Already on a downward curve, the corporate world has seen a relaxing of dress codes since the covid pandemic forced everyone to work from home. “Smart casual” has become the new standard as more employees return to the office. However, that only tells part of the story in Asia.

Fearing customer complaints, many employers in Japan have historically banned bleached hair, nail polish, or piercings among their customer-facing workers. But such restrictions are now being relaxed by some restaurant chains and retailers.