According to the analysis, 3.3% of UK job postings in July 2025 referenced casual attire, a marked cultural shift that reflects changing workplace norms, the rise of remote work, and a new generation of style-conscious employees.

While the pandemic initially accelerated this trend, the move towards relaxed dress codes has proved durable, with mentions in job ads remaining well above pre-2020 levels. Personal care, marketing, and media & communications are the top occupational groups for casual dress mentions.

Northern Ireland has the highest share of postings mentioning casual dress at 4.7% in the three months to July, ahead of the North West (4.2%) and East Midlands (4.0%). London has the lowest share at just 2.3%, which may partly reflect jobs mix, being strong in occupation groups like financial services where more formal dress is likely to be expected, alongside tech where casual dress is so widespread it’s rarely explicitly stated in postings.

Smart casual becomes standard

Employers are increasingly framing casual dress policies as part of a broader push to improve workplace culture and attract talent in a competitive hiring environment. Many use language like “smart casual” or “dress for your day” in postings, reflecting a balance between professionalism and comfort.

Although casual dress mentions peaked at 4% in early 2023, the current level remains more than ten times higher than before the pandemic. In-person roles such as personal care & home health (9.2% of postings) are among the most likely to highlight a casual dress policy.

The UK stands out globally

The UK’s share of casual dress job postings (3.3%) is higher than in Australia (0.4%) and the US (0.3%), though lower than in Canada (5.3%). However, there is little similarity across countries with regards to the jobs most likely to mention casual dress. While personal care & home health, marketing and media & communications rank highly in the UK, they don’t chart in either Canada or Australia. Meanwhile other categories, such as childcare in Canada and electrical engineering in the US, show prominence abroad.

Generational and cultural shifts

Jack Kennedy, Senior Economist at Indeed commented on the trend: “The UK’s shift towards more casual workplace dress codes is about more than just clothing, it’s a signal of evolving workplace culture. Remote work has blurred the boundaries between home and office, giving employees greater flexibility in their day-to-day attire. Millennials and Gen Z, who often prefer less formal clothing, now also make up a growing share of the workforce and increasingly hold leadership positions, helping to shape workplace norms.

“The tech industry’s non-conformity when it comes to traditional office wear may have also played a role in normalising the idea that professionalism isn’t defined by a suit and tie. Interestingly, tech job postings reference casual dress less often (2.5%), likely because it is already so embedded in the industry’s culture that it no longer needs to be mentioned.

“Flexible attire policies can boost employee satisfaction, help companies appeal to a wider talent pool, and reflect the realities of hybrid and remote work. While we’re unlikely to see boardrooms full of tracksuits any time soon, the trend towards smart casual and ‘dress for your day’ looks set to stay.”

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