North West workers have high standards regarding what colleagues wear to work

Business people

New research shows workers in the North West expect their co-workers to dress smartly for work, disapproving of items of clothing including ripped jeans, shorts and dirty shoes.

The research, commissioned by the Business is GREAT campaign, showed that 46 per of North West workers think shorts or above the knee skirts are unacceptable compared to 40 per cent nationally.

The data also shows: 

• 72 per cent of workers think ripped jeans should be avoided, compared to 70 per cent nationally 
• 9 per cent think a suit jacket is a necessity, compared to 6 per cent nationally 
• 27 per cent think shoes should always be polished, compared to 21 per cent nationally

When asked which business leader was best dressed Lord Alan Sugar came top of the list followed by Richard Branson, Kelly Hoppen, and Peter Jones. It seems Britain is a nation of traditionalists with over two thirds of workers (75 per cent) wearing a suit, uniform or smart-casual attire to work with only one in ten of us feeling comfortable enough to wear what we feel like to work.

Geoff Quinn, Managing Director of TM Lewin, expert Jermyn Street shirtmaker, said: “The results of this research show we want our work clothes to demonstrate our work ethic. 32 per cent of those surveyed said they ‘dressed to impress’, choosing their business wardrobe to reflect their professional and hardworking nature

“British fashion is coveted across the globe, and this is something which we have experienced first-hand. Thanks to support from UK Trade & Investment, TM Lewin has been able to expand into international markets, opening more than 58 stores worldwide. I encourage any brand looking to expand their business to go www.greatbusiness.gov.uk/ukti/ and see how they can start their export journey today.”

This research comes as London Fashion Week (LFW) is in full swing. One of the highest profile fashion events in the world, it puts British fashion firmly on the global stage; with an estimated revenue of over £100m fashion orders placed during LFW alone. The British fashion industry is estimated to support 797,000 jobs.

The Business is GREAT campaign aims to build confidence in small businesses across the country, and match their potential for success with the services that can help them grow, hire, lead and export.