Investment bankers around the world tend to have a pretty good idea of what to wear and what not to wear at work. But staff at Citigroup’s Hong Kong offices got a reminder of what was expected recently, according to Business Insider, after the US bank sent a presentation to its local staff detailing the dos and don’ts of office attire.
In its presentation, which for ease of understanding is accompanied by pictures of models wearing appropriate and inappropriate clothing, the bank said the latter list included sunglasses indoors, sweatpants or exercise pants, shorts or spandex, ripped jeans, T-shirts with slogans, and hats or bandannas.
Women are told not to wear miniskirts, party or beach dresses,strapless dresses, and skimpy or see-through attire. Trainers, flip-flops, Birkenstocks or flat strappy sandals are also deemed unsuitable.
“If you experience uncertainty about acceptable professional business attire and business casual attire, please consult your supervisor or human resources,” the presentation reportedly said.
There is also a guide to what non client-facing workers can wear on Fridays, which are traditionally more casual than other days of the week for many working in the financial services industry.
Citigroup in London said its employees there wore “respectable attire”. A bank spokesman said he was not aware of similar guidelines being issued in London, where Citigroup has a significant presence in Canary Wharf.
Some business leaders in the City have strong views on dress code and feel it important to crack down on any slipping standards. When Peter Cruddas, the former Conservative party treasurer, returned to his role as the chief executive of CMC Markets, the spread-betting firm, in 2013, one of the first things he did was to instruct employees to dress more smartly.
“I noticed some of the employees’ work attire had slipped a little. I wasn’t being critical of anybody’s dress sense but I’m a firm believer that you can’t be truly focused on work when you come in wearing flip-flops and jeans.”
