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Informal wear or undress, also called business wear, corporate/office wear, tenue de ville or dress clothes, is a Western dress code for clothing defined by a business suit for men, and cocktail dress or pant suit for women. On the scale of formality, it is considered less formal than semi-formal wear but more formal than casual wear. Informal or undress should not be confused with casual wear such as business casual or smart casual; most situations calling for “informal wear” will usually tolerate casual dress to varying extents.

The suit originated as leisure wear in the late 19th century but eventually replaced the frock coat as everyday wear in the city. After World War I, the suit was established as informal daily wear. Hats, such as fedora or bowler hats, are sometimes worn with informal wear.

Informal wear is commonly applied for office use in professions like politics, academia, law and finance, business, as well as certain events such as job interviews in other sectors. It is a traditional dress code that aims to indicate respect to the situation and not draw attention.^[1]

History

The suit originated in Britain in the 19th-century as a leisurewear. Seeking a casual alternative to the knee-length, heavy frock coats then considered appropriate business dress, men began to wear lighter coats cut just below the seat when not engaged in business.

Standard suit-making fabric is fine combed wool, with the inclusion of cashmere in more expensive fabrics. Middle-price suits are often made of wool-polyester blends, whilst the cheapest are made entirely of polyester fabric.

This business suit (also known as the "sack suit" in North America, commonly by Brooks Brothers) became the standard business daywear for all men who were not engaged in physical labor. The waistcoat (British) or vest (American) was worn regularly with the suit up to World War II, but is rarely seen today, due to central heating in offices and the expense of construction. Until at least the early 1960s it was common to wear a hat.

In general, business suits are characterized by three styles and a fourth fusion style. English suits are noted for having a "touch fit" to the wearer's body shape and carefully made padded shoulders. Italian suits are often slimmer, with higher armholes and highly shaped to complement a slim physique. Traditional American suits have lightly padded shoulders and loose natural fit with minimal shaping. Since the 1960s, designer brands (especially Polo Ralph Lauren) have created fusion style that brings a more shaped European look to the natural American cut.

Suits in Britain were often made in tweed, often with three pieces, and were worn outside the City of London. Tweed is made from uncombed wool, and, like all fabrics from the time, was thick and durable (18-ounce was considered medium-weight in the Edwardian era). A full tweed suit is less common today, with just tweed sports jackets more often worn, but is still used generally as everyday wear by some, and for outdoor sports such as shooting and angling. It is worn with appropriate accompanying clothes, much as any other suit; brown full brogues and wool ties are common items not worn with other types of suit.

Etiquette

Informal attire is today considered a form of dress customarily appropriate for all formal settings, which do not explicitly require white tie or black tie. For instance, it is commonly worn to religious services and funerals, in government offices and schools. Some professions, like law or finance, may require it. Because of its strong association with the business world, informal attire is also known as international standard business dress, business professional or business formal.

Boys and men

Dress socks, differentiated from normal socks by a tighter fit and traditionally dark colors.
Underpants, seen as required by casual and above.
Dress pants, generally monochrome, and in a dark color or khaki colored pants. This does not normally include jeans.
Dress shoes, brown or black leather shoes. This can also include boat shoes.
Dress shirt, traditionally white, cream, or light blue, but pastel pink and lavender may be viewed as equally appropriate; checkered and striped shirts are seen as acceptable in most circumstances
Polo shirt, replacing the dress shirt, this has seen a surge in fashion starting in the mid to late 2010s.

Girls and women

Tights, Pantyhose, knee highs, stockings, or leggings generally covering the legs is good practice.
Undergarments, such as a bra and panties, the latter seen as required in casual and above.
One of:
- Slacks and a blouse, turtleneck or sweater or
- A skirt and a blouse, turtleneck or sweater or
- A dress
Dress shoes, for example ballet flats, riding boots, boat shoes, loafers, or pumps.
Makeup;^[2] however, people are tending to wear increasingly less makeup.

References

^ "Business Professional Attire for Men: The Complete Guide". Success Attire. Sep 10, 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-09-23. Retrieved Sep 23, 2016.
^ Dress for Success at Forbes.com

External links

[:0-1] "Business Professional Attire for Men: The Complete Guide". Success Attire. Sep 10, 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-09-23. Retrieved Sep 23, 2016.

