Do you dress to portray your professionalism?

[Lovely]

I would like your opinion on this topic.
I try to dress professionally at work suit, stockings, heels or flats everyday because I feel it portrays a professinal image.
However, sometimes I just want to dress casual, it is soo hot here and suits are hot.
Alot of my co-workers dress down (a little too down).
Do we consciously or sub-consciously view people according to the way they dress at work or other places?

[KittyKat]

I live in Texas, and many offices in the city in which I live have adopted a "casual dress" policy. Really, it's super duper hot and humid during the summer months, and I don't know if we could all hang in suits and jackets.

I also think it depends on your profession. If you're working in a law office, you'll likely dress professionally. If you're working for a large industry (computers, for example), there's room for adjustment.

[kitten03]

This is a really good topic...
Since I'm still in school, and good suits are so expensive. I dress pretty casual yet conservatively at work.

I hate to see everyone wearing such drab colors like black, blue and brown. I love wearing floral dresses and skirts that offer a more feminine touch to my office. (I work with attorneys and they are sooooo conservative)

I think regardless of my dress, the work that I do and the efficiency by which i complete it means more to them. Of course, I'd never come in in hoochie wear. but since I don't draw too much attention to myself (i.e. gossip, personal phone calls, leaving the office for extended periods), my clothes are not an issue.

My bottom line is: Your work ethic should be adequately complemented by your clothes. Professional dress does not come at the risk of looking nice in something less business formal. Just don't wear club clothes to work the next day.

[kiml122]

Fortunately where I work we have "Business Casual" everyday. Now if I have a meeting out of town, then a suit is what I where. We also have dress down day on Fridays if there are no meetings. If there is a meeting, then it has to be back to business casual, which basically means no jeans on a Friday.

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...and like that I'm gone!!
KL

[snuggles12]

Dressing appropriately for work differs from location to location, industry from industry, business from business.

Up north, I would never wear sandals to work. However, in Florida sandals are acceptable where I work.

My view on how to dress at work, is to dress conservatively until you get a feel of what is appropriate and what is not. Also, most companies have a dress code which states what is not acceptable.

[mccoyred]

Some folks, especially US, confuse business casual with bummy/hoochie/unprofessional.

My prior employer (health insurance) was very conservative. All were required to wear hose (even in 100 degree heat) and men were required to wear ties. The company instituted a business casual during the summer and every friday the rest of the year.

Some of the folks were so off the hook that the company had to publlish pictures (like Glamour's DOs and Don'ts column). Ladies should not wear midriff-baring tops, tanks w/o a jacket, or shorts to the office, regardless of the dress code! Jeans were acceptable as long as there were no holes/rips/writing and white tennis shoes were okay as long as they were clean.

In my current company (phone company), the policy is casual dress all the time but there are still some folks that forget that they are coming to work. The other day, I saw a manager in flip flops and shorts and I just shook my head.

In my old employer's policy and procedures they summed it up well:

If you would wear it to the beach, the gym or to clean your garage, DO NOT WEAR IT TO WORK!!

To answer another part of the original question, yes, we view people based on how they are dressed. The key is to dress appropriately for whatever occaision. Inappropriate dress means poor planning, time management or just poor taste; none of these qualities are professional.

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MCCOYRED
Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

Dynamic...Salient...Temperate...Since 1913

[Poplife]

Good Topic.

Well, I dress professionally when I have an interview. I think it's a little different for me since I try to keep upscale retail jobs. I want my own Fashion Consulting/Personal Shopping business so I learn a lot working in department stores.

In my job now I have noticed that they like you to have your own flair as long as it's not too much. I mean no, backless shirts, tube tops (without a shrug), and supermini skirts. Other than that it's all good.

I once went to work in a 70's print wrap dress, knee high boots, and afro and the General Manager told me I looked cute. *lol*

Now if you want to be a lawyer, government official, CEO, or something huge like that, then yes, you are going to have to be very 'professional.'

Lovely: What about business casual? Some nice slacks and a blouse would look ok.

[Lovely]

Thanks for the advice. However, I know I could never wear jeans to work or even just a pair of pants and a blouse and feel good. I've tried it and I felt horrible. I guess I'll just to have to keep cooking. I feel my best in suits.

