In this post, we will start our trek through men’s dress codes with the most casual end of the spectrum.
Activewear or Sportswear
Clothing, including footwear, worn for sport or physical exercise. Sports footwear include [athletic shoes]. It also includes some underwear, such as the jockstrap and sports bra. Sportswear is also at times worn as casual fashion clothing.
Examples of sportswear include, but are not limited to:
Casual
Casual is the dress code that emphasizes comfort and personal expression over presentation and uniformity.
The word “casual” is derived from the French word “casuel,” which was derived from the Latin words “casualis” and “casus.” The meaning of casual implies a sense of chance, or something which occurs in an unpremeditated way, or which is informal or relaxed. In reference to clothing, “casual” refers to what is worn for social occasions or at home, or in more informal business environments.
Blue jeans and a T-shirt have been described as the “casual uniform”. With the popularity of spectator sports in the late 20th century, a good deal of athletic gear has influenced casual wear. Clothing worn for manual labor also falls into casual wear.
While utilitarian costume comes to mind first for casual dress, however, there is also a wide range of flamboyance and theatricality. Punk costume is a striking example. Madonna introduced a great deal of lace, jewelry, and cosmetics into casual wear during the 1980s. More recently, hip hop fashion has played up elaborate jewelry and luxurious materials worn in conjunction with athletic gear and the clothing of manual labor.
In a casual work setting, employees should wear clothing that is comfortable and practical for work, but not distracting or offensive to others. Any clothing that has words, terms, or pictures that may be offensive to other employees is unacceptable. Clothing that has the company logo is encouraged. Sports team, university, and fashion brand names on clothing are generally acceptable.
References:
- http://en.wikipedia.com
- http://www.askmen.com
- http://humanresources.about.com
