Clothes might maketh the man but a fashion faux pas in the workplace could leave labour relations threadbare. More companies are implementing dress codes as inappropriate ensembles have led to, among other things, near punch-ups and religious beliefs being offended.Even the City of Cape Town has devised a policy to "set acceptable standards".Labour lawyer Michael Bagraim says he is drawing up regulations and guidelines for corporations from around the country. Sexually provocative work attire, he says, has even led to disciplinary inquiries.This month, Bagraim had to douse the tempers of ANC supporters when colleagues on a construction site in Cape Town wore their red EFF berets."We don't want any fights at work, because people were threatening to beat each other up. As we are coming up to elections, people are starting to get a bit tense," he says.mini_story_image_hleft1Recently he drew up a dress code for a sales company in Johannesburg after staff came to work in their favourite soccer team's jerseys. It not only upset colleagues but had the potential to irritate customers.Often Bagraim is faced with complaints from women about other women's skimpy attire."We've had grievances raised by women who said they are religious people and don't want to see this at work. We had to do a complete revamp of a dress code at a call centre and had to list that it is not appropriate to wear see-through tops and not appropriate to wear hotpants," he says.Irvin Lawrence, a director in ENSafrica's employment department, has also noted a "recent upsurge" in companies introducing dress codes."From the late 1990s until recently, many companies moved away from formal and prescriptive dress code policies, except in certain institutions such as banks and hospitals," he says."It is unclear whether this recent move back towards dress code policies is as a result of companies wanting to project their brand or whether it is intended to introduce dress conformity and maintain sensible dress within the workplace."Craig Jacobs, trends expert and designer of fashion house Fundudzi, says the casual trend emerged in the 1990s with the rise of the tech industry. "People have started taking things too far, turning up for meetings wearing tracksuit pants with socks and flip-flops.full_story_image_hleft2"People need to realise that your appearance is a reflection of your personal brand and you need to dress according to how you want to be perceived by those around you. What's happened is that people have just become lazy, and the rise of sportswear as a trend has played a big part in contributing to this."Some companies, especially in commerce, have had guidelines for years. Sanlam is "comfortable" with staff adopting a smart-casual look, but jeans have to be neat, "not torn, nor designer-ripped or faded".KPMG has do's and don'ts and even provides images of the acceptable "business casual" look. For men, "crisply ironed clothes", "matching socks and trousers", preferably plain black socks (mid-calf length) get the thumbs-up. And women with, among other things, "simple makeup" and "hidden underwear in neutral colours" get the nod.The company is updating its policy and has introduced "My Style Friday" which allows a smart-casual look.mini_story_image_hright3Missing Link, a corporate presentations company, has created one of the most relaxed offices, with its treehouse and fireman's pole. Here staff can get inked for free at the tattoo parlour. Employees are encouraged to be the "best version of self", says Donovan de Souza.But even here they have hit a clothing speed bump. "We had a guy come in wearing a worker's overall. He cut off the legs and things and it looked sloppy, even by our standards," says De Souza. A chat was had with staff and it has been smooth sailing since.But it is not easy to put together an outfit every day.An editor of a leading women's magazine, who wants to remain anonymous, says: "Working on a fashion magazine, you're a brand ambassador and expected to look the part.The fashion department cares more for trends than me. But I should look brushed and polished. Finding covers and dressing in the morning are my two most stressful things."davidsn@sundaytimes.co.za..