[Closed] Wearing a suit to work, WHY.

DISCUSS NICELY PLEASE.

Oh dear. You really haven't got the hang of this, have you? 😉

We are suited and booted when we're out meeting clients, but when in the office its a shirt and trousers (apart from dress down Friday).

Personally, I feel more professional when in the whistle & flute

Because people respect a suit, rightly or wrongly. It's a uniform.

I used to work in all sorts of companies with directors, sometimes in jeans, sometimes in suits. The difference in the way people treated me was noticeable.

our vice chancellor is on record saying academics shouldn't be wearing jeans and t-shirts. oh how we laughed.

The scruffiest people in my place seem to be the ones that wear suits.
One bloke wears a suit every day (same suit too, I think) and he looks a right mess - white flakes and fluff all over the shoulders like he's had the dregs of a cornflakes packet tipped over him.
Still, it is an IT department.

Annoying isn't it.
I'm meant to be suited and booted. However my job takes me onto building site, up silos with a harness fitted, down mine shafts, into quarries, farms, lofts, farmers fields and recently helping to drag over two tons of armoured cable under the foundations of Whipps Cross hospital in the pitch black.
Not practical really.

Because people respect a suit, rightly or wrongly

There was a vaguely interesting study done which showed that people were more likely to follow someone crossing a pedestrian red light if they were wearing a suit.

Many years ago (about 20) our CEO sent a memo (paper thing used before emails) complaining that some men were rolling up their sleeves. This was in a modern, very high tech Cambridge company.

Always wear shirt and tie at least for office work, getting suited up seems to help get me in the right frame of mind. Definitely influences how lots of people interact with you.

There was a vaguely interesting study done which showed that people were more likely to follow someone crossing a pedestrian red light if they were wearing a suit.

People moved towards the suited dude and away from the (pickpocket) hoodie wearer.

You also get much better service in shops if you're wearing a suit, noticable especially if you're trying to return things that they really shouldn't accept etc.

We've had various professors wearing various outfits. One guy has been known to wear board shorts whilst teaching, another constantly wears sandals and socks with slacks and nice shirts. Another wears jeans and jumpers, another wears smart trousers and shirts. I really don't care. The ones who are good at teaching get respect.

You also get much better service in shops if you're wearing a suit, noticable especially if you're trying to return things that they really shouldn't accept etc.

Haven't had to wear shirt & tie for a few years now - New Director arrived with a preference for a more relaxed attitude towards work related clothing . Director left, but relaxed nature still remains( I.T.)

P.S. - Oldgit - You're occupation sounds interesting !

Chris

I work at home and always feel I'm ahead of the game if I've got dressed before I sit down to work.

Doing work related, audio, Skype calls in a dressign gown and slippers feels a tad casual.

The scruffiest people in my place seem to be the ones that wear suits.

Which is perhaps where suits make sense. If you can't dress yourself you'll look better (from your employers point of view) badly dressed in a suit than badly dressed in something else of your own ill-informed choosing.

Thats no help for me though, I don't own a suit

SnS just electrical wholesaler, but specialist areas, Hazardous mainly.

I think having to wear a suit all the time is stupid, as is even a shirt and smart trousers. At this place (a bank) all the blokes are in shirts and smart trousers, but the women get far more leeway. Some are even in jeans. It's all a bit stupid really. But there you go, that's society for you.

WHY AND DISCUSS NICELY PLEASE.

Because we're not complete jakes and we take pride in our appearance???

Suits are for going to court in.

If you can't dress yourself you'll look better (from your employers point of view) badly dressed in a suit than badly dressed in something else of your own ill-informed choosing.

Never worn a suit for work (or interviews or meetings - decent jeans and a smart shirt and shoes are fine). I do envy the City types with the cash for a wardrobe of bespoke Savile Row suits. I'd wear a suit then.

I haven't owned a suit in years. I tend to buy decent looking jackets and pair them up with smart trousers when attending meetings. I very rarely wear a tie these days apart from when attending meetings with certain clients or when hosting workshops.

I'd rather spend my money on decent shirts than on ties and in the industry I work in (recycling) very few people are impressed by a suit.

the industry I work in (recycling) very few people are impressed by a suit.

s'funny. I was at a presentation a few weeks back - the launch of a new compact pyrolysis plant. Everyone there was in at least a jacket and tie.

Regardless of what anyone says - first impressions count. A suit does imply professionalism and a certain set of standards - when worn properly of course.
We don't have a dress code where I work, but we still have a dress down Friday attitude. I won't have meetings with people outside our organization on a Friday - too many of my colleagues would shame me with their scruffiness.