[forbes-2] Dress for Success at Forbes.com

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Western dress code suited for office use}}
-{{Unreferenced|date=March 2007}}
+{{Distinguish|formal wear|semi-formal wear|casual wear}}
-{{Dress code (Western)}}
+{{Multiple issues|
+{{essay-like|date=November 2017}}
+{{More citations needed|date=November 2017}}
+{{original research|date=August 2013}}
+}}
+[[File:Shinzō Abe and Ivanka Trump (4).jpg|thumb|[[Shinzo Abe]] and [[Ivanka Trump]], both wearing Western [[suit|business suits]] (2017)]]
+{{Western dress codes|informal}}
+'''Informal wear''' or  '''undress''', also called '''business wear, corporate/office wear''', '''tenue de ville''' or '''dress clothes''', is a [[Western dress codes|Western dress code]] for [[clothing]] defined by a [[business suit]] for men, and [[cocktail dress]] or [[pant suit]] for women. On the scale of formality, it is considered less formal than [[semi-formal wear]] but more formal than [[casual wear]]. Informal or undress should not be confused with casual wear such as [[business casual]] or [[smart casual]]; most situations calling for “informal wear” will usually tolerate casual dress to varying extents.
+The suit originated as leisure wear in the late 19th century but eventually replaced the [[frock coat]] as everyday wear in the city. After [[World War I]], the suit was established as informal daily wear. [[Hat]]s, such as [[fedora]] or [[bowler hat]]s, are sometimes worn with informal wear.
-'''Informal''' is a [[dress code]] in the European tradition.  It is more presentational than [[semi-casual]], but offers more room for personal expression than [[semi-formal]] dress.  Informal should not to be confused with [[casual]], not even [[smart casual]].  Informal wear usually indicates a [[suit (clothes)|suit]] for [[men]], and a [[skirt and dress|dress]] or suit with either trousers or a [[skirt]] for women.  [[Brooks Brothers]] are famous purveyors of the former, while [[Coco Chanel]] pioneered the [[Femininity|feminine]] suit in the early [[20th century]].
+Informal wear is commonly applied for [[office]] use in professions like [[politics]], [[academia]], [[law]] and [[finance]], [[business]], as well as certain events such as [[job interviews]] in other sectors. It is a traditional dress code that aims to indicate respect to the situation and not draw attention.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://successattire.com/business-professional-attire/|title=Business Professional Attire for Men: The Complete Guide|date=Sep 10, 2016|website=Success Attire|access-date=Sep 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923195336/http://successattire.com/business-professional-attire/|archive-date=2016-09-23|url-status=dead}}</ref>
-[[image:rice-abdullah_600.jpg|right|thumb|350px|King [[Abdullah II of Jordan]] and [[United States Secretary of State|US Secretary of State]] [[Condoleezza Rice]] are wearing Western-style business suits.]]
+==History==
-Informal attire is also known as international standard business attire.
+The [[suit (clothing)|suit]] originated in Britain in the 19th-century as a leisurewear. Seeking a casual alternative to the knee-length, heavy [[frock coat]]s then considered appropriate business dress, men began to wear lighter coats cut just below the seat when not engaged in business.
+Standard suit-making fabric is fine combed wool, with the inclusion of cashmere in more expensive fabrics. Middle-price suits are often made of wool-polyester blends, whilst the cheapest are made entirely of polyester fabric.
-Informal attire consists of, for men, a [[suit (clothes)|suit]] &mdash; an ensemble composed of a pair of [[trousers]] with a matching [[jacket]]. The suit is typically dark-coloured (with or without a [[Pin striping#Textiles|pin stripe]] pattern), grey, dark blue or brown (although brown for business dress is often considered "old-fashioned" and associated with the early- to mid-twentieth century). The suit is worn with a long-sleeved [[dress shirt|shirt]] and a [[necktie]]. It is today considered a conservative form of dress, appropriate for nearly all formal settings that do not require [[white tie]] or [[black tie]]. For instance, it is commonly worn at [[wedding]]s, [[funeral]]s, and religious events, as well as in business settings.
+This business suit (also known as the "sack suit" in [[North America]], commonly by [[Brooks Brothers]]) became the standard business daywear for all men who were not engaged in physical labor. The waistcoat (British) or [[vest]] (American) was worn regularly with the suit up to [[World War II]], but is rarely seen today, due to central heating in offices and the expense of construction. Until at least the early 1960s it was common to wear a hat.
