Dress Code: Discrimination or Common Sense?

Clothing has always been more than just a practical necessity; it is an unspoken expression of individuality. In earlier stages of societal development, attire primarily indicated a person’s social class rather than their personal essence. Today, with interclass relationships minimized and personal style taking center stage, clothing continues to serve as a differentiator, albeit in a more nuanced manner. Given the myriad meanings clothing can convey, the concept of a dress code remains relevant and contentious. For some, a dress code is a means to reflect the essence and purpose of professional activities, while for others, it is seen as a constraint on individual expression. This article explores the pros and cons of dress codes and assesses their necessity in today’s world.

Discrimination or Common Sense?

On December 6, 2016, the news portal Life.ru reported changes to the dress code for female employees of the Moscow metro. According to the source, women are prohibited from wearing designer manicures, bright makeup, high hairstyles, and piercings. Alongside these new regulations on appearance, other restrictions were also listed. Metro employees are now prohibited from reading books, newspapers, and playing mobile games at work, with only technical literature permitted. The Moscow metro management stated that these measures were implemented to enhance the culture and improve the image of underground stations in the eyes of city residents.

The information published by Life.ru indicates that these changes apply only to female employees. Subsequent comments on the news suggest that the new work regulations are not as straightforward as they seem. The content of the news implies that this innovation is not discrimination, but rather an attempt by city authorities to address social issues in a somewhat misguided manner. Let’s delve into the instances where a dress code is indeed a necessity.

Professional Image

The implementation of a dress code is primarily linked to the psychological aspects of human behavior. In the service industry and any public service sector, trust is paramount for clients, and appropriate attire for employees is crucial. For example, consider the cabin crew of an airplane, dressed in formal uniforms: suits, ties, polished shoes, and often hats. The sight of well-groomed and dignified individuals responsible for passenger safety and comfort instills confidence and shapes the overall perception of the company’s service.

In the business world, dress codes are about professional relationships, where clothing should not emphasize gender but rather the nature of the business partnership. Business attire helps to establish the appropriate dynamics between business partners. Workplace dress codes can eliminate objectification, where men or women might feel that their attributes are on display. There is also the concept of “power dressing,” which both men and women use to exert specific influence over their audience. This type of clothing is often considered business attire, emphasizing authority and influence rather than individuality. Designers dressing politicians, for instance, pay close attention to color, which can convey various subtle messages. It is hard to imagine a political figure or a flight attendant displaying piercings or eccentric makeup. The expectation is for a certain psychological atmosphere, making individual style expressions unjustified in such contexts.

Modern Dress Codes

In contemporary fashion, character and individuality are far more important than in previous decades. In the 1960s, feminists promoted the idea of the female business suit to achieve equality in the workplace. Today, various standards of women’s clothing can be interpreted differently. Feminist trends aimed to equalize men and women, demonstrating that women should be taken seriously.

Modern clothing strives for complete freedom from gender stereotypes and dress codes. Many professional style standards conflict with the concepts of “comfort” and “health,” not to mention elements of clothing that seek to restore women’s “natural” image—feminine, sexual, and pleasing to the male gaze. Thus, high heels and tight skirts are not universally seen as fair choices for business attire. The emergence of the business casual style has addressed the problems of modern women and men in choosing office attire, bridging the gap between individual expression, comfort, and business image standards.

Russian Reality

Returning to the news about the new image of the Russian metro, it is essential to consider not only the prohibitions but also the reality surrounding modern metro users. Can the absence of piercings, modest hairstyles, and neat makeup of women reading technical manuals during work truly elevate the service level currently offered in our country? The current state of workers reflects not a lack of culture but a direct correlation with the quality of the metro itself and, more importantly, the level of wages received by its employees. To enhance culture and create an image, it is necessary to start not with restrictions on existing employees but with creating conditions for comfortable work. Only then is it logical to discuss requirements regarding appearance, education, and other important criteria for applicants, which collectively form the image of the entire enterprise, regardless of the services it provides.