Dress Code - Part 2

I like this amusing article from Wayne Turmel (of Cranky MM Fame) post on Management Issues called, Wearing my Big Boy Clothes. Here's a snippet:

This change of heart is somewhat disturbing for a couple of reasons. First, I've always thought of myself as something of a rebel, and the coat and tie are perceived as a universal symbol of corporate enthrallment- who needs a reminder that I'm working for someone else?

Secondly, I've always maintained I'm the same person whether I'm dressed up or not. It turns out neither are necessarily true.

I did a post that said basically the opposite - sort of - a few days ago. The posts come from different perspectives - Wayne's is from the viewpoint of a person wanting to be perceived well. My post discussed the HR implications of dress codes. Wayne's is speaking for himself here - as a consultant and leader in a services firm. I agree that when I wear my charcoal gray suit I get a different reaction then when I wear biz casual.

It's also a very east coast and European perspective.

For all you managers out there, I would still encourage a dressing down of the workplace. Let people be comfortable. Create a culture where thoughts, not labels, impress.

I may be sounding like an idealist here (ala world peace and we are all one people) but I think that things will never change unless we change them.

Instead of casual Friday, let's dress casual all the time and have the option to dress up on Friday. Ties then Mai Tais. What do you think?

This post has not been brought to you by the Men's Warehouse. :-)

Comments

[Wayne Turmel]

Alas, could it be true- after all these years we have reached a parting???? I can't believe the reaction my little article has raised (I actually got sent a free Hawaiian shirt as inspiration to lighten up. I think I'll do my next article on drinking really good tequila...). I suppose this argument will go on for a while, but in my defense, you yourself pointed out that would require a culture where thoughts, not labels, impress.

How's that working for ya? Frankly, I need all the credibility help i can get.

Keep up the good work, lady.

[Lisa Haneberg]

Wayne - "How's that working for ya?" Oh, don't throw a Dr. Phil out on me. We hear all the crud on the news about how the health care lobbyists have all our politicians in their pockets. Well, maybe this is the same thing. Perhaps the suit manufacturers are paying lawyers and accountants and money hungry MBA grads to wear suits and perpetuate the myth that the suit makes the man (or woman).

Out here in "wool socks with Birkenstocks" land, we see things just a little different. You should come and visit sometime. Leave the red striped power tie at home.

[Pat]

Lisa - Have you noticed gender differences in what's acceptable in dress code? The firms I deal with are professional ones. It seems that the men have a new business casual uniform. The women very often still dress business professional. I've even seen websites where the men's pictures are casual and the women's pictures are ultimate professional. I recently spoke with a female business coach who told me that as a woman you must dress professionally to be taken seriously. Why do you think this is? Do women still have to dress professionally to be taken seriously?

[Lisa Haneberg]

Pat - The only gender differences I have noticed is that women are less likely to dress conservatively when going business casual. Perhaps this is why dressing biz is more important because women's notions about casual is too non-biz like.

That's just a guess.

[Mad Gringo]

Results matter.

And if you have trouble getting results - be a natty dresser.

If that doesn't work - open a tropical shirt web biz.

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