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Doesn't really matter for me. Whether it's business casual or a suit, it still has to be dry cleaned. Of course, business casual has a big range. My interpretation of it is basically slacks (wool) and a sports coat or not depending on temperature, so it's really not any different than a suit accept that suit pants wear out faster than the jackets.
Anyway, doesn't really matter. I only dry clean my suits a few times a year anyway.
I've never heard of business casual including a sport coat. I always thought it was khakis + collared shirt (preferably button down shirt). I wash all of the aforementioned items at home in my washing machine - no dry cleaning required.
I've been doing the jeans and t-shirt thing in my office for almost 7 years, we're allowed to wear whatever as long as it's clean. If clients are showing up, we get a day's notice to put on a shirt with a collar. That's about it.
It would need to be a significant bump to get me to update and maintain a business formal wardrobe... a couple thousand a month at least.
Of course! Your position's salary will be paying for it, probably. Go learn now to look nice. Don't buy synthetics suits, they look and feel cheap. Get linen, silk, wool, at least $500/suit. It's an investment.
I buy most of mine used.
Suit cuts change so if you're a dandy, you're rotating suits. If you're like me and don't really care if you're wearing a suit that looks like it was from five years ago but doesn't want to wear a trash bag from the '90s, that's a great way to do it. You do have to have one suit that fits pretty well so you can get measurements from that.
I've never heard of business casual including a sport coat. I always thought it was khakis + collared shirt (preferably button down shirt). I wash all of the aforementioned items at home in my washing machine - no dry cleaning required.
Yup, big range in business casual.
Khakis and a golf shirt work for some environments, but it's at the extreme casual end of business casual. It probably works fine if you're in IT or something more casual. I'm in the legal sector which is notoriously stuffy.
According to glassdoor.com, the reviews for the company are generally positive, and people say that the pay, benefits, culture and company are great. But they say that the one con is wearing business formal.
Anyway, back to the point. Would you accept a job that requires business formal dress code?
It is called moving up in the world and getting ahead. If I were looking for a job/new career, I'd be striving to get a job where formal wear is the norm. Not because I would like the look, cost or feeling, but because it would probably mean a high paying white collar job with upward mobility.
Now put on a tie and dress shoes, grab your car keys, and go accept the position!
At least you won't have to wear panty hose and heels. Back at my first job that was a requirement for the women. At least the heels back then weren't as high as they are now. I remember the first casual Friday, was weird wearing pants to work. And this was 1991.
I don't consider dressing like a professional to be old school. That said, I agree that it does depend on the job and client/public interaction.
People over time have been getting less and less formal. The suit and tie is actually a step down from its Victorian predecessor. If you wore an Armani suit and went back to the 10's/20's youd look like a bum to them.
If the job offered a significant increase in pay and upward mobility, then I would take it. I hate dressing up for work though. HATE IT.
I really think it is ridiculous that everyone in my department is even in business casual clothing every day. We never see or speak to a customer. Ever. In my 10 years working in finance compliance I've never once talked to a customer. Why am I dressing up to sit in a cube/office by myself?
The part that really seals in the ridiculousness for me is that we have casual Friday. So, on Friday we can dress in jeans and it's okay, but somehow it would be detrimental to do that any other day of the week? It makes no sense at all. My work isn't better on Tuesday because I'm in uncomfortable and unflattering polyester pants. In fact, I probably am most productive on Friday because I'm the most comfortable then.
If the job offered a significant increase in pay and upward mobility, then I would take it. I hate dressing up for work though. HATE IT.
I really think it is ridiculous that everyone in my department is even in business casual clothing every day. We never see or speak to a customer. Ever. In my 10 years working in finance compliance I've never once talked to a customer. Why am I dressing up to sit in a cube/office by myself?
The part that really seals in the ridiculousness for me is that we have casual Friday. So, on Friday we can dress in jeans and it's okay, but somehow it would be detrimental to do that any other day of the week? It makes no sense at all. My work isn't better on Tuesday because I'm in uncomfortable and unflattering polyester pants. In fact, I probably am most productive on Friday because I'm the most comfortable then.
If employers really wanted to improve morale, they would drop the formal dress code for positions where it clearly isn't needed. I think of the money I save each year by not having to buy and shop for business clothing. I figured it out once and it costs the same yearly as it is to afford a law moving service. Just think of it, I don't spend time and money shopping for suits, shirts, ties, socks and shoes and I also get to spend that time doing what I want, plus I don't have to take care of the lawn so even more time.
Are the people wearing suits for no good reason maxing out their 401(k) at work? I bet not, because they can't afford to because they have to allocate money for clothing.
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