Sunday 27 November 2011

Smart Casual Research


For OUGD405 I have been given the task of researching how to dress smart casual. I need to find quantitative and qualitative research.

Quantitative Data

Definition: Related to, or expressed in terms of measured numeric values, quantity or statistical comparison derived from systematic survey, observation or analysis of the subject; this may include probabilistic evaluation. Quantitative research is based on measurable data gathered from a wide range of sources, often followed by objective analysis. A general description includes facts, figures and scientific observation that can be statistically analyzed and then can be reduced to something that can be enumerated. The collected data is often subjected to statistical tests to see if the results are internally consistent or representative of random chance. Typically, it describes patterns and trends in size and quantity. Quantitative data is often classified as being real.

Qualitative Data

Definition: Relating to, or expressed in terms of, quality. Qualitative research is based on individual, often subjective analysis. A general description of properties that cannot be written in numbers, that cannot be reduced to something that can be enumerated. Relating to or based on the quality or character of something, often as opposed to its size or quantity. Typically describes people's knowledge, attitudes or behaviors. adj. A type of data used as a method of labeling and identifying. Qualitative data are classified as being either nominal or ordinal.  

Smart Casual


What is smart Casual? Wikipedia...
Smart Casual is a loosely defined dress code, casual, yet "smart" (i.e. "neat") enough to conform to the particular standards of certain Western social groups.

Menswear
It has been suggested that smart casual for men consists of dress trousers—this includes chinos—a long-sleeve dress shirt (tie optional), leather loafers or dressy slip-ons, dress socks, a belt, and, if appropriate, a sport coat or blazer. Some interpretations allow for sweaters and knit pullovers paired with button-down shirts; especially v-neck sweaters.
An alternative form, the Burnt Hills smart casual, allows for crisp blue jeans to be worn (no holes or places where you stepped on the heel too much). A tie is usually introduced to the ensemble, and the wearing of a jacket is stressed.
Smart casual dress may be contrasted with "unsmart" casual dress, which often consists of ugly sweaters, corduroys, and suede jackets.
 Womenswear
For women, it consists of slacks or a skirt (long or short), a blouse or turtleneck, a fashionable belt, a jacket, a vest, or a sweater coordinated to the outfit, hosiery or socks with boots, flats (leather, suede, or fabric) or mid-heel shoes. Women may also wear jewelry, such as earrings, that complement their overall outfit.


Questionnaire Primary Research

I sent out a survey on Survey Monkey to see what people think is smart casual attire. Here are some screen shots of the survey. : http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/T5L5Z3M



I asked 6 questions which were:

What would you class as Smart Casual Wear for a man?

What would you class as Smart Casual Wear for a woman?

What Jobs do you think accept smart casual wear?

Where would you go to buy a smart Casual outfit?

How much would you be looking to pay for a smart casual outfit?

How often do you dress smart casual?Results 

From the survey this is what I found out about peoples perception of smart casual:

1. What would you class as Smart Casual Wear for a man?

  • Formal, but quite relaxed

  • Blazer x5

  • Smart Shoes x5

  • Jeans x9 (dark)

  • T-Shirt x 3

  • Shirt x 3

  • Winkle pickers x 1

  •   Shirt but not Fancy x2

2. What would you class as Smart Casual Wear for a woman?

  • Formal, but quite relaxed

  • A plain dress x 3

  • Nice Jeans / trousers x 4

  • Blouse x 5

  • Cardigan x 1

  • Skirt x 3

  • Shirt x 2

3. What Jobs do you think accept smart casual wear?


From the questionnaire I learned that peoples perceive smart casual to consist of nice shoes, jeans, trousers, a collared shirt, blouse, blazer or dress. In terms of jobs they associated smart casual with Offices, Teachers, Small Business's, Creative Jobs Cafe's and Graphic Designers.

4. Where would you go to buy a smart Casual outfit?


  The results show most people shop at Topman, Zara and River Island.

  5. How much would you be looking to pay for a smart casual outfit?


Most people spend £40-£60 on a smart casual outfit
 
6. How often do you dress smart casual?


Most people dress smart casual once a week

Online Secondary Research

Smart Casual Morning/Day For Her
(UK and Commonwealth)

Hat
Hats are not normally worn
Coat
Coat
If weather requires.
Jacket
Any Jacket
If desired.
Avoid Denim.
Designer Jacket
Top
Knit-Shirt
Jumper
Fashionable Top
Avoid slogans and logos.
Blouse
Sweater
Avoid slogans and logos.
Cardigan
T-Shirt
T-shirts should probably be avoided for most occasions as they do not have a collar which is normally one of the defining features of 'smart' dress, but can look smart, for example if worn with a jacket.
Bottom
Designer Trousers
With or without matching jacket.
Avoid wearing two different patterns for the trousers and jacket - plain goes with anything.
Designer Skirt
With or without matching jacket.
Avoid wearing two different patterns for the skirt and jacket - plain goes with anything.
Skirt
Dress
Trousers
Fashion Jeans
Not suitable for all occasions. If in doubt avoid.
Always wear very smart or fashionable ones, if at all, and always in good condition.
Footwear
Shoes
Boots
Nice ones of course ;)
Accessories
Jewelry
Including watches.
As much as you want! (Consider your personal security though.)
Smart Casual Morning/Day For Him
(UK and Commonwealth)

