Would you accept a job that requires business formal attire? (2014, insurance)

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Rule of thumb: jobs that require a suit tend to be rather well paid. The higher salary should cover your dry cleaning bill.

OP, if you don't want to wear a suit, don't apply for the job. Also, before you wear a blazer to a job that requires a suit, you'd better check and see if that is OK, because a blazer with dress pants is not a suit.

You can purchase a "summer weight" suit to keep the weight and the heat down.

[Hemlock140]

I did have to wear a suit all the way through the 80s, and that was normal then. I suppose I might consider going back to that now if I was offered a job paying double what I make now, to make up for the cost of suits and ties, dry cleaning, more expensive shoes and the discomfort.

[eastcoastguyz]

Originally Posted by nep321

According to statistics, 91% of companies are business casual these days. However, 9% of them still have a formal dress code (suit and tie).

Currently, I have a potential job opportunity that requires ALL employees to wear "business formal" attire five days a week. Yikes. I NEVER had a job that required that. Always business casual.

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.

Now, I don't know if they let you take off your blazer while working during the day. God, I would hope so. I need to be comfortable while I'm at work. I'm a small, skinny guy, so wearing a blazer all day would be hell.

Another thing that sucks is that, just last month, I spent $600 on updating my business casual wardrobe (all new shirts, pants). Now, if I took this job, I would have to basically buy all new business formal clothes AGAIN and throw away all the business casual clothes I just bought. Ugh!

Anyway, back to the point. Would you accept a job that requires business formal dress code?

What kind of job is this? Are you visible to the public or clients? This matters. If you are going to report to a building and only see other co-workers, then no, I wouldn't take such a job because that's a stupid requirement. Also, what kind of pay is involved, and I ask this because wearing formal business suits all the time gets expensive and that is going to be paid for from your net pay. You can't deduct it on your taxes either unless it's some special uniform.

[313Weather]

Originally Posted by nep321

What the heck is a "full business suit" compared to just a blazer? Isn't that the same thing? Blazer and tie, with dress shirt and pants and shoes, of course.

Watch an episode of The Jeffersons to see an example of what he's referring to.

Notice the men on there would also wear vests over their shirts and under their jackets...

[Pitt Chick]

Originally Posted by nep321

I'm a small, skinny guy, so wearing a blazer all day would be hell.

What does your small stature have to do with that? I see men of all sizes wear suits and ties with no problems whatsoever.

Originally Posted by nep321

Another thing that sucks is that, just last month, I spent $600 on updating my business casual wardrobe (all new shirts, pants). Now, if I took this job, I would have to basically buy all new business formal clothes AGAIN and throw away all the business casual clothes I just bought. Ugh!

Such drama!
Nothing needs to be thrown away....

[timberline742]

Yes, and I have. I don't like the expense, but I like the formality.

[veuvegirl]

Yup! Been there done that, and would do it again! I am sure you can take your blazer off while working. If you head into a meeting or are with a client, put it on.

[CapsChick]

The OP's bewilderment wih suits and business attire amuses me. "Business casual" was really not a thing until 20 years ago or so. There are plenty of people who wear suits to work every day (if you don't understand what a suit is, Google it). If you think no one wears suits, you're wrong. Try walking around downtown Washington, DC any Monday - Friday. And yes, those guys often take their jackets off when they're in the office.

I cannot imagine this being a reason to turn down a job. Nor do you have to "throw away" perfectly good new business casual attire you just purchased. You may need it in the future.

[Eastcoasting]

Yikes.

OP have you ever worn a suit before?

You won't be driving in the suit jacket unless you want to destroy it, about half the day while you are at your desk you will not be wearing it. Often after entering a conference room about half the men will remove their suit jackets, so it's not like you are expected to be in the complete suit from 7am until 7pm...lighten up.

I wore suits everyday thru the late nineties and the last couple of those years it was by choice. Not the least of which was an attempt to get as much wear out of those expensive suits before the wave of business casual got us all looking like managers at Best Buy.

Personally I enjoyed the suit and was much better about having a set number of suits and a large collection of shirts and ties to work with.

I also found that somehow the suit created a nice separation from work and home modes:

Get home, change from suit to jeans and t-shirt and actually feel the gear shift from professional to guy-at-home.

Plus, I have never had a woman comment "that's a great golf shirt" but with my better suits, tie, shirt combos I could count on a few compliments a month. Which was nice.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by nep321

I'm a small, skinny guy, so wearing a blazer all day would be hell.

I don't understand why being small and skinny would make a blazer worse to wear. If it fits properly, it should be comfortable regardless of your size.