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In the years following the pandemic, our workplace dress codes have become the most casual theyve ever been. For some, this shift has been welcomed with open arms. For those who enjoyed dressing up, it has felt like a departure from a wardrobe that made them feel confident and ready for their day. In the same way that some felt that pre-COVID dress codes were confining, others now feel the same kind of discomfort with an ultracasual work dress code. Our workplaces have created a new unspoken expectation of how to dress that leaves little room for personal expression. In my work as a stylist, the feedback Ive been hearing is that rejecting the dress code will alienate people from their teamwhen in reality, dressing can, and should, be another way to bring your unique perspective to the workplace. THE COST OF TRYING TO FIT IN To avoid the risk of standing out, many professionals will dress like everyone else. Go into any workplace and youll quickly see similarities in what people are wearing. In formal environments like banking, legal, or financial industries, youll be swimming in a sea of black, navy, beige, and other neutral-colored suits. When I worked in a small startup, where casual attire was encouraged, the norm was jeans (or yoga pants!), half-zip pullovers, and sneakers. I often felt out of place wearing my elevated jeans-and-blazer looks. Yet, in ad agencies or trendy direct-to-consumer brands, quiet luxury may be on trend and relevant. Over time, our desire to adhere to these unspoken rules outweighs our desire to lean into self-expression. Contrary to what weve been told, there is no one way to dress for success. Now that the dust has settled from our post-COVID phase, I believe the new norm of being comfortable in work attire isnt a rule for how to dress, but a call to dress in a way that is more authentic to who we are. What standout professionals know is that dressing to appease or fit a standard can diminish your confidence and energy. But when you dress in a way that is true to you, you show up with more determination, focus, enjoyment, and confidence. What would it look like, then, to embrace a new definition of comfort in your dress in the workplace? Here are three tips to work with the current anything-goes dress code thats individual to youwithout sacrificing comfort. Notice how your clothes make you feel If you want to leverage clothes as a tool, get in tune with how they make you feel. When you put on an outfit, does it give you energy? Does it make you feel like you want to be more social or speak up? Or does it make you feel like going back to bed and hiding under the covers? The clothes that give you an extra lift will set your day up for aligned results. In a study that has become known as the Batman Effect, we learned that children ages 4 to 6 exhibited much greater determination, confidence, and focus when they worked on a boring task while wearing a cape that made them feel like Batman. In another study, researchers Hajo Adam and Adam D. Galinsky concluded that what we wear affects how we think and behave, specifically our attentiveness and focus. This result was later coined as Enclothed Cognition. All of this points to the fact that clothes are useful for more than status symbols and trends. They are tools we can use to access a different level of ourselves in the workplace and beyond. Seek to stand out rather than fit in The mark of a great brand isnt one that seeks to fit in, but to stand out. Your clothes, which are a part of your personal brand, are no different. While wearing clothes that blend in with others in your industry may feel like the key to success (a mindset that might remind you of your high school days), the true marker of confidence is to express your most authentic self through your outfit. In fact, think of the leaders in your workplace or your industry you admire. Do they wear what everyone else is wearing? Or do they forge their own path? Think of Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg decades ago when they came onto the scene wearing clothes that bucked all work norms. It made the news because we all wondered, How could someone so successful show up wearing hoodies and sneakers? Fast-forward to today: Some of my favorite female leaders who are daring to be bold and emblazon a new path with their style are Michelle Obama, Naima Judge, Rosalind Brewer, and Bozoma Saint John. By owning their authenticity, they show us its okayand actually quite powerfulto be your authentic self. Judge was recently quoted saying, It takes energy to not be your authentic self. If I can be more authentic, I can then use my energy to focus on my clients and uplift the people who report to me. I couldnt agree more. Notice what rules and beliefs are holding you back Over time, we all collect rules about what is acceptable (or not acceptable) to wear to work. These rules can be influenced by our own families or social circles but also can be defined by beliefs about dress surrounding our age, whether we have children, the industry we work in, and so on. The rulessometimes without our realizing itcan become ingrained beliefs that affect our behaviors. For example, if you work in an industry where everyone wears neutrals, you might subconsciously create a rule that neutrals are the only way to dress to be taken seriously. But if youre someone who loves color, questioning that rule might look like showing up in a teal suit that is not only professional but also showcases a part of your true self. The first step in breaking free is to identify what rules have been guiding your decisions in terms of what to where and what you buy. A clue to determine whether these beliefs are unhelpful is if theyre focused on others’ expectations, rules, standards, and unquestioned beliefs. Then, ask yourself, Is this a rule that is still relevant and true in my life? Often, simply questioning whats true is the pathway to freedom and making choices that are more aligned with your authentic self. While having less guidance on what to wear to work can feel frustrating, consider how it can also be liberating. Finallyfinally!we get to wear what makes us feel most like ourselves. And when you start to think of your clothes not just as a fashion statement but as fuel to achieve your goals, you realize the power that choosing your outfit each day holds.
