So I got a job (and I need clothing help)

T_Yamamoto

Lifer
Jul 6, 2011
15,007
795
126
First off, they said business casual but I literally saw people walking around the office ranging from button down + khakis to a tee shirt.

Gonna go to the outlet mall this weekend to pick up more stuff but JCPenny got a sweet deal going on right now.

Right now in my cart, 2 polos (not sure if they'll consider it business casual but they're 10.14 and 13.99), 2 khakis, 1 cardigan, 1 quarter zip, and 1 puffer jacket, for a grand total of $136.

Contemplating whether or not I should just pull the trigger on this since the deal is only good till tomorrow. I can always just return stuff at the store so I wouldn't be losing anything since I could just return it.

They don't have a good selection of button down shirts (I own 2-3 already but they're all literally blue and I haven't checked the sizing on them but it was probably when I was larger, I've slimmed down a lot the past couple of years) so I'll probably look for some when I go this weekend as well as another pair of shoes (I own a pair of desert boots, which are business casual?)

Anything else I'm missing, first day isn't for another week.

Edit: Coupon code for additional savings expired and I changed some things around: 2 long sleeve button down @37.50 each, quarter zip @ 28, 2 polos @10.14 and 13.99, 2 khakis @ 20.99 and 21.00, 1 puffer jacket @27.99 for a total of 211.39 (saved 261.89 off MSRP)

Also copped a fleece jacket thing for like 18 bucks off some coupon thing I found on reddit.
 
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IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
70,165
28,814
136
Congratulations!

Edit: Wear pants.


Shoes are tricky. Where I work I can usually wear clean, not too worn, tennis shoes but my fair city is also a haven of sloppy dressers.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
57,957
8,204
126
Can't go wrong with BDUs and combat boots. Get a boonie hat to reduce flourescent glare, and you might want a pistol belt with some magazine pouches to put your stuff in, and a canteen. You can't be your best if you're dehydrated.
 

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
70,165
28,814
136
Can't go wrong with BDUs and combat boots. Get a boonie hat to reduce flourescent glare, and you might want a pistol belt with some magazine pouches to put your stuff in, and a canteen. You can't be your best if you're dehydrated.
I wear BDU pants every day but I think one has to be established first. I used to carry a cloth grocery bag for my stuff. It bothered my boss so much he bought me a brief case. That was twenty years and three jobs ago. I still use the same brief case.
 

T_Yamamoto

Lifer
Jul 6, 2011
15,007
795
126
Congratulations!

Edit: Wear pants.


Shoes are tricky. Where I work I can usually wear clean, not too worn, tennis shoes but my fair city is also a haven of sloppy dressers.
Thanks, I'll probably try to get loafers or something.
Can't go wrong with BDUs and combat boots. Get a boonie hat to reduce flourescent glare, and you might want a pistol belt with some magazine pouches to put your stuff in, and a canteen. You can't be your best if you're dehydrated.
I need to assert my dominance so I shall dress in all camo.
 

FirNaTine

Senior member
Jun 6, 2005
637
182
116
First off, they said business casual but I literally saw people walking around the office ranging from button down + khakis to a tee shirt.

Gonna go to the outlet mall this weekend to pick up more stuff but JCPenny got a sweet deal going on right now.

Right now in my cart, 2 polos (not sure if they'll consider it business casual but they're 10.14 and 13.99), 2 khakis, 1 cardigan, 1 quarter zip, and 1 puffer jacket, for a grand total of $136.

Contemplating whether or not I should just pull the trigger on this since the deal is only good till tomorrow. I can always just return stuff at the store so I wouldn't be losing anything since I could just return it.

They don't have a good selection of button down shirts (I own 2-3 already but they're all literally blue and I haven't checked the sizing on them but it was probably when I was larger, I've slimmed down a lot the past couple of years) so I'll probably look for some when I go this weekend as well as another pair of shoes (I own a pair of desert boots, which are business casual?)

Anything else I'm missing, first day isn't for another week.

Did you meet your direct supervisor while interviewing or were you introduced to any close teammates, etc while interviewing? I'd key off of them for where to fall in the "business casual" polo/button up world until you get your own feel Depending on different job roles, more or less leeway may be given, so some of the folks you saw walking around might be in a different scenario. I'd do my best to present a professional, but not overdone appearance.

Good luck, relax and let your work speak for you.
 

T_Yamamoto

Lifer
Jul 6, 2011
15,007
795
126
Make sure it's desert. Woods screams red neck.
Oh desert camo, eh.
Did you meet your direct supervisor while interviewing or were you introduced to any close teammates, etc while interviewing? I'd key off of them for where to fall in the "business casual" polo/button up world until you get your own feel Depending on different job roles, more or less leeway may be given, so some of the folks you saw walking around might be in a different scenario. I'd do my best to present a professional, but not overdone appearance.

Good luck, relax and let your work speak for you.
Direct supervisor was a woman so I can't really base it off that. I haven't met anyone else on the team since it's a temp to perm position (we get to choose a project to work on).

I'll play safe the first week or so since we'd probably be deciding what project we'll be working on during that time and I'll be able to examine others.
 
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FirNaTine

Senior member
Jun 6, 2005
637
182
116
Oh desert camo, eh.

Direct supervisor was a woman so I can't really base it off that. I haven't met anyone else on the team since it's a temp to perm position (we get to choose a project to work on).

I'll play safe the first week or so since we'd probably be deciding what project we'll be working on during that time and I'll be able to examine others.

