United Kingdom: Business Dress - Part 2

From ExecutivePlanet.com

Further guidelines

The specification 'Lounge suit' on an invitation in the UK occupies the sartorial space between 'Black tie' (i.e. formal) and 'Smart casual' (jacket/blazer and tie). Since the men will probably be wearing their business suits, women can legitimately imitate them, perhaps with the addition of a smart accessory.

Two tips for men:

do not put pens, pencils, etc. in shirt or jacket breast pockets (you may, however, wear an ornamental silk handkerchief in your jacket pocket);

avoid wearing striped ties (there is a risk that the stripe may 'belong' to an institution such as a school, university, club or military regiment of which you are not a member).

Finally, a Briton's choice of casual wear is one of those shibboleths that confirm the persistence of the class system at least in matters of taste. It is no wonder that we continue to prefer the uniform of a suit at work and the visitor should not be surprised at anything the natives might choose to wear when off-duty.

Submit a Comment on this Article