The days of plunging necklines and exposed belly buttons in the office could be numbered.

Bosses and unions report a move away from the days of casual Friday back to more formal attire.

The latest company to clamp down on dress codes is the Bank of Bermuda who are re-introducing ?business attire, rather than business casual? for all Bank of Bermuda employees from the end of the month.

Women can choose from suits (skirt or trousers), dresses and skirt/trousers and blouse ensembles. Men must wear a dress shirts with a tie, jacket and business trousers or Bermuda shorts.

A bank spokesperson said one standard of clothing will be observed throughout the organisation.

?We will however continue to support national charitable initiatives where casual wear is encouraged.?

Union leader Ed Ball of the Bermuda Public Services Association said he had noticed a trend to unsuitable outfits in the working environment, with some employees turning up in garb more similar to a night club than a working environment.

He said similar concerns had been raised in Government, with some merit, about overly relaxed dress codes which revealed undergarments.

?In some instances it?s a bit ridiculous.

?Some people dress in a fashion a bit less than professional ? belly buttons out, backs out, cleavages in some instances, women showing. Some men are not dressed professionally.

?A dress code should not infringe human rights, it should outline what?s appropriate for a business image.

?A uniform is always the best way to go if you have a person on a tight budget. They don?t faze anyone. You can rotate them. It could be good PR for the bank.

?Maybe the bank could assist in uniform allowances.

?Some people might not be able to afford whole new wardrobes.?

However, the bank said: ?Clothing allowances will not be offered to employees but uniforms will continue as they currently exist, for customer service associates in community banking and premises employees and may be considered for other appropriate areas within the bank.?

Bermuda Employers? Council executive director Andrea Mowbray has also noticed a shift in attitudes to office fashion.

She said: ?It?s not a problem but I would say the business community is moving away from the casual Friday.

?It?s a trend which started about a year ago on Wall Street and Wall Street has moved back.

?People are starting to move back to formal attire which reflects a more business-like attitude.?

She said law firms had never gone the casual route but insurance companies had eased restrictions but were now part of the backlash.