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© 2010 Administrative Sparkle Blog
Each day I am inspired. There are moments, people, questions that challenge, or suggestions that stick out in my mind at the end of the day. That is why I love writing after a busy day, to share those inspirations.
Has the suit really gone away? In the late 80s and early 90s when the internet was a big development in creating websites and large masses of wealth regardless of the return on investment at the time, it became cool to dress down (as it is now called “business casual”). When the big “bust” came and many of the ventures started falling fast and hard, I remember Google survived, the suit did not necessarily return. Except for the job interviews that many were faced with.
Today as I was waiting for the elevator for my next destination, a gentleman appeared, impeccably dressed in a beautiful navy suit, crisp white shirt, and tie. He was also immaculately groomed, pleasant demeanor, and great smile. I say this last part because those are a man and woman’s best accessories. Very polished and attention to details.
Am I the only one who misses this? I love the suit and would appreciate seeing the return. Today we see flip-flops (remember when they were referred to as “shower shoes?”), women no longer wear hose (stockings), and panty lines (this can be resolved with hose). Taste and style never go out of fashion. However, it can make a person out of place in the office that no longer require a “business” dress code. There are many places that really don’t even have a formal dress code in place.
In the introduction to Dress Smart Women, by Chic Simple:
To paraphrase John T. Molloy—people do judge a book by its cover. Right or wrong, it’s the real world. Dressing appropriately in today’s workplace is essential. Your clothes are the first impression you make whether on a job interview, representing your firm to a new client, or making a presentation within your company. Botton line: You should always dress for the job you want, and for your professional goals.
A suggested must watch would be Mad Men. For the appreciation of style of course, as martini lunches and behaviors toward women in the workplace are not appropriate. In some ways we have evolved; in others, not so much. The suit garners respect. It does make an impression.
Would love to get your feedback and thoughts on “the suit” and have added a “survey” in the blog.
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I agree that items such as flip-flops should never be worn in an office environment (as I write this, I hear someone leaving an interview "flip-flopping" down the hall), but I don't think that suits should be mandatory. While I absolutely love the polished, put together look of suits, I've never been able to make them work for me and find them to restrict my body movement. And let me say this: I hate pantyhose! They are itchy, uncomfortable, constantly get tears and make using the restroom a pain. I consider myself extremely fortunate that I am not required to wear them at work.
The rise of business casual wear is related to (in my opinion at least) to the "warming up" of corporate culture (result of Gen-Ys?). People expect more from their employers than a paycheck; they expect to enjoy their work, to be acknowledged as human beings, etc. A formal suit seems to give the impression of stiffness and anonymity – work here and you'll become indistinguishable from us other suits. Of course, I'm exaggerating here but hopefullly my point remains. I think people like to see colleagues and superiors who are "real people", who dress like me and talk like me (to a certain extent), which leads to a more casual corporate culture.
It's interesting to me that business casual is becoming the norm rather than the exception, yet suits are almost required for interviews. If someone doesn't wear a suit for an interview, it looks like they're not trying or they don't care. That's what I thought about the woman who just walked down the hall wearning flip-flops. She can't put forth the effort to dress nicely for an interview, she's not going to put forth the effort to meet the organization's mission.
Interesting topic for sure.
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I love to "dress up" for work. I always wear pantyhose, even in the summer. Yes, they can be a pain, but they make you look well groomed and finished.
I wish I could find a couple of good suits. I'm a plus size, and they are VERY hard to find. Even separates are difficult. The stores seem to want to cater to the casual, stretch pants, flowered t-shirts, capri pant set.
Dresses are my favorite, when I can find them. I'm also 5'2" and most dresses touch the floor. However, I have found a few catalogs that have dresses I can wear.
"Casual Friday" does not mean sloppy. If I wear jeans, they are nice ones with a nice top or shirt/jacket and nice shoes.
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Great input. I can see how suits can cause the perception of mandating a sort of uniform and it can divide people into different classes to a certain extent. Ultimately, as what was expressed in the comments here, that it would be nice to see professionals take pride in their appearance. Just because there is no "dress code" doesn't mean we shouldn't care. Some industries are much more style oriented, such as fashion and it goes with the territory. Others require bending, reaching, filing, errands, and would be suggested to wear clothing that accommodates that.
Must admit, a well put together suit always catches my attention and respect.
Smiles,
Layne
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Wearing more "formal" wear to work may create the stiffness and uniformity, but it also may help foster a more productive environment. I have worked in small and large companies where there were dress codes. I saw people wear capri's and a cotton shirt (basically a t-shirt) that "technically" fit the dress code, but gave no professionalism to the person. The more relaxed the environment, the easier it can be to slack off with work, which I had also seen there. I am not saying that only those who wear suits work hard, but as stated with the woman wearing flip-flops for the interview previously posted, if someone can't step it up for the initial interview, how do we know they will measure up to the work load that will be expected of them? I, too, still wear pantyhose (in summer, too) because of the overall professionalism I feel I present being dressed in such a way. There has been a blending between work and play that has crossed a little too far it seems.
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It really doesn't matter what your position is in the company, mailroom, assistant, director you will garner more respect and less trash talk if you are appropriately dressed for work. I did my own survey, for a month I wore casual clothing, nicely pressed and clean with accessories. The next month I wore suits, heels and pantyhouse with accesories. I could immediately feel the difference in how I was being perceived. When I was casual people felt they could say anything to me even disrespectful jokes. But when I was dressed in a suit I was perceived more professionally and treated that way. Maybe it wasn't the clothes maybe it was how I felt in the clothes and carried myself differently in a suit. But which ever it was I think it was the suit. Eventho my boss wore his dockers and golf shirt he still treated me differently. Try it and see if you feel a difference.
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I agree that suits look nice and garner a degree of respect. I also agree that sloppy dressing and flip-flops should not be allowed, ever. It seems some company's are trying to find ways to accommodate younger generations by allowing them to dress sloppy rather than setting a standard that these workers should acclimate to.
That said, however, a company's leadership and field sets the tone. In an internet company or one that doesn't have much face time with clients, dressing down is the norm. Financial services, law firms, and "Mad Men" advertising/PR firms, etc. probably find that the professional suit is what works for them.
In my office, we have a written dress code of business casual, however, when we entertain important clients, we put forth a more traditionally polished image, which typically means suits.
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Thank you,
very interesting article
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