Taking Stock - Dress policy has little effect on Hamiltons.

Following the announcement by Arthur Andersen to allow its staff to wear smart casual clothing, the opportunity to witness the new directive first hand was too much to turn down. TS was invited to attend an Andersens’ press conference where, on arrival, a raft of media and the firm’s officials were gathered around a variety of nibbles and hot beverages. As this was the first event your favourite read had been invited to by the firm since the announcement, we were unsure of the correct dress code, so took the radical decision to not wear a tie. Luckily, the majority of Andersens appeared to have got into the swing of the new dress code and the distinct lack of ties throughout the room was visible for all to see. Speakers including partner Keith Stone and John Tiner, head of business consulting, were indeed tieless while polo neck shirts and jackets appeared to be the early fashion favourite among their colleagues. One Andersens insider, who did not want to be named for fear of being arrested by the fashion police, revealed the unofficial Andersens’ guide to casual dressing. He disclosed: ‘The key to dressing down is to look casual but at the same time not make your colleagues look like they have overdressed.’ TS assumes that means the white tie and tails should not make an entrance at the office and for all the ladies – those ball gowns need to stay at the back of the wardrobe (especially if it’s like our good friend Christine Hamilton’s, pictured). Sounds confusing – surely life was simpler at Andersens when everyone stuck to wearing a suit. TS bets there will be ‘global clothing adviser’ positions going soon at the Big Five.