Declining clothing standards in downtown Chicago

[j33]

What is the big deal about suits? some people wear them and some people don't. I sometimes wear them for presentations or when I know important people are gong to be around and such and I've never been overly bothered by having to do so, and I am also firmly a member of Generation X (besides I like some of my suits, it would be a shame to let them collect dust in my closet). I work with people who wear suits almost every day and they are just as trustworthy as the guy who doesn't.

... and my personal opinions is that I'd rather see a guy in a suit that in some faded khakis (which I've always thought looked rather ugly).

[aragx6]

There are people at my work who dress very casually (one woman even wears a track suit) But I still wear dress pants and a nice sweater everyday. I don't have to, but I personally feel weird if dressed more casually at work. I feel this woman comes across as a little unprofessional.

I think for me it comes down to two reasons I dress up

1. I think it gives me an air of professionalism. I'm young and I don't want to look like an intern!

2. I like clothes and it give me an excuse to shop.

[Gtownoe]

Ha ha...these post are killing me.

I work in sales and I wear a suit to all of my meetings and enrollments.

I just got a mental picture of the administrative aid thinking...here comes this damn sales guy again.

I think I may loosen up my image now by ditching the tie and just going with a coat.

[miserylovesco.]

I work @ the CBOT and we're slobs.

We dress as casually as we can get away with, when we had to wear ties, we kept the same tie in our pockets, pre tied.

[prinsessa]

Originally Posted by Drover

Huh... I never thought they were that bad, though I don't own a pair and don't especially intend to. They look a lot less goofy to me than those super-pointy women's shoes where the point extends about 14 inches beyond the end of their toes. They look like a dress version of clown shoes...

I agree with that! They look really bad on my size 10 foot (not that I have ever really tried them on). It is sooooo hard to find ladies dress shoes that don't have pointy toes.

[gichicago]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

Certainly not.

I'll say this: Right or wrong, I get treated differently when I'm dressed differently. I usually dress for comfort when I fly. Jeans and a hoodie, even when on a business trip (provided I'll get to check into my hotel before being anywhere for business). Last trip I took, I had to be in meetings as soon as I got off of the plane and had meetings until I got back on the plane 3 days later. Therefore, I was wearing a suit on both hops. I was treated with much more care and deference, and not just by airline staff. People at coffee shops. Other passengers. Etc. I'm a younger guy, so maybe it was the difference between looking like a college kid or looking like a businessman. I dunno. I don't feel like either.

I like the smiles I get from those of the female persuasion when I'm dressed well, too.

There are times and places for everything. If your job doesn't ask you to dress well, be comfortable!

I had the exact same experience (I think I heard the term 'sir' more). I used to fly out every week, and at some point, started wearing a sport coat and some better fitting slacks. Funny thing is I got the sport coat to hold all my crap, like keys, personal phone blackberry, etc, since I hate sell phone holsters.