[jali0004]

I was just thinking abouth this today...I work for my university, and I see all types. Since I'm a student, I can basically wear anything I want. As for the professionals in my office, I've seen the director wear very casual clothes..like..not even matching (well at least to me!! lastpoetinsite would probably now what I'm talking about!!!).

However, my boss is quite young, and dresses very fashionably and professional. She is definitely "movin' on up", compared to her peers, and subordinates, whom are older, and dress..well..not so professionaly. I think that the way she dreses, helps with her keeping a work attitude.

I have applied for a professional job here in my office, and I was just pondering this question. There's a good chance I'll get the job, (and 6 free credit hours!) and I'm not sure of how to dress, esp. because I am still a student. I think I'll do better with the "dress-wear" when fall comes around, and get more dresses when summer rolls around again...

And, yes, EVERY organization is different. Working for a school is different than working in a "traditional organization".

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"I am not yet the author of my life; I am still it's unenlightened protagonist"
---Unknown

[InquiringMind]

I have 2 jobs--one during the school year and one at home. During the school year, at Foot Locker I have a uniform (shirt, pants, and gym shoes--I love it!!) so I don't really have to worry. During breaks and the summer when I come home, I work in my dad's clothing store. It's a men's store and the merchandise is mostly suits and the like. We cater mostly to professionals and ministers so everyone is dressed professionally. We can wear jeans only on Sundays. Every other day its business casual. For example, today I'm wearing a sleeveless shirt and black dress pants from The Limited and black sandals. I usually wear stuff from The Limited, Lerner, J. Crew, and Banana Republic, so my style is "cute conservative." As for shoes--anything I don't have to wear stockings with (but nothing to flashy)--it's too hot!!!

[ClassyLady]

I work in the sales department of a financial management firm (basically we sell mutual funds and annuities to stock brokers). Our dress code is "business casual" which means something different everywhere you go. Basically, we can wear anything except jeans, sweats and sneaks. Other than that, pretty much everything goes.

But, I tend to dress more conservatively and professionally than the rest of the people in my department. I am the only Black female on the ENTIRE floor who is not an administrative assistant. So, I try not to give anyone any reason to hold me back, including my dress.

Generally, I wear nice slacks, button up shirts, and loafers. Some of the white people in my office come in there looking like they haven't even bathed.

Marie, I totally agree with you. At a professional seminar once, someone told me that you should dress the way your boss' boss dresses.

[HopefulProspective]

Well, I also live in Houston, Texas where it the weather plays a significant part in how we dress. I work for a computer company and it is a casual atmosphere. I usually wear jeans and a summer top. It can get extreemly cold in my office, so I wear a sweater around the building. But you see most people her in very casual clothes.

Since I like winter wear better, I usually dress more business casual in the colder months.

[Marie]

My mother recently told me, "Do not dress for the job that you have. Dress for the job that you hope to obtain." Now I understand that you live in a warm climate, and we don't want you passing out in the streets. However, it might be beneficial to observe the dress of your boss and other high level employees. If you plan to advance from your current position you might want to follow suit with those who have already advanced, since it is those people who you will need to impress. Now I intern at a Stock Exchange, so when I'm on the floor it is perfectly acceptable to wear capris or gym shoes(as that is what the brokers and traders wear) . However, when I'm in the office(w/the Pres. and CEO of the company) I'm professionally dressed. You might want to check out all of the comfortable yet professional business attire that is offered these days. I think you will find that it is very possible to be in professional dress and still not be over heated. Best of luck to ya Girl!
Marie

[This message has been edited by Marie (edited July 31, 2001).]

[Tanzanite]

I am an intern for a National Laboratory...the dress code here is basically no dress code. I ususally wear jeans and a tee shirt everyday with tennis shoes. My boss wears these faded jeans and sometimes he even wears the same shirt two days or three days in a row. Now these people make big money b/c they are scientists. I'm talkin 100,000 + a year.

As someone mentioned earlier it depends on the industry. I work in a laboratory with many chemicals so wearing the business stuff is definitely out. Some of the people hear wear outfits like wifebeaters with bball shorts etc.. It tends to get a bit ridiculous. Now when I was an intern at the State senate in Alabama I dressed in my little business casual wear. It just depends on the job u have and what is acceptable at that particular company.

[MeezDiscreet]

i just wanted to share with you all a something my sister said when i asked her why she dressed up so much to go to her job. she replied, "you dress for the job you want, not the job you have." i thought that was so profound