• The New York Times, Tuesday, October 3, 2006 12:15 PM

The long-time symbol of Wal-Mart's working-class roots--its humble blue smock or vest emblazoned with "How may I help you?"--may be checking out. A fancier Wal-Mart, which is trying to attract upscale shoppers with 300-thread-count sheets, flat-screen TVs and nine-layer lasagna, evidently calls for a fancier uniform. The company has begun quietly testing a new preppy look--khaki pants and a navy blue polo shirt--for its 1.3 million workers in the United States. The look of the ensemble could change, however, according to a company spokesperson. The color of the polo shirt, in particular, may be modified--perhaps to avoid any confusion with the uniform at Best Buy, which refers to its employees as Blue Shirts. Consumer companies view employees as an extension of their brand name, and dress them accordingly. The salespeople at the teenage clothing chain Abercrombie & Fitch, for example, wear baggy pants and tight-fitting shirts to project the image of sex appeal and youth. The wardrobe change is the latest sign of a style initiative underway at the nation's biggest retailer. Over the last several years, Wal-Mart has opened a trend-spotting office in Manhattan, bought ads in Vogue, and created a line of urban fashions.

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