How do I get my staff dressing better without being too prescriptive?

Dear Aunty,

My New Year’s resolution is to make my client-facing staff dress smarter. I have actually asked them to smarten up before but it backfired, as they obviously have no idea what “smart” means.

I am thinking of writing a list of things I don’t want them to wear but I am worried that is too prescriptive. For example, I would like to stop one of my staff members wearing a disgusting pair of cargo pants, but I myself have a beautiful pair of cargo pants that cost a small fortune which I team with some strappy heals, which looks great.

Do you have any idea how I can drive home the message so they get the picture without having to spell out what they shouldn’t wear?

Leonie,
Sydney

Dear Leonie,

Congratulations. Obviously you are profitable, have enough clients, are a great leader, are spending enough time with the children, not drinking too much, given up smoking and exercising regularly for this to be top of the list, which makes you a rarity among all entrepreneurs.

Look, I find it works better if you outline the type of style that you don’t want them to emulate.

For example, you can say to them: “It would be a great idea if you didn’t look like you were going to… the beach/night club/pole dancing class/bed/trekking/picnic/bum crack competition/yoga class/primary school/strip tease show/80s revival pop concert/the shops… and so on.

Of course, this could leave them absolutely stumped. I mean, if you don’t come to work looking like a hard trekking combat fighter in a pair of cargo pants with lots of pockets for provisions, what the hell are you meant to wear?!

And that is when you gently explain to them that they should dress like their clients.

Be smart,
Your Aunty B

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