Umm, you could try dressing like her. Take pics and post if you do though. Networking thread for the unemployed would probably be a good spot..
 

snoopy7548

Diamond Member
Jan 1, 2005
8,122
5,144
146
For the first day I would just wear khakis and a tucked-in polo or button-down shirt with dress shoes. See what most others wear and tone it down/up appropriately, mostly depending on whether you interact with customers or sit at a desk all day.

If your first day is Halloween, definitely show up in a costume or you'll probably be fired for not being one of the team.
 

FirNaTine

Senior member
Jun 6, 2005
637
182
116
For the first day I would just wear khakis and a tucked-in polo or button-down shirt with dress shoes. See what most others wear and tone it down/up appropriately, mostly depending on whether you interact with customers or sit at a desk all day.

If your first day is Halloween, definitely show up in a costume or you'll probably be fired for not being one of the team.

Definitely good catch on Halloween. And don't forget Toga Tuesdays
 

T_Yamamoto

Lifer
Jul 6, 2011
15,007
795
126
Umm, you could try dressing like her. Take pics and post if you do though. Networking thread for the unemployed would probably be a good spot..
something something identify as a helicopter something something
For the first day I would just wear khakis and a tucked-in polo or button-down shirt with dress shoes. See what most others wear and tone it down/up appropriately, mostly depending on whether you interact with customers or sit at a desk all day.

If your first day is Halloween, definitely show up in a costume or you'll probably be fired for not being one of the team.
First day is 1st week of Nov so I missed the chance :(
 

snoopy7548

Diamond Member
Jan 1, 2005
8,122
5,144
146
something something identify as a helicopter something something

First day is 1st week of Nov so I missed the chance :(

Doesn't matter - show up in a costume anyways. Just tell them you dress like that all the time, except for interviews and funerals.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
68,413
12,593
126
www.anyf.ca
Khakis + golf shirt is probably safe, and more comfortable than button down. Over the days as you work there try to notice what others wear and dress down if you see that you can. But for first impressions it's best to overdress than to underdress.

I consider myself fairly lucky, my job is super laid back as far as dress code goes. Can even wear shorts and tshirt in summer. Rest of year it's jeans and tshirt.
 

T_Yamamoto

Lifer
Jul 6, 2011
15,007
795
126
Khakis + golf shirt is probably safe, and more comfortable than button down. Over the days as you work there try to notice what others wear and dress down if you see that you can. But for first impressions it's best to overdress than to underdress.

I consider myself fairly lucky, my job is super laid back as far as dress code goes. Can even wear shorts and tshirt in summer. Rest of year it's jeans and tshirt.
Yeah, that's the plan (khakis + button down + jacket since it's starting to get cold).

Oh man, I'm gonna spend so much money on clothes since I've lost a lot of weight and gotten more "fashionable" (aka slowly switching from large baggy clothing to more slimmer stuff, like switching from getting an L shirt to an M shirt)
 

GagHalfrunt

Lifer
Apr 19, 2001
25,284
1,996
126
For the first day I would just wear khakis and a tucked-in polo or button-down shirt with dress shoes. See what most others wear and tone it down/up appropriately, mostly depending on whether you interact with customers or sit at a desk all day.

I'd skip the polo and go only button down for the first week. You want to over-dress, not under-dress and better to be safe until you get the lay of the land. Just because you see people in tees or polos does not mean it's okay. They could be interns, workers at a different level or lowly-regarded fuckups who have one foot out the door already and don't know it. Once you get to know your boss and co-workers in your position and salary level you can copy their style. Until then shoot for the top end of the scale and adjust down later on if necessary.

Well-pressed khakis with a belt, a button down shirt tucked in, dress shoes to start.
 

T_Yamamoto

Lifer
Jul 6, 2011
15,007
795
126
pics of supervisor?
uh no
I'd skip the polo and go only button down for the first week. You want to over-dress, not under-dress and better to be safe until you get the lay of the land. Just because you see people in tees or polos does not mean it's okay. They could be interns, workers at a different level or lowly-regarded fuckups who have one foot out the door already and don't know it. Once you get to know your boss and co-workers in your position and salary level you can copy their style. Until then shoot for the top end of the scale and adjust down later on if necessary.

Well-pressed khakis with a belt, a button down shirt tucked in, dress shoes to start.
I'm going to pick up a pair of loafers or derby shoes since my dress shoe collection consist of desert boots (which sorta count) and my black dress shoes (what I pair with my suit)
 

Zeze

Lifer
Mar 4, 2011
11,395
1,180
126
Congrats bud!

Business casual is a fluid term which is why you're asking duh.

For Finance sector, it's a full suit without a tie.
Everywhere else for typical companies (ad, marketing, accounting, IT, etc). below is it. A non-avant-garde style dress shirt, belt, khakis/dress pants, and dress shoes.

It's always better to overdress than under. So do this.

4ce8ce1a9a898766650299811e6f85e6.jpg


I wouldn't wear purple on the first day, or whatever, go for it. It's 2018. You wear pink like you own it, who's gonna give you crap?

This pic is so middle of the road you'd fit in almost everywhere that requires 'business casual'.
 
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Carson Dyle

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2012
8,173
524
126
I'd skip the polo and go only button down for the first week. You want to over-dress, not under-dress and better to be safe until you get the lay of the land.

This is the best advice, although the notion that wearing a pair of khakis and a shirt with buttons as being "overdressed" is almost comical. It's true, but still funny.

Don't go out and buy a closet full of anything until you figure out whether you can regularly show up wearing gym shorts, flip flops and a somewhat clean t-shirt. Two or three pairs of khakis, a few (long sleeve) buttoned shirts. One pair of casual leather shoes that could be worn with both khakis and jeans. That will get you through the first couple of weeks. Jackets and coats, doesn't matter at all.