Z/Yen Suits You

Z/Yen, the leading risk/reward management firm, tomorrow unveils its report into the competitive advantage of business attire: "The Risks and Rewards of Organisational Dress Sense". The study is based on rigorous empirical research and nationwide surveys over the last three months. Marie Logan, Z/Yen’s business fashion co-ordinator and leader of the study insists, "our study presents a fascinating insight into the issues facing office workers in the new millennium, and, unusually for a consultancy study, recommends some practical solutions."

The following extract should provide some enlightenment.

Issue 1 – You’ve dressed down for the arrival of your favourite "dotcom" client, when your boss schedules an emergency meeting with a very formal "captain of industry".

• Z/Yen Solution – The "reversa-chino": Khaki on the outside, pinstriped on the inside. Available in three sizes: Regular, Tall or Grande.

Issue 2 – Global warming has hit your office and whatever you wear, you’re too hot.

• Z/Yen Solution – The "polo shirt with a hole". In a revolutionary cross-over between the confectionery and fashion industries, Z/Yen have designed a new polo shirt with small apertures to enable the skin to breathe more easily. Ian Harris, Managing Director of Z/Yen, comments. "We’re amazed that no-one has had this idea before".

Issue 3 – You want to wear trousers but your boss wants all female staff to wear skirts.

• Z/Yen Solution – The "convert-a-skirt". In association with the English Zip Company (eZipper.co.uk), Z/Yen have designed a new utility fashion garment. Simply zip or unzip the inside leg to change from trousers to skirt and back again. A new deluxe model with the ability to transform into hot-pants will be available this summer.

Jeremy Smith, Z/Yen’s new Director and expert in Financial Services explains. "Dress Down Friday’s have been a major source of angst among City professionals. Staff working on trading floors don’t have space to store spare clothes. With a spare jacket slung over the back of the chair and a pair of "reversa-chinos", traders and marketers will be fully equipped to deal with any opportunity."

Z/Yen specialises in risk/reward management, an innovative approach to improving organisational performance. Z/Yen clients include blue chip companies in banking, information technology, publishing and distribution as well as charities and care organisations. Strangely, Z/Yen’s portfolio to date is a little light on fashion houses.

For further information please contact:

Ian Harris, Jeremy Smith or Michael Mainelli, telephone (020) 7562-9562

The following extract is a mere smidgen of the detailed analysis contained in the study. Section 43 sets out modes of dress for various sectors based on lounge/informal styles and strict/liberal enforcement: