I am a dedicated follower of fashion. Oh yes I am

Over the last few days my thinking has turned to unravelling some of the array of challenges that has emerged from the pandemic.

So much has changed. Hybrid working, virtual meetings, methods of business delivery, etiquette, the list seems endless.

One of the seemingly simple challenges to sort is what we now wear to work. I've been applying some rigorous research to the issue.?I was thinking back over my career. From the age of 18, I wore a suit. A uniform really. At the age of 40 my mind decided that perhaps I could appear a little more, well, edgy.?

I contemplated removing the tie.?

This wasn't a decision I took lightly. I consulted several friends and family (who, in fairness, seemed entirely devoid of interest or opinion) but my mind was made up when I gently dropped the topic into conversation with a woman I was doing work for. She thought I should "go for it '. I did.?

I spent the next six months in a state of permanent self-consciousness. I imagined everyone staring at my neck. I felt very exposed, naked. However, the dam was now breached. Within two years I had decided to ditch the formal dress shirt (with daring open collar) and embraced a new, slightly more casual, patterned style of shirt. Occasionally sporting a logo.?

I promised myself I would never let this extend to a flowery pattern.?

Then, only 20 years later, the pandemic hit. I immediately noticed people turning up to development sessions wearing a whole smorgasbord of fashion. Almost as if they didn't care. Like a new era of punk. Some were even wearing pyjamas or a dressing gown.?

I immediately consulted with my wife and declared the time had arrived for me to become more comfortable, more casual, to get right out there on the edge. My plan was to retain the smart casual shirt (with open neck) but I was intending to pair this with jeans!?

She looked at me with the same look she gave me when I'd once declared my intention to take up surfing.?

She tried to explain that, over time, uniforms had emerged for a reason. She cited some waffle about standards of professionalism, consistency, showing you'd made an effort, etc, none of which cut the mustard with me as I was already trying on various types of straight leg and boot cut.?

Realising she was getting nowhere, she played dirty. A picture of me at my most casual and edgy appeared. A holiday picture. Whilst clearly sticking the knife in, she gently explained what happened when chaos reigned and the rules were discarded. The truth dawned. She was right. Left to my own devices I looked like a clip (North East expression for someone who hasn't quite attained the title of fashionista).?

The evidence is so damning that my wife insists, if I am to use the picture in the article, that I change it to black and white. The full clashing colours version may startle anyone of a sensitive nature.?She has now taught me that shorts are either short or they are pants. Never both. In fairness I don't think I'm the only one in the pic with fashion challenges.

So what have I concluded? Well you're wasting your time asking me for fashion advice.?

Shockingly though, it appears as if people still judge you by your appearance. Of course, this isn’t all to do with fashion. It's a wonderful, refreshing world where people can dress and express themselves as they like. It's more about effort. It's about appearing as if you care enough to turn up.

Turning up with your hair unkempt (I know, I know ironic advice coming from me), looking like you haven’t been washed for a week or with food stains down the front of your clothes isn’t really turning up.

I asked my wife why she hadn't steered me over my previous fashion faux pas. She replied that she knew I'd made an effort I just seem to be clueless.?

Depending on what industry you work in expectations may change (I did notice this morning that McDonald’s even have their own trousers with the ‘M’ emblem on them). If you are working in a creative industry, you may just get away with long shorts. Finance? Probably not.

So, if you're contemplating attending that next meeting looking like you've just rolled out of bed, maybe you shouldn't.

At best you may end up looking like a clip. At worst you may look like me on holiday. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.?