Dress for the job you want not the job you're in... sound advice?

Hi All,

A topic that seems to crop up fairly regularly when I'm at work is the concept of 'dress for the job you want, not the job you're in'. I'm often on the receiveing end of incredulous looks when I tell friends that I often wear blue chinos no tie into the office despite the fact that most other employees in my age bracket are suited and booted on a daily basis. Essentially, although I agree with the advice in essence, I think it's important to add colleague context when it comes to the dress code decision. After all, how many of your bosses wear a jacket and tie to anything other than a client meeting?

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for wearing a good suit, nice tie, looking smart etc whenever you've got a meeting with clients/senior management but I would argue that dressing for the job you want doesn't always boil down to getting that windsor knot tied ever so perfectly each morning. There is a status and confidence that can come just as easily from wearing your standard shirt & chino combo than comes from wearing a suit and tie in the office on a daily basis.

As context, I work in FM at a big European asset manager where very few people wear a tie into work. If anything its a mark of the job that the more senior you get, the more casual you can get away with. In fact, the only guys that I know who regularly wear ties are the recent grad joiners.

As such, personally when I come to work dressed more casually, and by casually I certainly don't mean scruffily, I feel more like I'm dressing for the job I want rather than the job I'm in than if I'd just slipped on a Hermes. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the matter.

 

Hey! In our legal office the partners always wearing a suit and tie whether they have a client or not but I think it depends on the position and yourself. for example in another legal office i know that the lawyers dont wear suits and my father who is CEO of an international firm is having "casual days".

My personal opinion is that when you have a job your into and good at, its okay to dress casual because the people should respect the work you do not the clothes you wear

 

I think you misinterpreted the "rule" somehow. It should actually mean that you should dress up and look the part. Otherwise it wouldn't make much sense. Sporting a bathing suit and Adidas flip flops like Mr Zuckerberg might send the wrong signals (taken to the extreme).

 

Dressing like a ballet isn't going to get you anywhere. I'd dress slightly nicer than most people at your level. You really just want to avoid looking like a slob which has the most negative impact.

 

Would completely disagree. You dress for the job you want, and dress to impress. Fresh out's are expected to kiss ass, & dress as if there is a board meeting any minute. A sharp dressed, stylish but not formal presentation works for both the firm & the "grunts". Second year at my first firm, I was recognized by a Mgr., who asked someone my name & what I did. He talked w/ my Mgr & my MD, sat in on a few meetings and finally we got to talk about my 'development plans' for my career. He knew I had talked w/ some of his guys and had an interest. He offered me a job on the spot. No req., no posting, no BS. He did so b/c of the way I presented myself & represented the firm.

Not tie everyday, but for sure jacket everyday, and suit at least 3 days/wk. I don't know many at AM's & PWM who don't do the same.

 

I think it's about the employer culture. People at my office also wear no tie, no suit, etc. Even short sleeved shirts and chinos are common.

So yes, I wear dress shirt, trousers, oxford shoes, that's it. Nothing fancy.

Fortes fortuna adiuvat.
 

This is good advice, but you also don't want to look better than your boss. This is a female thing. Female bosses can be the worst sometimes. I've been sent home for wearing tennis shoes at a retail store. If your at a retail job say Walmart, don't wear the Cole Haans. That's why we have Nike's. So you want to look good without being an asshat. In the Biz world look professional and observe the work place. Are people wearing tailor made suits or JC Penny? Is it high maintenance or chill vibe? Judge the 1st week.

Greed is Good!
 

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