-Informal attire for women in its strictest interpretation is patterned after the male standard &mdash; suit consisting of a jacket with matching skirt or trousers, plus a [[blouse]].  This interpretation of informal attire is not quite so commonly worn by women as by men, as there are other forms of female attire acceptable in informal settings.
+In general, business suits are characterized by three styles and a fourth fusion style. English suits are noted for having a "touch fit" to the wearer's body shape and carefully made padded shoulders. Italian suits are often slimmer, with higher armholes and highly shaped to complement a slim physique. Traditional American suits have lightly padded shoulders and loose natural fit with minimal shaping. Since the 1960s, designer brands (especially Polo Ralph Lauren) have created fusion style that brings a more shaped European look to the natural American cut.
-==Origins==
-The [[suit]] was originally a [[19th century|nineteenth-century]] British innovation in dress: seeking a casual alternative to the long, heavy [[frock coat]]s then considered appropriate business dress, men began to wear lighter coats cut just below the waist when not engaged in business.
+Suits in Britain were often made in [[Tweed (cloth)|tweed]], often with three pieces, and were worn outside the [[City of London]].  Tweed is made from uncombed wool, and, like all fabrics from the time, was thick and durable (18-ounce was considered medium-weight in the Edwardian era).  A full tweed suit is less common today, with just tweed [[sports jacket]]s more often worn, but is still used generally as everyday wear by some, and for outdoor sports such as shooting and angling.  It is worn with appropriate accompanying clothes, much as any other suit; brown full brogues and wool ties are common items not worn with other types of suit.
-Standard suit making fabric is fine combed wool, with the inclusion of cashmere in more expensive fabrics. Cheaper suits are often made of wool-polyester blends.
+==Etiquette==
-This business suit (also known as the "sack suit" in [[North America]], commonly by [[Brooks Brothers]]) became the standard business daywear for all men who were not engaged in physical labor. The waistcoat (British) or [[vest]] (American) was worn regularly with the suit up to [[World War II]], but is rarely seen today, due to central heating in offices and the expense of construction. Until at least the early [[1960s]] it was common to wear a hat.
+Informal attire is today considered a form of dress customarily appropriate for all formal settings, which do not explicitly require [[white tie]] or [[black tie]]. For instance, it is commonly worn to religious services and funerals, in government offices and schools. Some professions, like law or finance, may require it. Because of its strong association with the business world, informal attire is also known as ''international standard business dress, business professional'' or ''business formal''.
+===Boys and men===
-In general, business suits are characterized by three styles and fourth fusion style. English suits are noted for having a "touch fit" to the wearer's body shape and carefully made padded shoulders. Italian suits are often slimmer, with higher armholes and highly shaped to complement a slim physique. Traditional American suits have lightly padded shoulders and loose natural fit with minimal shaping. Since the 1960s (especially Polo Ralph Lauren) have created fusion style that brings a more shaped European look to the natural American cut.
+* [[Dress socks]], differentiated from normal socks by a tighter fit and traditionally dark colors.
+* [[Underpants]], seen as required by casual and above.
+* [[Suit#Trousers|Dress pants]], generally monochrome, and in a dark color or khaki colored pants. This does not normally include [[jeans]].
+* [[Dress shoes]], brown or black leather shoes. This can also include [[boat shoe]]s.
+* [[Dress shirt]], traditionally white, cream, or light blue, but pastel pink and lavender may be viewed as equally appropriate; checkered and striped shirts are seen as acceptable in most circumstances
+* [[Polo shirt]], replacing the dress shirt, this has seen a surge in fashion starting in the mid to late 2010s.
+===Girls and women===
-As well as the three piece suit, the "[[tweed]] suit" is a British invention, and is traditionally worn when one was in the country, as opposed to the formal wear of the city. Real British wool tweed is durable, coarse and heavy, and would only be practical outdoors and in poorly heated country buildings. It is less common today, but is still used for outdoor sports such as shooting and angling.  This suit is also worn with a waistcoat, along with brown dress casual shoes, i.e., oxford brogues.  Tweed also comes in lighter versions for versatility and comfort.
+[[Image:Gül et Rice.jpg|thumb|[[Condoleezza Rice]], [[United States Secretary of State]], and [[Abdullah Gül]], [[President of Turkey]], in informal wear (2010)]]
