Putting Personality Into The Workplace: Josh Rabbany Is Changing Expectations Of Office Style

Business attire has, traditionally, been taken incredibly seriously. Often considered as the representation of professionalism in the workplace, these ethics are still in transition today. From the 1950s, the American work style witnessed a transformation. Starting with women in tailored suits, silk shirts, and stilettos, and the expectation of black suits, ties, and pocket squares for men, the office was a place of conformity.

This was a standard rooted in the middle class, whereas, many working-class businesses were not so strictly “formal.” Caps, overalls, and tanks were often seen for men working manual jobs. Class divide overrules — as it continues to — style, much like other factors such as age, role, and environment. The dispute, though, of aesthetics over comfort cannot be resolved without changing ideas of fashion itself.

Deirdre Clemente, writing in The Atlantic, explains how companies during this time had a “process-orientated” way of work — that being, a focus on “how success occurs,” rather than a “results-orientated’”outlook.

Some decades on, came the birth of business casual. Set to “redefine the American wardrobe,” this was the everyday look — proclaiming “khaki pants, sensible shoes, and button-down collared shirts.” Suits, if a requirement at all, became slimmer and more figure-hugging: an ode to the identity of the wearer. As priority shifts, from an ideal standard to future thinking and community, seemingly, so do our dress codes.

In the early 2010s, influential entrepreneur Josh Rabbany highlighted the motion of the luxury sneaker. Paired with a suit, this cultivated a groundbreaking trend that redefined workplace fashion for the 21st century. Making room for personal comfort while maintaining a polished appearance, the suit and sneaker combination is a statement; disrupting the border between success and convenience.

Style at work varies often, whether daily, monthly, or annually. However, as the younger generations grow older and integrate into the business world, we see Millennials and Gen Z take the reigns in various jobs and — although adopting similar responsibilities — excelling with extraordinary, non-conformist dress styles. A turning point in the history of workwear, the recent decades are taking business casual beyond its initial measures.

The Coronavirus pandemic caused unprecedented changes in the working life of all aspects of society. Remote work and work-from-home policies became compulsory, which blurred boundaries between the personal and professional. As we continue to adapt to this new reality, or new normal, company requirements are changing. Many are revisiting their dress codes in means to adopt more flexible, inclusive clothing regulations. This calls for an embrace of individuality, personal expression, and style enthusiasm.

A new culture of fashion is emerging, evolving toward practicality and casual formality. Rabbany is a creative facilitator with a unique background in fashion, music, and art; drawing on these trends in his work. To “dress for success,” for Rabbany, is to find a comfortable and personal style.

Casual formality, as a concept, thereupon gains popularity — encouraging employees to pair tailored and relaxed pieces. As Joseph DeAcetis states in Forbes, “If you just take a peek into any office today, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a full-on suit look from years ago.”

Rabbany’s insights on workplace styles, well-being, and togetherness align closely with the mission of his creative consultancy, The JMR Group. His agency, based in L.A., prides itself on its envisionment for creative businesses, mostly focusing on fashion and music brands. Changes in business attire have been at the forefront of Rabbany’s brand advice and ongoing collaborations.

McClatchy newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.