worst. Although kids wore school uniform in both cases, the "popular" girls would make your life hell if you didn't wear exactly the right kind of shoes and the right brand of bag.

[Axelle]

etoo...I am quite lost in system of education of my country comparing systems of other countries...I call primary school all grades from 6 to 15 years...as secondary I mean from 15-19...in my country...on my secondary school it was OK...on primary...well I didn't care I have never been bullied but I quess I was an outsider and it was much better.

[Tsuyoiko]

etoo...I am quite lost in system of education of my country comparing systems of other countries...I call primary school all grades from 6 to 15 years...as secondary I mean from 15-19...in my country...on my secondary school it was OK...on primary...well I didn't care I have never been bullied but I quess I was an outsider and it was much better.

Thanks for the clarification - here primary is 4-11 and secondary is 11-18.

[Axelle]

I heard that in Japan is a problem for employers to employ someone who has his hair dyed blond...is it really so strict? One Japanese girl said that blond is quite "rebelious" color...of course in case that the person is Japanese...

[kvnfrnk]

I think those uniforms are designed to be comfortable for every person,either in school or in any other places like any occasional parties.

[Sabrina miew]

I like dress codes. that way i can be a lazy robot an put on my standard stuff and head out.
No thinking in the morning. I love it.

to me it al about being lazy when putting on clothes in the morning

[Derfel]

I like dress codes. that way i can be a lazy robot an put on my standard stuff and head out.
No thinking in the morning. I love it.
to me it al about being lazy when putting on clothes in the morning

It is easier not to pick specific clothes than it is to pick specific clothes in accordance with some criterion.

[Sabrina miew]

That might be right derfel.
I just find it easier at the jobs how have some what of a dress code.
I’m an idiot when it comes to dressing and it really shows at school. For some reason my clothes are always either to formal or showy or there is something ells wrong with it.
Its hell when I figure out that al the usual sets are broken because some item happens to be in the was.
I would kill for a school uniform complete with bag. I’ll know if its clean or not and just live of 3 sets.
Plus I’m interested in the money it should save. I hate school if you don’t have anything new for a month you get hassled for it. I can Handel that, but I just find it annoying because it a waste of cash. *my closet is stuffed as it is anyway.
Well I’ll be working as an iterm for 20 week with a semi strict dress code. I’ll see if I’ll still like when I’m done

[Lomexray]

Dress code explores the neccesary of the senses and emotions in the way people dress and how they attach value and significance to clothing.

[Nuala]

I am assigned a uniform & name tag at work. I am expected to wear some variant of black pants while at work. Dress slacks or khakis are preferred, but there is leeway given in regards to the pants. You must also have an acceptable physical appearance, meaning you brush your teeth, bathe, comb your hair, and other basics. It's not so bad.

[Seij]

I work in sales and I deal with customers face to face so I must look presentable. I enjoy wearing dress shirts and pants with a nice belt. I think it's a nice look myself.
If you do not have a "professional" looking image then how can people take you seriously if you are wearing pants sagging off your butt, hat turned to the side, walking with an intentional limp, in a shirt 2 times bigger than you are?
You wouldn't wear that you say? Well since there are no uniforms in place someone would. That is why there are uniforms.
If you work in a manufacturing facility it is more laid back (jeans, shirt that won't get caught im machinery, etc) and if you stock shelves it is even more lax.

[Derfel]

I work in sales and I deal with customers face to face so I must look presentable. I enjoy wearing dress shirts and pants with a nice belt. I think it's a nice look myself.
If you do not have a "professional" looking image then how can people take you seriously if you are wearing pants sagging off your butt, hat turned to the side, walking with an intentional limp, in a shirt 2 times bigger than you are?
You wouldn't wear that you say? Well since there are no uniforms in place someone would. That is why there are uniforms.
If you work in a manufacturing facility it is more laid back (jeans, shirt that won't get caught im machinery, etc) and if you stock shelves it is even more lax.

That is a simplistic claim.

Following your reasoning you would, no doubt, be suspicious of this man if you met him in his quality as an employee.



And yet he is Niccolo Machiavelli.

We make up fashion and clothing norms. It is the stupidity of our species that forces certain persons to wear different types of arbitrary clothing or various arbitrary colours, sizes and fabric.

[Seij]

That is a simplistic claim.
Following your reasoning you would, no doubt, be suspicious of this man if you met him in his quality as an employee.
And yet he is Niccolo Machiavelli.
We make up fashion and clothing norms. It is the stupidity of our species that forces certain persons to wear different types of arbitrary clothing or various arbitrary colours, sizes and fabric.

lol. Talk about taking things out of context. Well...if you want to take things out of context and argue minutia:
Why not go back in time to where it was common place for aristocrats to wear wigs or sport some Italian hose? I mean, how dare anyone not take a guy serious who applies for a job in the year 2011 wearing a leather tunic and a cloak? Don't they know that at some point in history there was a famous guy who wore knee high tunics, with a sword and shield and an embroidered brimmed hat with a peacock feather in it who was really accomplished?
For shame, our "simplistic", short sighted, and haughty nature in wanting a standardized "business professional" dress. lol. But hey, you don't have to work in the "business professional" world ya know?
Many financially successful people have careers doing things that don't require an "official" dress code and more power to them too.