-==Usage in the workplace==
+* [[Tights]], [[Pantyhose]], [[knee highs]], [[stocking]]s, or [[leggings]] generally covering the legs is good practice.
-[[Image:Pinstripe suit.jpg|thumb|The pinstriped business suit marks out professional status]]
+* [[Undergarment]]s, such as a bra and panties, the latter seen as required in casual and above.
-Some men do not wear suits, such as those in the labor industry.  They wear [[uniform]]s, or other inexpensive, sturdy clothing that can be easily laundered.  Wearing a suit to work daily is often an indication of [[manager]]ial or professional status.  However, when on a job interview or attending business [[meeting]]s, many men who do not otherwise wear suits, will dutifully wear them as a mark of respect and formality.  Many how-to books for men recommend wearing a conservatively styled suit to an employment interview even when the man does not expect to ever wear a suit on the job.
+* One of:
+** [[Slacks]] and a [[blouse]], turtleneck or sweater or
+** A [[skirt]] and a [[blouse]], turtleneck or sweater or
+** A [[dress]]
+* [[Dress shoe]]s, for example [[ballet flat]]s, riding boots, boat shoes, loafers, or pumps.
+* [[Makeup]];<ref name="forbes">[https://www.forbes.com/2006/04/11/office-dress-codes-cx_sr_0411officedress.html ''Dress for Success''] at Forbes.com</ref> however, people are tending to wear increasingly less makeup.
+==See also==
-In the [[1990s]], [[Internet]] businesses flourished and so did the relaxed dress standards flaunted by unconventional [[dot-com]] businesspeople. A new form of attire has arisen, [[business casual]], which consists of nice [[trousers]] (not [[jeans]]), often [[chinos]] or [[khakis]] and a [[polo shirt]] or short-sleeved shirt. This is today acceptable and common attire at technically-oriented business meetings and in semiprofessional settings, and is continuing to gain ground from traditional business attire.
+* [[Western dress codes]]
+* [[Suit]]
+* [[Semi-formal wear]]
+* [[Formal wear]]
+* [[Casual wear]]
+==References==
-The standard for women is also in flux. In the [[1970s]], women aspiring to managerial or professional status were advised to "dress for success" by wearing clothing that imitated the male business suit: jacket and matching skirt, worn with a plain blouse and discreet accessories. The plain blouse is designated as a long sleeve button down shirt tucked properly into the skirt at the waist. Some women wore [[pantsuit]]s, substituting pants for the skirt, but in doing so, they risked the displeasure of many who felt that women should not wear pants.
+{{Reflist}}
+==External links==
-Now even conservative [[Western world|Western]] workplaces are more accepting of pants on female employees.  However, they may still expect female employees to exhibit formality of men's suits.  Women in "creative" professions, such as advertising or fashion, can usually dress with more color and flair. In fact, their eye for the current fashion could be a subtle proclamation of their competence as leaders who set the fashion for others.
+{{Parties}}
-[[Image:Thorbjorgolfsson.jpg|thumb|A fashionable suit and tie denotes the entrepreneur]]
+{{Fashion}}
-Male business attire is also nuanced.  Choice of clothing and accessories proclaims social and financial status.  An inexpensive [[ready-to-wear]] suit will lack the cachet of a [[bespoke]] suit fashioned by a famous [[tailor]].  Custom shirts, hand-made leather shoes, fine [[cuff link]]s and expensive [[watch]]es may indicate wealth, and in certain professions may effectively amount to a "dress code" (eg. in [[investment bank]]ing).
+{{Clothing}}
-Western business wear is standard in many workplaces around the globe, even in countries where the usual daily wear may be a distinctive national costume. Western business wear is most often seen on those who often interact with Western businesspeople. It is a declaration that "I am one of you".
-Some non-Western businesspeople will wear national costume nonetheless. A [[Saudi Arabia]]n [[sheikh]] may wear the traditional robes and headdress to an international conference; [[United Arab Emirates]] diplomats in particular are noted for attending conventions of the [[United Nations General Assembly]] in full [[keffiyeh]] and [[thawb]]. Doing so can proclaim national pride, or just extremely high status which allows the wearer to defy convention. Sometimes an element of the national costume such as a [[hat]] is combined with a Western business suit; for instance, [[Yasser Arafat]] was noted for wearing the aforementioned kaffiyeh with a Western-style military [[dress uniform]] (a derivative of the suit).
-==See also==
-* [[Business wear]]
-* [[Social aspects of clothing]]
 [[Category:Clothing by function]]
-[[Category:Suits (clothing)]]
+[[Category:Suits (clothing)| ]]
 [[Category:Workwear]]
+[[Category:Dress codes]]
-[[de:Geschäftskleidung]]