Chase Bank Right on Dress Code
There is a Chase branch in our neighborhood Fred Meyer. As I have never been a WaMu customer, this does not cause any particular emotional reaction for me. I have noticed, recently, what they wear.
You see, Chase, as many of you may already be aware, has a strict dress code. And in my mind, that’s a good thing. Does anyone else remember the days when bank tellers dressed professionally? Over the past several years, I have been increasingly appalled by the varieties of lingerie and other leisurewear showing up in banks. Honestly, though, the workers themselves can hardly be blamed; they just don’t know better. But Chase is teaching them.
For one, Chase employees are required to wear Chase logo clothing available through their apparel program. And then, they are provided with guidelines on how to do so professionally:
- shirts must be buttoned up.
- no visible undergarments, with the one preppy exception: the white crew-neck tee. (Actually, they also allow a tee or turtleneck in the same color as the shirt also.)
- shirts have to fit!
- the employee may wear any color trouser or skirt as long as it is black. Cut, fit, and styling must be simple and professional.
- and more.
Based on their job, Chase employees fall into one of two “Apparel Categories”: classic (business casual) and professional (formal business).
When I spot one of these people in the Fred Meyer parking lot, they catch my eye - for a good reason. They look put together. Ironically, their shirts are the same color as the Fred Meyer polo worn by the cashiers; since I am acquainted with a number of the cashiers, I notice the color first. But then I notice the fit. In a tailored shirt constructed to fit the feminine figure and black trousers, it’s little wonder the young ladies look, well, business casual. And the young men? Chase blue shirt, black sweater vest and trousers.
Tellers working for other banks would do well to take notice and put together their own “classic” look. More importantly, companies wishing to inspire client confidence would do well to consider the impact the appearance of their employees has on their corporate image.
(twinhill.com faqs for the Chase Apparel program, accessed June 30, 2010. no affiliation. also: chase_dressguidelines.doc.)
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