do people prefer to work in a casual environment where u can wear what you want to work or do they prefer to have to dress smartly in an atmosphere where they may feel a bit more professional. i work in a casual environment and really like it and couldnt imagine having to wear a suit everyday!

Casual anyday!! I like to wear what I feel comfortable in. I don't want to be stuck in a suit all day; it just wouldn't feel right!

Casual work places must becoming more common because I also work in a casual enviroment! I love it, In my last internship I used to have to wear a suit but I find you're alot more relaxed in casual clothes and it's amazing in the summer.

I think if you're not client facing then theres no reason to wear a suit.

have definitely noticed a shift from business wear to business casual and more towards just casual.  death to the tie.  hoorah.

I think that if you're in a client facing role then smart dress is essential. After all you want to make a good impression! But, other than that casual all the way... It makes for a more relaxed atmosphere and I find it makes people more productive if they're comfortable.

If everybody wore casual then it wouldn't matter if you were customer facing

Fellani has hit it.

Smart clothes are now essential for a customer facing role, but really there's no reason for it, it doesn't make you better at your job, it's all on a superficial level. Sad really.

Waring casual clothes that are comfortbale is really important to me. if i had to wear uncortbale shirts/skirts /trousers/heels it would actually be detrimental to my performance at work!

in stark contrast to everyone else, i love getting dressed in my power suit and going to work.  it makes it easy to distinguish the character i am at work as a lawyer to the one i am outside with my friends. 

I think it fully depends on what your workplace is.  If dealing with clients on a daily basis, smart can reflect the attitude of the company.  However, if only see work mates on a day to day basis why dress up?

on a day like today to have to go to work suited and booted must be a nightmare.  long live casual workplaces.

Does anyone have any ideas for me regarding the whole 'wear smart-casual dress statement'...i've an induction day for my internship with macmillan cancer support next week and we've been instructed to wear smart casual but definitely no jeans. I am female therefore am thinking grey trousers with a nice fitted shirt but is this too smart?? what is smart-casual really?!

I think that sounds good - it's better to err on the smarter side than the casual side and I think what you've described sounds spot on!

I think casual is better!

Can't imagine going into work in a suit in this weather!