Suits are to bosses as magnolia is to property sellers: a reliable benchmark for minimum presentability. Both look crap when dirtied, too.

I get bigger facilities and more attractive women when I'm wearing a flatteringly cut, well fitting suit. As this is all that is important in my life, yadda yadda yadda.

Try getting a nice suit, wear it and see what happens.

project - Member

Also schools seem to want the children to wear a uniform yet the teachers wear what they like surely they should all wear a corporate uniform, same as the children.

I've taught guitar in numerous schools for the last 7 years and every single school that I've worked in, both primary and secondary, have required all male classroom teachers to wear a suit. I too wear a suit everyday for work-it give a smart and professional appearance imo.

I too wonder about the drive to enforce conformity using uniforms and workwear. Though I do draw the line at 3/4 length cargo pants, chav sportswear, leggings, and crocs/flip-flops.

I am sat here typing this wearing an Animal tshirt Alpkit baggy jeans and Nike 6.0s I have a mainly desk based job but am often out in our washplant so a suit would easily get ruined.

When having meeting with customers/potential customers I wear shirt trousers and shoes but when suppliers come here I might wear a casual shirt if I remember they are coming. I appretiate that first impressions count and would expect one of my suppliers to come to (at least a first) a meeting in a shirt.

I teach in a private school and dress code for men is shirt and tie. A little OTT maybe but it does make it easier to enforce uniform rules when wearing a tie yourself. I don't mind it and I feel better when I meet the parents dressed smarter. The school is in an affluent area so the parents dress smart (or at least expensively).
On the point of uniform, I think it's good at levelling the playing field when it comes to being singled out for being poor/different. Not everyone can afford or wants to wear the latest fashions so grey slacks and black shoes for everyone takes the pressure off there. It's a lot more manageable when you only have 999,999 things to cause conflict.

I'm forced to wear a tie for work. Gives the company a backwards and old fashioned image IMHO.

I got bollocked on the first day for not wearing one (had smart shirt, jacket, trousers on) so asked if there was going to be a wedding that day.

On the point of uniform, I think it's good at levelling the playing field when it comes to being singled out for being poor/different

As if the kids don't know who has a poor family and who doesn't?

On the point of uniform, I think it's good at levelling the playing field when it comes to being singled out for being poor/different. Not everyone can afford or wants to wear the latest fashions so grey slacks and black shoes for everyone takes the pressure off there. It's a lot more manageable when you only have 999,999 things to cause conflict.

The effort to look smart is small compared to the favourable difference in how people perceive you. It's a very economical way of coming across better to people you want something from, beit your clients' money or pupils' parents' trust.

The negatives are sometimes there though - I've heared people say techies who dress smart are making up for their lack of technical ability. I prefer to think they're more the complete package.

And don't forget the cost of uniforms, often available from one supplier at a fixed price, stresses those families who are already hard-pressed

I teach in a private school

On the point of uniform, I think it's good at levelling the playing field when it comes to being singled out for being poor/different.

As if the kids don't know who has a poor family and who doesn't?

True, but at least they're not going to get stick for not having the right trainers/brands on top of whatever else they may get. It's not much, granted, but it is something.

It's not just how other people see you, I feel more confident in a suit.
Confidence helps at work.

And don't forget the cost of uniforms, often available from one supplier at a fixed price, stresses those families who are already hard-pressed

Damn uniform cartels. [url= http://www.leeds.gov.uk/Advice_and_benefits/Benefits/free_school_meals.aspx ]Allowance[/url] is available from local authorities to cover uniform. £30 for a year 11 pupil in Leeds if you have an income less than ~£16k.

As if the kids don't know who has a poor family and who doesn't?

don simon - Member
I teach in a private school

On the point of uniform, I think it's good at levelling the playing field when it comes to being singled out for being poor/different.

You'd be surprised how many families bust a gut to pay school fees beyond their means. Just because they're in the same school doesn't mean they're all the same. I mean, some of them can't even afford to go on ski week...

And don't forget the cost of uniforms, often available from one supplier at a fixed price, stresses those families who are already hard-pressed

Nah, uniform you wear every day at school. Much less than the multiple sets of the latest clothes you'd need.

Though I do agree using one supplier is a bit mean. We had purple jumpers at school sourced from one shop. Thankfully the new incoming head decided navy was okay instead and didn't have to be from one maker which helped.

'Tis funny, this type of 'why suits' thread comes up now and then, normally from someone who refuses to bend down to the sheeple when they go to their job interviews. Normally ends with "and I never got the job, can't work out why...."

