The concept of professional dress in the workplace seems such an archaic concept these days. Especially with the emergence of working remotely.

Of course, I’m looking at this situation as someone who has never had a job with a strict professional dress code, but the whole idea seems bizarre.

This isn’t to say I think showing up at the office looking like the Dude is a good idea either. But at the same time, how would that affect your work? Isn’t working the whole point? If the work can be completed remotely, where Zoom meetings in a dress shirt and pant-less has almost become cliché at this point, what does it matter if someone makes a similar effort in the office?

Aside from in-person meetings with clients or for other important matters, workers should dress in whatever way makes them most comfortable — assuming, of course, that their attire doesn’t make others uncomfortable. The job is about the product or service, not what those who provide it wear while doing so.

Casual Friday should not mean tieless and a nice pair of jeans. I know people whose casual Friday wear is nicer than what most people wear on a night out.

I say we change the mindset of dress in the workplace. A nice pair of athletic sweatpants and a t-shirt? Sure. Shorts and a tacky Hawaiian shirt? Go for it. Jeans and a nice sweater? Why not. And if your idea of being comfortable at work is a suit and tie, do it.

Flip the narrative. Turn Friday into the dress-up day. Leave casual for the rest of the week. If they’re productive while working from home in fuzzy slippers and an old Metallica t-shirt, then they’re exactly that: a productive worker.