Basically, I think this sensationalizing of modernizing workplace attire is just getting corny. It's just like people find the ugliest jeans and sneakers possible, and seem to be competing on who cares the least and who's more laid back than everyone else. And, tech CEOs or others can't even wear interesting clothes, or else it'll look inappropriate.
That means, favorite video game? Can't wear the tee. Like Kiss t-shirts? I don't think so. Like, it's just getting weird. I'm thinking at some point, we'll have to find a line that will officially define workplace attire. I saw a fashion magazine categorize traditional dress codes as 'draconian'. Are we going to move past this trend?
I feel you brotha its like what ever happened to traditional values. I for one say we bring back the suspenders.
It's not about traditional values. It's about not being weirdos. There's a certain point where your tee and sneakers has its limit without being weird. People that are creative can comfortably wear different shoes, pants, and shirts/ties and don't have to compromise in the spirit of being cool and new age. It's just getting lame IMO.
Personally, I like dressing different for work. It is like shedding skin when I get home. However, if a company wants their employees walking around looking like stoned hipsters so be it.
I hate dressing up but we humble bankers need a way to differentiate ourselves from the peasant plebeians that crawl this earth
Right now imagining Qatalyst/BX bankers wearing logo-tshirts to client meetings.
I have issues on men wearing skinny jeans :)
A good fitted and well made suit is what separate between a man and a boy. We are defined by how we carry and present ourselves to the world. If you can't even bother to make yourself look good past 30s, then there is not much hope left. And I would rather wear a suit every single day. Professional dark navy (during work) and window-panel-dark-navy-pinstripe-double-breasted-gold-button-peak-lapel (after work).
I don't care for suits from a comfort standpoint-- If it's tailored, you likely can't reach your arms straight above your head.
That said, a suit or formal dress code is just as much a state of mind as well as an appearance. A well tailored suit makes me/my clients feel like I'm competent and conservative. This is essential if you're running their life savings and trying to portray that you'll be a good steward of their money. I'd feel a lot different closing deals in a flannel or trying to articulate a complex transaction in a t-shirt.
To me it seems that if you don't have the time, money or desire to put on a professional demeanor, what will make people think you'll do the same for their money? Just my .02
Bobby Axelrod wears jeans and Metallica t-shirts and Axe Cap is doing great!
I have less of a problem with non-suit culture and more of a problem with people dressing like crap. You can look sharp ASF without a suit on if you know what you're doing. Problem is, "tech" culture is seeping into regular human culture, bringing us humans down to the lowest common physical denominator of the sub-human tech nerd. It's atrocious and should be dealt with by law enforcement.
John T Molloy has a lot of research proving that dressing well has its benefits. I have clients at some of the largest tech & pharma companies, and the highest performers dress better than wearing band t shirts and crummy sneakers to work. yes, the newer software engineers wear hoodies and flip flops, but the guys making the most money aren't dressing like slobs.
I think I remember DickFuld saying that Lehman went casual leading up to the tech bubble, but when it burst, the ties came back.
I think at a minimum, you should have a shirt with a collar tucked into non-denim pants and shoes that wouldn't be comfortable to go for a run in. I wear a suit every day, but sometimes I wish I could ditch the tie (most of the time). and for offices where clients never come by plus here in the south where in july, a 30 yard walk to your car will have you sweating like sandusky during cross examination, I don't know that long sleeves are necessary ALL the time.
However, that didn't save us in 2008. Maybe we should have lost the ties forever.....
May I suggest something? I think the reason that we wear suits and there is also a general consent on what is considered appropriate - white/blue shirt + navy/gray two buttons suit is that we would like to start from an equal standing.
Assume that we have a meeting in the US and people decide to wear whatever we want. There is this guy from Texas with a cowboy hat, another hipster looking guy from California with a hoodie and gym pant, then there is the guy from New York with a suit. Even before the meeting get started, these three guys will start making wrong assumptions about each other (i.e. Texas - a hillbilly, Cali - a hipster, NY - a square). All of these assumptions are not conducive to a meeting where everyone needs to be on the same page.
Thus a formal professional dress code is introduced where everyone dressed almost the same or sort of a minimum requirement of what is expected. All the nonconstructive assumptions and stereotypes are removed and a proper business meeting can be conducted and people can focus on what truly matter on the table - closing the deal.