True, but at least they're not going to get stick for not having the right trainers/brands on top of whatever else they may get. It's not much, granted, but it is something.

This is maybe true at primary age but not at high school. My high school had a strict uniform policy but you still had brand snobbery. Trousers had to be from at least Next or you were a mink. To be cool they had to be from Prada, Boss or YSL. Same with shirts and jumpers. And jackets? It was during the Britpop era so you better have a Berghaus cagoule!

Then there's PE kit!

I mean, some of them can't even afford to go on ski week...

Another issues is that women can wear whatever they want. We have a dress code at work (civil service), and a colleague of mine was questioned as to why he was wearing sandals. The dress code "officer" was a woman who herself was wearing sandals...

Bless their polyester socks.

Calcetines, don, calcetines. Son oiks españoles. 😆

Pobrecitos. 😥

The dress code "officer" was a woman who herself was wearing sandals...

Ah yes, our female boss sent round a missive saying all men should be wearing shirts and trousers in the office whilst she herself was wearing a denim skirt and t-shirt. Sigh. It didn't take many seconds before the abuse started towards her...

I work in the law, and most of our clients dress smartly and expect their lawyers to look the same.

So, as far as meetings go, I wouldn't even dream of turning up without a tie, nevermind anything other than a suit.

I do take slight issue with having to sit in the office for 12 hours at a time wearing a suit when I have no meetings, and the female lawyer next to me is dressed far more casually.

(good) suits are expensive to buy and get trashed when sitting around the office in them all day. Just seems a bit pointless.

That said, I LOVE wearing a suit. I think it's often harder for a guy to pick something appropriate to wear that isn't a suit. Suits can be casually smart, dapper, business smart, trendy, laid back. You only need a handful of suits, shirts and ties to have a pretty versatile wardrobe.

If i'm not in a suit of some description, I'm wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Keeps it nice and simple.

I choose not to wear a suit. I'm a lawyer.

Actually, I must buy myself a new one - never know when one needs to attend a job interview..!

i love it when the 'IT professionals' get involved and quite rightly state that a suit has no place in their business as they are required to crawl around under desks and the like.

I dont make the cleaner crawl around on the floor and i doubt he refers to himself as a 'hygiene professional'

I actually don't mind the hypocrisy in the disparity of the male/ female dress code. So long as it's recognised.

I choose not to wear a suit. I'm a lawyer.

I thought you were inhouse though?

You know you'd never get away with that in PP 😉

[b](good) suits are expensive to buy[/b] and get trashed when sitting around the office in them all day.

*looks down at current wardrobe of Vans, Craghoppers and Berghaus (complete with dog hair)*

*looks up at IT-centric office*

Nope, no sign of a suit here. Mind you, I do wear things like that to weddings. And funerals. And if I am going somewhere smart. That's about it.

a decent suit must be worth at least £100/hr on top of fees to a PP lawyer?
your tie makes you look like a cowboy, are you wearing cuban heels?

Suits are for court.... I'd have been told off and or sent into the cells if i'd not worn one today but now i'm out of court i'm back in jeans and a howies hoodie with a chain ring stain on the front.

a decent suit must be worth at least £100/hr on top of fees to a PP lawyer?
your tie makes you look like a cowboy, are you wearing cuban heels?

Nah, it's just standard practise and good manners to look smart when someone paying you a lot of money comes to talk to you.

I am a cowboy, my clients tell me this all the time.

IME the more important the work I've done, the less need there was to wear a suit. The worst people I've ever worked for were the most likely to expect staff to wear suits.

IME the more important the work I've done, the less need there was to wear a suit.

[i]Seems as if a lot of companies are forceing staff to wear a suit and shirt and tie, along with shoes, as opposed to t shirt, jeans and trainers as i wear to work.[/i]

I'm guessing you are in your 20's, or maybe early 30's?

When I started in IT we (men) wore a suit/shirt/tie, and that was working inside a computer room - never seeing anyone else all day.

tbh Even now I always wear a suit and collared long-sleeve shirt (the tie went a couple of years ago), even on the casual Fridays that most now seem to have - and I find it very hard to take anyone senior who wears a t-shirt serious... Must be my age.

I am a cowboy, my clients tell me this all the time.

especially when you expense your Ozwald Boateng suit

Trendy suits in an office are fine IMO, I wear a suit without a tie unless I feel like it, then it's something endearing.

I like suits, no let me clarify.. I like nice cut trendy suits.

I don't like the cheap shite that most wear.

