Dressing up...even if I don't really have to.

[polm]

I'm a 27 year old IT proffesional. I've been working with in the Telecom industry for almost a decade.

I have an office, but I rarely go. I have the luxury of working 25% - 50% of my time from home.

I've always worn jeans and t-shirts, with the occasional knit-shirt + collar thrown in for good measure.

I have absolutely no pressure from management to dress more business-like. No one cares how I look, as long as I get my job done.

But I'm starting to feel a bit juvenile sometimes when I'm strolling in to the office looking like a college kid.

Is it silly to spend money on a more business-appropriate wardrobe? Perhaps more slacks and some button-down shirts. I've got a big IRS refund coming, and I was thinking I could expand my wardrobe.

Perhaps spending 300$ - 500$ at Macy's and/or Bannana Republic?

 

[mb]

Go for it, I love my clothes from Banana.

 

[K1052]

I'd personally be a happy camper if I could dress in jeans and t-shirts/polos for the rest of my life.

 

[FoBoT]

if you are thinking of climbing the ladder in the next few years, then that sounds like a good idea

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Depends how much clothing you get for that $300-500

But generally speaking, no, there's nothing bad about getting some "business casual" attire.

Originally posted by: FoBoT
if you are thinking of climbing the ladder in the next few years, then that sounds like a good idea

Also an excellent reason. You should already have a suit.

- M4H

 

[PricklyPete]

I "dress" up every day for work and wish I didn't have too. There is no doubt though that your dress certainly affects someones first impression of you, and a "classier" look will certainly give most people a better first impression. If that isn't a factor in your job...I wouldn't bother. But if you are a manager, or your ability to get raises hinges very much on peoples perception of you...dressing up might help you along.

In other words, I wouldn't bother unless dressing up will actually help you along in your career.

 

[nweaver]

if by "dressing up" you mean a polo shirt to throw on over the jeans a couple of times a week, and all your older jeans get replaced with newer.

Trust me, don't give this up, this is one of the things that makes a good job great. Could you dress up? maybe, but why. If you are showing up in nasty jeans full of holes and a "buttwiser" tshirt, then yeah, dress up a bit. If it's a clean pair of jeans and a nicer tshirt, nah.

 

[Wapp]

"Dress for the job you want, not the job you have." If you have any ambition and want to stand out I recommend it.

 

[polm]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Depends how much clothing you get for that $300-500

But generally speaking, no, there's nothing bad about getting some "business casual" attire.

- M4H

I'm clueless when it comes to clothes. I could spend 3x that (~1500$) if it's what is required. I guess I would like to, at least, provide outfits for 2 - 3 days a week.

If I'm going to do this...I want to do it right. I would like to get quality, long-lasting, clothes. I want a fairly modern look, as well.

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: PricklyPete
I "dress" up every day for work and wish I didn't have too. There is no doubt though that your dress certainly affects someones first impression of you, and a "classier" look will certainly give most people a better first impression. If that isn't a factor in your job...I wouldn't bother. But if you are a manager, or your ability to get raises hinges very much on peoples perception of you...dressing up might help you along.

In other words, I wouldn't bother unless dressing up will actually help you along in your career.

Seconded. The only times I'm not in jeans & a tshirt is when it's warm enough to wear shorts. I'm 33. The people two levels up from me wear the same thing, so I think I'm ok dressing how I do

 

[TheoPetro]

Im the same way except im 21. I am really sick of jeans and a hoodie or tshirt. It is really hard to find stuff thats professional but still a tad casual. Jeans and a button down + sweater is what I have been doing lately and its been working out. Im thinking polos and button downs for the summer. The only thing with button downs is I hate them if they dont have french cuffs. It is really rare for me to find something that looks good w/o the cuffs. Thats just me though. Good luck and I would advice saving up and getting a whole new wardrobe. This is kind of what I did and it worked MUCH better than buying bits and pieces when I could. If you can muster up ~1k-1.5k you would be set. And when you do go out to blow your thousand make sure you find deals still. Just because you have a grand to piss away if you spend it on 2 pairs of pants its not going to help ya much.

If ya want some help just PM me.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: Wapp
"Dress for the job you want, not the job you have." If you have any ambition and want to stand out I recommend it.

w0w , that sounds like good advice if you have some ambition

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: polm

Perhaps spending 300$ - 500$ at Macy's and/or Bannana Republic?

