With companies encouraging people to return to the office, many are wondering about the office dress code for 2024.
So we enlisted the help of Tatyana Kozhevnikova, founder and creative director of Artefact London, to give us her insights.
The bespoke tailoring studio owner was listed in Forbes’ 30 under 30 for modernising Savile Row with her approach to tailoring, so if anyone can help…
SM: Are suits still in fashion?
TK: For me, a suit isn’t just about fashion – although it certainly can be. It’s a tool of subtle communication and influence that has remained relevant through generations. If you don’t use it to your advantage, someone else will, gaining an edge without you realising it.
A well-fitting jacket defines a man’s shoulders and chest in a way no cardigan ever will. It sends a signal: this man has composure. Use it to your advantage. Much like body language, clothing is a strong visual communicator.
I don’t really follow fashion trends. I believe it’s not trends that make us look good – it’s what complements our physical traits. A well-proportioned jacket gives your torso and legs the right visual balance. Shoulders that are on point afford stature. I’m convinced working with complementing colours and flattering body proportions matters more than fashion.
SM: Should men wear a suit to the office?
TK: It depends on your industry. If you work in a creative digital industry, a suit might look out of place. However, if you’re in a professional environment like a bank or a law firm, suiting up at least four days a week will play to your advantage. Ask yourself ‘What clothing enhances my personal and professional image?’
No matter the industry, there’s always a place for a well-fitting casual jacket. Pair it with a plain T-shirt and jeans if you work in an informal setting, or with a crisp shirt and smart chinos for more formality. Regardless of the industry, oversized clothing should be prohibited from Monday to Friday, 9 am - 5 pm.
Clothing impacts not just how we come across, but also how we feel. If you want to increase your mental engagement and productivity, dress accordingly.
SM: Tie or no tie for work?
TK: For a special event, yes. Otherwise, skip it for the time being. But don’t give your ties away to charity yet. I believe they will make a return in three to four years.
SM: What are your favourite shoe brands to wear to the office?
TK: Scarosso, Santoni, and Baudoin & Lange. Not only are they immensely comfortable, but they also strike the perfect balance between casual and formal.
SM: What are the latest tailoring trends?
TK: Functional wardrobe: muted colour flannels for a mix-and-match capsule wardrobe. Think: trusty navy blue, sage, and grey flannels made as suits, with the possibility to mix and match for an elegant, smart casual look. Utilise separates: jackets with denim, flannel trousers with shirts, and plain well-fitting T-shirts.
Quality over quantity in everything: the two years of lockdowns, however distant the memory may seem, had a profound impact on us. People decluttered their spaces, revised their friendship circles, and changed careers. My customers want quality over quantity in every aspect of their lives, from the food they eat to the bespoke suits they wear. Less is more.
Younger generations catching on to bespoke tailoring: more young gentlemen are adopting the mindset of: “I’m giving away my five cheap suits to charity. I want to build a timeless, functional wardrobe that will last. Tatyana, simplify looking presentable for me.” This is an increasingly common request. Over time, we build a wardrobe of two-to-three quality suits for formal meetings and events, and two-to-three casual jackets for nights out. I love that approach.
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Learn more at theartefact.com