Hat
Hats are not normally worn
Coat
Coat
If weather requires.
Jacket
Any Jacket
If desired.
Avoid Denim.
Designer Jacket
Top
Shirt
Collared.
Generally the safest option.
Polo Shirt or Tennis Shirt
Or similar collared top.
Jumper
Fashionable Top
Avoid slogans and logos.
Knit-Shirt
Sweater
Avoid slogans and logos.
Cardigan
T-Shirt
T-shirts should probably be avoided for most occasions as they do not have a collar which is normally one of the defining features of 'smart' dress, but can look smart, for example if worn with a jacket.
Bottom
Designer Trousers
With or without matching jacket.
Avoid wearing two different patterns for the trousers and jacket - plain goes with anything.
Dockers
Or similar.
Trousers
Chinos
Fashion Jeans
Not suitable for all occasions. If in doubt avoid.
Always wear very smart or fashionable ones, if at all, and always in good condition.
Ankles
Dark Socks
Can't go wrong with black.
Footwear
Shoes
Moccasins
Deck Shoes
Boots
Normally black or brown.
Accessories
Watch
If desired.
Rings
A wedding or engagement ring is always allowed.
Neck Chain
If normally worn.
Earring
If normally worn.
Notes
In General
Wear something smart, comfortable, and inoffensive.











From my online research it shows that the people that took my survey were pretty spot on with the standard smart casual dress wear.

Casual Fridays? 

From working I thought about times when I had to dress smart casual and remember we had dress down fridays where we had to dress smart casual.

Casual Friday along with dressing casually during the week became very prevalent during the Dot-com bubble of the late 1990s and early 2000s rooted in a relaxed California-based business culture. The day (also known as Dress-down Friday, or simply Casual day) is an American and Canadian trend which for a time spread to other parts of the world, wherein some offices may celebrate a semi-reprieve from the constrictions of a formal dress code. Whereas, during the rest of the week, business shirts, suits, ties, trousers, and dress shoes would be the norm, on Casual Friday workers might be allowed to wear more casual dress. Some companies might allow jeans, casual blouses or T-shirts, hoodies, track jackets, and sneakers/running shoes or even stocking feet, but others require business casual or smart casual dress. Some offices allow a themed dress down day. On this day, even managers in such workplaces are allowed to dress down. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casual_Friday

Here are some statistics I found about Casual Fridays that is quite interesting:

Corporate Casual Statistics

Casual Fridays And Dress Down Days
In order to compete in the employment marketplace, employers in the 90s searched for creative options to attract new employees and retain present ones.
So, what happened?
  • Wearables shot to the #1 category in Promotional Products
  • Up 3 points from 24% to 27% in one year
Why did this happen?
  • 90% of all US companies have casual day of some kind
  • 1/3 of all companies allow casual clothing every day
  • More than 40% of all companies have expanded their casual dress options in the last three years
Casualwear Businesswear Human Resources Survey
  • 87% - improves morale
  • 81% - perceived by employees as a benefit
  • 51% - employees save money because of casual dress
  • 47% - improves productivity
  • Given the chance, 96% of employees take advantage
What employees said
  • 81% - Improves morale
  • 57% - I'm judged now more on my performance than appearance
  • 57% - Better camaraderie with managers & co-workers
  • 51% - Do best work when casually dressed
  • 43% - Boss is more approachable
46% reported that if they were offered two equal positions, the employer which offered casual days every day would get preference.

Corporate Casual Levels

The 4 basic classifications of Corporate Casual at work today are:
Boardroom Casual- Apparel that’s different than the traditional business suit, but still appropriate for the boardroom. Blazers, oxfords, vests, ties and scarves are the operative words here.
Business Casual- Professional dressing that’s perfectly suited to attend a meeting, conduct a seminar or to meet a client. Banded collar shirts, oxfords, denims, vests, sweaters and turtlenecks are your main menu here.
Relaxed Casual- Office-appropriate attire that’s professional enough to face customers, but comfortable enough to sit in front of the computer. Golf shirts reign supreme in this area, as well as denims, chambray shirts, fashion fleece, sweaters and turtlenecks.
Dress Down Casual- Casual apparel for a labor-intensive day such as cleaning out files or organizing your area. Tees, sweats and denim are your directions on this one.

British Stats

I have found some information on dressing smart casual in the British Workplace on
  • "Smart casual" takes pole position in the workplace
  • Will this relaxed approach be mirrored in communication practices too?
  • New research suggests the business suit is on the way out of the British workplace with fewer than a quarter of employees now required to wear one. In its place, smart casual and even completely casual wear on certain days is becoming the norm.
  • The research, carried out by the Aziz Corporation, found a slide in suit-wearing requirements from 37% in 2004 to less than 24% now with most companies adopting a more relaxed approach to office dress.
  • Appearance still important but attitudes changing
  • Professor Khalid Aziz, chairman of The Aziz Corporation, says while the business suit is still the norm for formal meetings, for everyday use employees much prefer a more modern appearance.
  • But does this casual attitude to workplace attire also reflect more casual working practices – for example, more informal meetings or communication channels? 
  • “Far from wishing they could get away with ripped jeans and T-shirts, most employees take their professional image at work very seriously and will dress smartly by choice. However, there is no longer a perception that we have to wear suits in order to be smart. Enforcing a suits-only dress code is seen as outdated and perhaps a little insular in an increasingly international workplace, an image which savvy modern companies want to steer clear of.”
  • Job threat would change the situation
    However, further statistics suggest that if the current economic downturn worsens, many workers fearing for their jobs may want to smarten themselves up. 
  • Almost half (47%) would seriously consider dressing more smartly if they felt their job was at risk due to financial conditions, according to Professor Aziz.











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