Category:
E-Commerce
With the Atlantic hurricane season underway and another record-hot summer ahead, corporate America is entering its most volatile stretch of the year. From tariffs to extreme weather, todays risks are hitting supply chains, markets, and investor confidence. The environment turns every natural or man-made crisis into a business liability. If youre a CEO, board member, or C-suite leader, this is your wake-up call and your moment to prepare. To help, we offer a warning of an emerging threat to be ready for: misinformation. Recent leadership shifts, political interference, and funding uncertainty have exposed cracks in the countrys crisis response infrastructure. If government systems cant keep up with the pace of crisis this year and beyond, businesses cant afford to wait. And misinformation cannot go unchecked or ignored. A new front has opened that plays out on the digital battlefield of public perception, where misinformation spreads faster than facts. Lies are sensational, loud, and sticky. The truth? Its often slower and more complexand yes, sometimes boring. That imbalance is where real damage happens. The New Crisis Reality In any crisiswhether a public health emergency, cyberattack, or natural disastercommunication is as vital as the response itself. In todays hyperpolarized landscape, weve already seen the consequences of misinformation, which offer a sobering preview of whats ahead. During the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, social media-fueled panic overshadowed official response efforts. In 2021s Colonial Pipeline cyberattack, misinformation triggered unnecessary fuel shortages across the eastern U.S. In Maui, conspiracy theories about the Lahaina wildfires spread faster than emergency warnings. During last falls Hurricanes Helene and Milton, disinformation delayed life-saving actions, disrupted coordination with cross-sector partners, and triggered real-world threats of violence against federal employees. And during the Los Angeles wildfires, AI images of the Hollywood sign engulfed in flames circulated widely online, further straining a community trying to recover. Misinformation isnt just accidental. Its being weaponized. Foreign adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran actively exploit crises to deepen divisions, discredit institutions, and disrupt coordinated responses. We also see this challenge at home, where opportunists or inaccurate reporting are driven by ideology or self-interest to spread false narratives that lead to fear, confusion, and preventable missteps. In a crisis, these harmful tactics not only cloud reality but also actively undermine efforts to help people. Instead of leading through the crisis and mobilizing solutions, companies and government officials are forced into damage control and fighting falsehoods. For companies, false information can trigger stock market drops, supply chain delays, and public backlash. It can erode consumer confidence, spark boycotts, and force costly crisis response efforts that wouldnt otherwise be necessary. Fighting misinformation preemptively through systems, training, and partnerships isnt just good risk management. Its a direct investment in business continuity and brand resilience. And yes, it costs money. But the cost of doing nothing is often much higher. What Business Leaders Must Do Now Misinformation is more than a government problem. It affects every industryfrom energy and finance to retail and transportationand every size of business, from multinationals with global supply chains to small companies serving local communities. During catastrophic events like earthquakes, hurricanes, or cyberattacks, companies within disaster zones play a critical role in recovery. To lead effectively, they need the trust of employees, customers, and local communities. Misinformation undercuts that trust. And its not just during major disasters. In todays always-on information environment, false narratives can surface at any time and spread quickly. The more visible a company is, the more exposed it is to misinformation that can damage its reputation and its bottom line. Companies already recognize this risk, but the speed and scale of recent eventsduring wildfires, cyberattacks, and even routine service outagesshows that the landscape is evolving faster than most are prepared for. Many still lack the infrastructure or strategy to respond effectively. That means executive teams need to start preparing nownot after the fact. Heres how to get ahead of it: Adopt a trusted and battle-tested crisis framework The Federal Emergency Management Agencys Emergency Support Function #15 (ESF-15) is part of the National Response Framework, the federal playbook for how government coordinates during disasters. ESF-15 focuses specifically on external affairshow agencies manage public messaging, media relations, and stakeholder engagement under pressure. Companies can adapt key elements by clearly assigning communication roles, syncing messaging strategies across departments and with external partners, and preparing to respond quickly when false narratives start to spiral. It offers a way to operationalize the response to misinformation by focusing first on delivering accurate, life-safety information to the publicbefore becoming consumed by brand reputation concerns. Conduct high-stakes crisis simulations Most companies run drills for natural disasters or data breaches, but few test how theyd respond to viral misinformation. False narratives can spread faster than the facts, especially during high-stress events. If you havent practiced for that, youre not prepared. A strong simulation replicates how misinformation unfolds through a misleading social media post gaining traction, a fake image circulating, or a rumor targeting your product or executives. From there, teams must react in real timevalidating facts, aligning internal and external messaging, and deciding when and how to respond publicly. Run these scenarios with your full crisis team, including communications, legal, HR, and operations. Dont underestimate the value of having your companys executive team or board in the room. Use realistic conditions like time pressure, incomplete information, and conflicting stakeholder needs. And most importantly, build i consequences. Did the company overreact and make it worse? Did it wait too long to correct the record? These are the dynamics leaders must experience before the real thing hits. Establish public-private resilience networks In a crisis, coordination cant start from scratch. Companies in critical sectors like energy, telecom, and water need standing relationships with local, state, and regional response partners. Even as FEMAs future role becomes increasingly uncertain under the current administration, local and state emergency managers remain vital anchors in disaster response. Companies should identify their regional emergency management agencies