You wont get much at all and you'll be wasting your money.

Take a fashion savvy friend with you to stores like TJ-Maxx, Ross, etc. and you'll find some incredible discounts on very nice clothes. The trick is you have to find them since everything is thrown together on the same racks. A small inconvenience when you're saving 75% or more.

 

[TheoPetro]

Another tip is to plan out what you want before you go to buy it all. Pick out things on their website and match up outfits for each day. If you go to get pants + a shirt its alot easier

 

[waggy]

I find dockers and a polo shirt far more confterable then t-shirt and jeans.

though i like wearing sweat pants and sweatshirts more. but you really can't wear them in public heh

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: TheoPetro
Another tip is to plan out what you want before you go to buy it all. Pick out things on their website and match up outfits for each day. If you go to get pants + a shirt its alot easier

or do what i do. take my wife or such shopping.

usually i take my sister with me. she is good at picking out styles and such.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I dont have your kinda job but yeah i would agree it couldn't hurt. I mean I in college but I find myself dressing nicer and nicer as I get older. When I wear a polo shirt, or a dress shirt, it not only makes you look better, but you also feel better about yourself. it might sound strange, but I have more confidence, and perhaps think more clearly when I dress well.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: TheoPetro
Another tip is to plan out what you want before you go to buy it all. Pick out things on their website and match up outfits for each day. If you go to get pants + a shirt its alot easier

or do what i do. take my wife or such shopping.

usually i take my sister with me. she is good at picking out styles and such.

I just take the Fab Five.

- M4H

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: polm

Perhaps spending 300$ - 500$ at Macy's and/or Bannana Republic?

You wont get much at all and you'll be wasting your money.

Take a fashion savvy friend with you to stores like TJ-Maxx, Ross, etc. and you'll find some incredible discounts on very nice clothes. The trick is you have to find them since everything is thrown together on the same racks. A small inconvenience when you're saving 75% or more.

women seem to love finding bargains there. i hate going because half the inventory is on the floor, nothing is on the rack that it should be on, good luck finding two matching shoes, kids are screaming, they've got poles or locks on the shopping carts so you can't take them into the parking lot, etc. for the OP: get a female friend who thinks finding a bargain at such store is an adventure to look at the stuff for you.

 

[deerslayer]

Originally posted by: K1052
I'd personally be a happy camper if I could dress in jeans and t-shirts/polos for the rest of my life.

Me too, unfortunately I have to "dress up" for work

 

[SoulAssassin]

Originally posted by: Wapp
"Dress for the job you want, not the job you have." If you have any ambition and want to stand out I recommend it.

Basically what I came here to post. "Act as if...." Act as if you're in the position you want, act as if you're a professional, act as if you have a pair for 300lb balls.

 

[cw42]

I just started working as an IT intern at an ibank and jeans are def out of the question I think even just polos may be a bit too casual... I usually just wear a dress shirt and chinos.

 

[pontifex]

i loathe dressing up, even if its just a polo shirt and a pair of khakis. give me jeans and t-shirts every day. luckily, i can wear just that at my job now.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: polm

Perhaps spending 300$ - 500$ at Macy's and/or Bannana Republic?

You wont get much at all and you'll be wasting your money.

Take a fashion savvy friend with you to stores like TJ-Maxx, Ross, etc. and you'll find some incredible discounts on very nice clothes. The trick is you have to find them since everything is thrown together on the same racks. A small inconvenience when you're saving 75% or more.

women seem to love finding bargains there. i hate going because half the inventory is on the floor, nothing is on the rack that it should be on, good luck finding two matching shoes, kids are screaming, they've got poles or locks on the shopping carts so you can't take them into the parking lot, etc. for the OP: get a female friend who thinks finding a bargain at such store is an adventure to look at the stuff for you.

Oh, I feel the same way. Though my local store is a little neater than yours, apparently.

But the savings are well worth the aggravation. I'm a bit of a tightwad. I see no point in paying full price for anything if I don't have to.

 

[Jawo]

Originally posted by: Wapp
"Dress for the job you want, not the job you have." If you have any ambition and want to stand out I recommend it.

That's what I do, in fact I have gotten a few comments that I'm over dressed. I tend to wear a button down shirt and dark dockers M-T then light dockers on Friday. I had an professor who wore a shirt and tie everyday to make up for the fact that he was way younger than most of his collegues.