Formally ending formal wear's reign

Forget the Air India non-announcement for a while. Instead, let's give a Maharaja bow to SkyUp Airlines, Ukraine's low- budget airline, for ushering a revolution that could be a dress rehearsal for companies - and not just airlines - across the world. Barring some firms, most of which are based in Silicon Valley, companies go to (suit) lengths to have their employees maintain a dress code. This has been especially true for airline staff. SkyUp has decided to stop this 'emperor's old clothes' habit and DressDown. Female staff, tired of wearing high heels, tight blouses and skirts, had asked they be allowed to concentrate on their job instead: serving passengers well. SkyUp's HR decided this was okay, and now we have one of Europe's biggest and youngest airline's in-flight crew having the option of wearing sneakers and trousers.

SkyUp isn't alone in doing away with silly optics. Virgin Atlantic allows flight attendants to not wear make-up; Norwegian Air and Japan Airlines allow flat shoes. For companies still with a suit-tie fetish, shedding formalwear can make for more comfortable (read: better) work. That wearing 'formals' is the only way to 'look good' or 'appear smart' is a myth that should have been sent to the cleaners long ago.

P.S. This editorial was written while wearing the comfiest clothes possible in polite company.