Are Business Dress Codes Outdated?

If world leaders can ditch the suit, why are we still stuck in business attire at the office? Kudos to Volodymyr for owning his signature style!

Just last week during infamous meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump joked, “He’s all dressed up today”, referring to Zelensky’s now-iconic military-style sweater and cargo pants.

The comment raised an interesting question - what does “dressed up” even mean anymore?

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒔𝒖𝒊𝒕

For decades, suits and ties were non-negotiable. But today, only 3% of U.S. workers wear traditional business attire, according to a 2023 Gallup survey - down from 7% in 2019.

Even Elon Musk wears jeans and sneakers in the Oval Office!

In Australia, a 2023 people2people survey found that 66.5% of employees have ditched suits, with many opting for jeans or sneakers in the office.

WFH culture accelerated the shift, where only what you wore above the camera line mattered. Below? Let’s just say athleisure and pyjama brands made a killing!

Even rigid industries like finance and law are softening. If world leaders can negotiate global affairs in a sweater, surely we can close a business deal without sweating through a three-piece suit and a tie.

𝑺𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒚 𝒅𝒐 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚?

Despite the shift, politicians cling to formal attire for power, tradition, and perception.

Suits signal authority, control, and credibility.

In a world of constant scrutiny, dressing formally projects competence and stability. A sharp suit isn’t just clothing - it’s a strategic tool to command attention and respect.

Diplomatic meetings and parliamentary sessions are theatre, and in theatre, costume matters. A leader in a suit looks like a decision-maker. A leader in casual wear? That’s still a harder sell - though Zelensky is proving otherwise.

But change is coming.

Younger politicians are ditching rigid dress codes. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Finland’s Sanna Marin, and New Zealand’s Chlöe Swarbrick prove relatability and leadership don’t require a suit and tie.

It’s not just about comfort - it’s about connecting with a new generation of voters who no longer equate formality with competence.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆

So, is the business suit outdated?

Not entirely. But professionalism isn’t about ties and blazers anymore - it’s about confidence, presence and impact.

If suits make you feel powerful, wear them. But let’s stop pretending a three-piece suit makes someone more capable than the person in sneakers and sneakers.

What do you think? Are we finally moving past rigid dress codes, or do formal suits still have a place in today’s business world?

Or a you a fan of pyjama pants and leisurewear?