A better assessment of the situation than my original post. While I'm in general supportive of the "dress for your job today" movement, I also believe that we're fully on the slippery slope away from suit and tie for all but the most formal (senior management/board) settings. But more than simply a lamentation over the loss of tradition, I can't help but think there's a corresponding loss of a sense of personal accountability, albeit subliminal at best (or my imagination at worst!). The personal empowerment (if I can call it that) of dressing for how you perceive your role seems a ripe environment for people to migrate to a belief that they too can define their own level of achievement or work effort. It's been my observation that ultimately, whether one likes it or not, that there's always someone keeping a scorecard, and it behooves the worker, at whatever stage they're at, to know who that scorekeeper is.This is predominantly true in the Pentagon as well, for those working directly with the multiple levels of senior leaders and especially with the interagency and international engagements. I wear a suit and tie Monday to Thursday and have a blazer and several ties in the office to dress up the odd trousers and button down worn on Fridays. These dog days of summer often see me commute open-collar and carrying my suit coat, however.
The very young, the very old, and the back-office experts/technicians seem most unwilling to hew to a more formal dress code.
Regards,
I appreciate the autonomy that comes with "dress for your workday" policies and exercise some personal leeway where and when sensible. Perhaps somewhat like yourself, it strikes me that many use it as an excuse to indulge slovenly inclinations or engage in rank sartorial laziness. It takes a bit of effort to learn the basics of dressing well; and a bit more to find your style and assemble, curate, and care for your wardrobe (try doing it while you're pushing 50 after 30+ years in uniform!)....While I'm in general supportive of the "dress for your job today" movement, I also believe that we're fully on the slippery slope away from suit and tie for all but the most formal (senior management/board) settings.
Hear, hear! For me this is a professional thing: know what is expected for your workplace and for specific events and audiences, and then dress correctly. Open-collar with a blazer or sport-coat is fine, but have the good sense to be prepared to put on a tie if warranted. The occasional gaffe, the absent-minded genius, and the insouciant billionaire happen; professionals who regularly disregard sartorial norms communicate a lot about themselves and their (lack of) regard for fellow professionals and institutions. These things do not go unnoticed--unless you are one of those three aforementioned exceptions, there could be consequence. Perhaps you care about that, and perhaps you do not....But more than simply a lamentation over the loss of tradition, I can't help but think there's a corresponding loss of a sense of personal accountability, albeit subliminal at best (or my imagination at worst!). The personal empowerment (if I can call it that) of dressing for how you perceive your role seems a ripe environment for people to migrate to a belief that they too can define their own level of achievement or work effort. It's been my observation that ultimately, whether one likes it or not, that there's always someone keeping a scorecard, and it behooves the worker, at whatever stage they're at, to know who that scorekeeper is.
I wholeheartedly agree with the former and as strongly repudiate the latter. In my experience, accountability is no more or less present (or lacking) in men or women....Woman simply neither think nor perceive the world (much-less operate within hierarchies) the way men do. Accountability certainly isn't their strong suite...
If your tie is uncomfortable, sir, may I suggest you may perhaps be doing it wrong? If your shirt collar fits correctly and you are not over-tightening your tie, I cannot imagine why it would be uncomfortable....Ties are annoying at best to wear, uncomfortable at worst.
Perfectly acceptable. By "most of the time", I take it you suffer through the wearing of a tie when you know it is warranted. Good for you....This said, wearing a suit without a tie does not look right. Since I am not a fan of ties, I go for an odd trousers and sport coat combo most of the time.
What a vile post. Though maybe you’re a bit vocabulary-challenged (suite???) and deserve a pass.Accountability certainly isn't their strong suite...
"Someone mentioned how the "high end" auto dealer clients probably dress in suits and ties. At least on the west coast, that couldn't be further from the truth."
In that post, I was referring to an experience I had at one dealership in New Jersey. I was not suggesting that was the norm.
I'd agree that casual or less is certainly the norm on the left coast. In the 1980's, I worked for a company that sent me out to the Eugene / Springfield area quite often. Casual was the norm even then.