Corporate uniforms are hidious too.

Interesting. I'm a 50 year old GP.

What would you... or your mum expect me to wear?

I stopped wearing ties about 5 years ago.
I didn't wear a suit for 18 years, but recently restarted when M&S were knocking 25% off the price and I had to buy some new trousers and the jackets came almost free. So now suits and smart shoes but no tie... But jacket off in work.
Normally it would have been blazer/jacket (linen or tweed) and smart trousers.
Brogues or boots in winter, Deck shoes in summer.
Once came in wearing no socks and an old lady pointedly offered to buy me some...

Part of what I can achieve by reassurance and the placebo effect of seeing me depends on how people view my knowledge and authority. Tricky.

What would you want your GP to wear?

GP - tweeds and a pipe surely 🙂

Its a peculiar outdated thing the suit and slowly dying.

TJ - I thought you'd been banned!

Its a peculiar outdated thing the suit and slowly dying.

What would you want your GP to wear?

I saw this German movie once...

s'funny. I was at a presentation a few weeks back - the launch of a new compact pyrolysis plant. Everyone there was in at least a jacket and tie

Ah well a pyrolysis plant is at the more interesting and expensive end of the recycling industry. My clients are usually owners of knackered and muddy transfer stations and tend to have a fondness for wearing company branded polo shirts stretched over beer guts. Ties and picking line conveyors also aren't a good mix!

I don't know how you got this from either this thread or the Mad Men / Board Walk Empire fuelled menswear resurgence in popular culture. Maybe you mean ties.

No, it's a FACT. TJ hath spaken, and lo it was made FACT.

I bought three new suits this year. Which was nice.

I thought you were inhouse though?

Volkswagen Golfs are more expensive than the equivalent Mazda or Toyota. But they are also more likely to leave you stranded at the side of the road.

I know how I'd rather judge a book.

I know how I'd rather judge a book.

It's OK, you're both Core Business (TM)

F-- Off..! I'm [b]business core (gold edition)[/b].

i sense a synergy coming on...

I bought three new suits this year. Which was nice.

😆 No, sorry, meant in the last twelve months!

GP's should wear Lab Coat surely?

And a stethoscope.

And glasses teetering on the end of ones nose.

A beard.

Sport wild hair.

A Cravat made of silk.

A 6" thermometer dangling from the top left pocket of said Lab Coat.

One of those chinese face masks.

Green (hunter) wellies.

and..

A toothless smile.

Our place used to be suit trousers/shirt/tie and I hated having to wear a tie - totally pointless piece of crap I'm sure in the future they'll laugh at the fact people used to wear them. We then got acquired by a Canadian company and I found their dress-code policy that allowed polo shirts/smart trousers so that's what I started wearing (much to the annoyance of the local HR department).
This year I'm actually going back to wearing a shirt/suit trousers as I do stand out as a bit of a scruff and it's not great that people who report to me look smarter :p I'll only ever wear a tie to client meetings and funerals though.

Very simple really - if you need to ask the question (in the OP) you don't need to wear a suit. 😉

I only wear a suit when meeting important clients, (managemnt level meetings) on site for weekly meetings with oily rags I wear shirt and trousers.
In the office it is much the same, short sleeved shirt and trousers/coloured jeans.
I gave up wearing good stuff ages ago as I tend to spend a lot of time climbing on plant, or on and off warships.

The university I work for has no dress code. A bloke in my office wears a suit through choice. Perfectly acceptable. But then the bellend has his own dress down Friday....

I feel more confident in a suit.

Seriously? You need to put on particular clothes in order to feel more confident? 😯

Wow.

I know some folk on here are properly insecure, but Jeeze....

Suits are for court

😀

I wear suits but without a tie, I also wear trousers with a shirt and nice v neck jumper, if I work weekends then I wear jeans, what suprized me when i was at a product launch and a number of my German counterparts mentioned they go to work in jeans but wear suits for functions...they strangely didn't have mullet haircuts, must of caught up their fashion sense 😀

Part of what I can achieve by reassurance and the placebo effect of seeing me depends on how people view my knowledge and authority. Tricky.

What would you want your GP to wear?

One of my freinds is a GP, and sometimes when i go round he is in his Dr suit, and looks very profesional, and on his days of, open neck shirt and jeans.

Strangely when he is a suit, i call him DR, when in jeans its his first name.

Recently was at his house and a delivery arrived, the chap needed a signiture,he asked are you Dr.........., i said no so i shouted .........., who appeared in paint coated warehouse coat, the chap refused to hand over the package until DR, showed his id card.