If you’re a twenty-something who feels a little strangled and strange in a tie, there may be an innovative way to convince your boss it’s a good idea to let you dress more casually, at least when the hot weather rolls around again. How? Appeal to his desire to cut the energy bill. That rationale has led Bangladesh to a permanent, country-wide dress down Friday, according to the Freakonomics blog:
In Bangladesh, a country whose power shortages are particularly severe during its hot summers, it doesn’t make much economic sense to dress up in a stuffy suit and then crank up your office’s AC to stay cool. That’s why, to cut down on air-conditioning use, the prime minister ordered a new dress code for the country’s public servants: no more ties and suits — just simple, short-sleeved shirts.
OK, I admit, the plan might not play in countries without chronic electricity shortages, but a girl can dream. What do you think: would your office suffer (or benefit) if it allowed more casual dress Monday through Thursday? Or, if you’re office has already gone more informal, and you struggle to figure out just how casual is too casual, check out BNET’s handy feature package on what to wear to work.
