College Students' Perceptions of Occupational Attributes Based on Formality of Business Attire

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to (a) identify the dimensions of occupational attributes associated with three levels of formality of business attire worn by male and female workers, (b) examine the differences of the perceived occupational attributes associated with formality of business attire, and (c) assess differences between business and nonbusiness students' perceived occupational attributes of the aforementioned business attire. Statistical analyses of data from 230 women and 88 men showed that there were two dimensions of occupational attributes related to business attire, sociable and powerful appearance. Scores on perceived occupational attributes for formal attire of both men and women were consistently higher than those of semiformal or informal attire. Scores on the perceived occupational attributes of business students were consistently lower than those of nonbusiness students, implying business students' higher expectation of formality of appearance in a business setting. The over-all results indicate that formal business attire gave more positive ratings for all the occupational attributes.