There must be something in the DNA of the residential property management industry that seems to compel thousands of people to wear “property management blue” each and every day. In fact, I may be wrong about this, but I think there may be a “Pantone Property Management Blue” swatch somewhere in the universe that is the reference color for all in the industry. 

I mean, the next time you walk into a community, or attend an industry event, don’t we all seem to have the same blue-toned shirts or blouses on? 

Before I upset you fans of “Property Management Blue,” understand this, I LOVE blue. This is not an assault on the color blue. As a matter of fact I have several blue dress shirts, I’m wearing a blue shirt now as I write this post, and I like them all. 

(Incidentally, If you’re a company that encourages/allows your associates to wear dress shirts/blouses/tops other than PM Blue or white, this post is not for you! But feel free to pass on to your friends in other companies that only wear blue or white tops.)

But if your company dress code is more conservative, with a limited amount of options, I’d encourage you to consider allowing your associates the ability to wear other colors! Today’s fashion environment is very different from a decade ago and colors that were considered non-professional, or too informal a few years ago, are now considered business normal in much of the workplaces of America. And, as Millennials and Generation X-ers continue the process of becoming the majority of people in the workforce today, it is imperative that your dress standards change with the times. 

Look at this picture of Michael Strahan~a former NFL player and co-host of “Live With Kelly and Michael.” He looks great, fashionable and yet, still very appropriate for the business world. All good things!

Photo Credit: US Magazine

In other words, looking business professional no longer means only wearing:

Black Suit

Blue or White Shirt

Red Tie

Put Some Soy Sauce in Your Dress Code! 

There is a heightened sense of awareness of fashion (even among men today) which I think is great. (I like this era a whole lot better than the grunge look of the 90’s!) And we know that when people look good, they feel good~and when your associates feel good they’ll perform better, they’ll be perceived by clients and residents better, and the image and perception of your company and communities will be better too. 

I have a combination I wear consisting of:

• Charcoal grey suit
• Pink dress shirt
• Cream/pink tie
• Dark brown shoes (If you've never worn dark brown shoes with a charcoal grey suit, you need to do it!)

And EVERYTIME I wear it, I get lots of compliments on it. People love fashion and people love being fashionable. 

Don’t force your people to be “white rice plain” all the time! Allow them to put some “soy sauce in their wardrobes”, spice things up a bit, add some flavor and let them express themselves (within reason) and see the positive results that can follow.