In the finance world, former Wallabies captain Nick Farr-Jones (now the director of Taurus Funds Management) agrees with Leal.
Casual influencers: Nic Kaufmann, Alejandro Zwartendijk, Benji Krol and Nils Kuesel at Paris Men’s Fashion Week in January. Getty
“It all depends on the nature of the meeting or function,” he says. “That said, these days I rarely wear a tie, even to large lunches. I think that would apply even if I was meeting with senior business executives or politicians.”
In fact, Farr-Jones says, “Wearing an open neck with a suit or sports jacket has become very Australian.”
Fashion blogger Pelayo Diaz during Paris Fashion Week in January. Getty
For the final word I went to former Liberal Party strategist Tony Barry, a straight-shooter if I ever met one. As I could have predicted, Barry told me he “felt like a spare d*ck at a wedding” without a tie.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that despite the stated casual dress codes in modern workplaces, if you turn up to a CEO presentation without a tie, you are perceived differently. I’d suit up.”
