BUSINESSMEN and women planning new summer wardrobes would do well to avoid the modern trend of shorts and anything that could loosely be called flip-flops, a survey has found.

A survey by recruitment firm Reed Employment found that nine out of ten people working in an office environment strictly adhered to formal work dress codes every day, shunning comedy ties, jeans, short skirts, flip flops, trainers and sportswear.

Some 85% said that in today’s office environment having a dress code was still "highly relevant".

Nine out of ten would always wear a suit to an interview and two-thirds also believed that wearing a suit is important to create the right impression on the first day at a new job.

Canterbury-based Jane Wallace, from image consultancy, House of Colour, said: "Whatever you wear to work needs to say that you are there to work. The suit does say I am professional, serious about what I do, can be trusted.

"Even if the dress code is smart casual it still needs to say ‘I am at work’ so remember that comedy ties, Bermuda shorts - unless maybe you are a postman, flip flops, just don’t say this.

Lewis Woodward, head of network marketing at Reed Employment said: "The old adage ‘dress for success’ clearly rings true.

"It is however, surprising that so many people feel that wearing smart office attire is still highly relevant in today’s business climate and that it is key to advancing their careers."