It’s often said that looks are important – but one law firm has now told its staff that they can toss aside sharp suits in the office and instead dress in a way that “brings your personality to work”.
Vardags, a divorce and family law firm, believes litigation and bonding has become “the domain of bankers and real estate agents.”
Instead, he urged his 120 staff to dress as if they were attending Annabel’s, an exclusive private members’ club in London’s Mayfair, frequented by the rich and famous.
The requirement for office formal wear disappeared, with staff at the company’s London, Manchester and Cambridge offices encouraged to wear whatever they wanted as long as it was “elegant”.
That means an electric blue sequined jacket, gold leather pants, and red Doc Martin boots are allowed—except when he’s on the court, of course.
“We’re going to switch to a dress code that’s more like Annabel’s—the essence is elegance,” she said in a note sent to staff Wednesday.
Ayesha Vardag, founder of the firm that specializes in high-income cases, told staff that the new dress code encourages them to “add their own personality to the business” and “be as crazy cool as you feel”.
He added: “Times are changing and the Vardags keep moving forward – there was a time for our dress code with double sleeves and cufflinks, formal dark suits and jackets.
“But now suits have entered the domain of bankers and estate agents so much that some of London’s fun clubs are avoiding them.
“Still formal, yet definitely high-end, and fit for the luxury market we’re entering, it doesn’t undermine your seriousness as a professional, but you don’t have to wear a tie, you can still wear your suit if you want (and probably, if you like an electric blue sequined jacket and gold leather pants day in and day out) If you want pink hair or red DMs, if you want a purple velvet jacket, that’s it.
The note concluded: “By the way, this isn’t gender specific. It’s not messy or scruffy, it’s not hoodie-techy (I appreciate that technical people are used to wearing hoodies, except for technical people), it’s not trashy, it’s always enjoyable, but it’s as crazy cool as you all want it to be. You can be and express yourself fully. It’s all part of one of our core values - bring your personality to work!”
‘Dress for the event’
Annabel’s dress code is designed to “encourage individuality and gorgeous party wear”, and guests are told to “dress for the occasion and be respectful in their choice of stylish, elegant clothing.”
Jeans, stylish leather jackets and sneakers are only allowed if they are in “good condition”, while sports clothes and sports equipment are not allowed unless guests are participating in a pre-booked fitness activity.
Torn jeans, flip-flops and excessive skin display are not allowed in the club.
It is not the first time that Ms. Vardag issues a decree on what staff should not wear at work.
In 2020, her notes were leaked to a legal gossip website, reminding her staff to abide by the firm’s previous dress code.
The headline of one email is “Cards!” saying, “I see a cardigan in the office. See the dress code in the handbook. Wool is verboten.
He also ordered all staff to stop looking like “pretty young stuff” in the office, instead telling them to look like “manager” and “president of an important country”.
Also known as the “Diva of Diva”, Ms. Vardag, 52, rose to fame after her role in the landmark Supreme Court case of Radmacher v Granatino in 2010 and amended the law to make prenuptial agreements legally enforceable. Britain
Katrin Radmacher, a German heiress, won a ruling that a prenuptial agreement was legally binding to protect her £100m fortune from her French-born husband, Nicolas Granatino.
Ms Vardag acted on Radmacher’s behalf at the Supreme Court hearing. Queen Elizabeth’s attorneys, Farrer & Co, have been instructed to take over the case, dealing with the practice.