and build relationships with leadership, external affairs, joint information centers, and recovery coordinators. Many cities and states already run public-private working groups and emergency operations centers where businesses can participate directly during response and recovery efforts. The goal is to align earlyon messaging, resource coordination, and community needs. When companies and local officials are already connected, theyre in a stronger position to counter confusion, support vulnerable populations, and help stabilize recovery. If federal coordination weakens as many suspect it will under current leadership, these local and state-level partnerships become even more essential. Diversify communication channels Misinformation doesnt wait for a natural disaster. It can spread during a product recall, a service outage, a viral rumor, or in the middle of a major storm. In any of these cases, relying on a single communication channel is a risk. If your website crashes, social media is flooded, or email deliverability drops, how will you reach the people who matter most? Companies already go to extraordinary lengths to get the word out when things go right. They’ll build multi-platform campaigns to sell a new streaming subscription, launch a product drop with a celebrity brand ambassador, or drive demand through social media content for the latest pair of Jordansensuring the message sticks, spreads, and leads to action. That same level of effort is needed when things go wrong. A layered strategy is key. Use tools you control, like text messages to customers, in-app notifications, email, and internal platforms like Slack. Back that up with special hotlines, direct outreach from managers, and even packaging inserts. Traditional and local news outlets are essential, but so is engaging with digital creators who have built trusted online communities of their own. These are the same channels companies already use to drive sales or launch productsnow they need to be ready to correct the record when things go sideways. For businesses with physical locations, point-of-sale signage or handouts can help reinforce the right message. And when systems go down, low-tech options like printed flyers, AM radio, or employee word of mouth may be the most effective of all. Whether its a brand crisis or a major emergency, the goal is the same: Make sure the right message gets to the right people at the right timeclearly, quickly, and through whatever channels are still standing. The Cost of Inaction Businesses that fail to adapt arent just falling behindtheyre exposing people, assets, and long-term viability to growing risk. Public experts and former officials have warned that our national disaster response systems are being hollowed out. The ongoing dismantling of FEMAs leadership and staffing, along with the rollback of coordination functions across federal agencies, is weakening both our emergency response and our broader national security posture. At the same time, the misinformation landscape is only getting more volatile. Bad actors are more sophisticated, AI is lowering the barrier to entry, and fewer trusted messengers remain in place to cut through the noise. Preparedness is no longer a best practiceits a market imperative. In the next crisis, it wont be the truth that drives action. Itll be whatever people hear first and believe fastest. But theres power in what companies do next. Trusted brands, clear communicators, and credible institutions have a unique role to playnot just in protecting their reputation, but in helping the public navigate uncertainty, especially right now. When businesses lead with clarity and humanity, they not only survive the next crisis, they also help shape a stronger, more resilient economy for everyone. And isnt that the clearest measure of brand strength todaynot just being known, but being believed when it matters most?
Category:
E-Commerce
The look of the health and wellness products at CVS is about to get a little less prescriptive. The pharmacy chain, which reported $94.59 billion in revenue in the first quarter of 2025, landing ahead of expectations, announced it is overhauling its packaging for 68 pain reliever products this month, with updated packaging to come for nearly 3,000 other health and wellness items by the end of 2026. The outgoing packaging for the pharmacy’s private-label health and wellness products looks overtly clinical, in some cases packing product information into small areas with tiny text. Consumers are already overwhelmed with so many options in the health and wellness category, according to Musab Balbale, CVS Health’s chief merchandising officer. While we continuously strive to innovate our brands, we had not conducted a complete update of the CVS Health brand identity in almost 10 years, Balbale tells Fast Company. Now, we are putting our CVS brand front and center to truly stand out on the shelf. The new look is streamlined, with a simpler CVS logo instead of CVS Health, flat colors instead of gradients, and bigger product labels. The packages are easier to read, and a simplified visual hierarchy emphasizes product benefits and features. It’s made for store shelves and for easy comprehension at a glance. Products for kids and babies will be labeled with a ladybug. The redesign was done over the course of a year by teams from across CVS Health working with outside partners including the brand design agency Pearlfisher. Why CVS is rebranding The new packaging is the latest example of a private-label rebrand as CVS and other retailers have invested more in their own product lines. As consumers traded down from national brands to store brands due to inflation since the pandemic, stores like Target and Walmart redesigned their house brands to grow their owned shelf space and revenue. With friendly, brightly colored packaging that’s more design-forward and high-end than many of the generic brands of years past, this new generation of private-label products is meant to reach high-income shoppers with big-box-store prices. For CVS, the new packaging was made with three goals in mind: modernizing the brand, bringing the brand front and center, and emphasizing product form and benefits to make the shopping experience easier. The larger goal is associating CVS with health and wellness at large. With this evolution of the CVS brand, we’re not only simplifying shopping for customers, but we’re also aiming to become the health and wellness brand they think of first when seeking trusted solutions that deliver value and convenience, Mike Wier, VP of store brands at CVS Health, said in a statement. CVS introduced a private-label snack brand called Well Market last year following an overhaul of CVS Beauty in 2023. Its new health and wellness product packaging represents a further investment into building a strong store brand for core product offerings.
Category:
E-Commerce
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