Dress code? (Seattle: tech job, tenants, school)

[toughguy]

I'm in IT and wear whatever I want to work - Jeans and t-shirt for the most part. I am not some typical computer nerd (you'll never catch me in sweatpants and a wolf shirt), but I find fashion to be pretentious and slightly douchey.

[LookinForMayberry]

I worked in various sized companies in the Seattle area, from '90 - '08, and all of them had dress codes, but they were usually nominal, and geared to the type of job. (Example, if you were in a position to interface with the public, you were expected to dress with a greater degree of professionalism than if you worked on the factory floor.)

As a planner, I dressed very casual, but when I worked as a Buyer (meeting with customers and suppliers), I dressed "business casual" (no t-shirts, jeans, etc). As a manager/supervisor, I've only had to talk with one employee, and that was more a matter of hygiene than attire.

[JesseJB]

I'm fine with the slovenly way people dress at work. Just makes it that much easier for me to get ahead.

[seattlenextyear]

Originally Posted by toughguy

I'm in IT and wear whatever I want to work - Jeans and t-shirt for the most part. I am not some typical computer nerd (you'll never catch me in sweatpants and a wolf shirt), but I find fashion to be pretentious and slightly douchey.

I like my wolf shirts to have 3 wolves and 1 moon. I find that to be an optimal wolf to moon ratio.

[mishigas73]

Originally Posted by JesseJB

I'm fine with the slovenly way people dress at work. Just makes it that much easier for me to get ahead.

So true!!!

Several months ago, when I was up in Vancouver, I went to Value Village and went nuts. (Ha, I spent about 50 bucks and got a TON of stuff.) I went in there especially to find silk shirts to wear open over solid t-shirts, and ended up getting 3 of them. Every time I wear them, I get compliments. Gee...let me see...I can wear a silk shirt and t-shirt that I got for under 10 bucks, or spend more and look like a slob. Hmmmmm....

I guess it's the "New York genes" in me that don't let me bear even thinking about looking unprofessional at a job.

I understand that there is a cultural distinction out here when it comes to what's "professional" (and, of course, there's a vast difference in what's acceptable in different fields), but I'm still mystified that a lawyer can go try a case in court in a t-shirt with a horrendous floral cardigan over it, and a non-matching skirt with no hose. No, it doesn't have to be Armani, but heck, it should look like you're leaving the house for more than an afternoon at the mall.

[ijoe13]

Originally Posted by toughguy

I'm in IT and wear whatever I want to work - Jeans and t-shirt for the most part. I am not some typical computer nerd (you'll never catch me in sweatpants and a wolf shirt), but I find fashion to be pretentious and slightly douchey.

I'm in IT as well and still have to wear business casual... no jeans, tennis shoes, t-shirts...

I sit in a back office and NEVER interface with clients face to face... go figure..

[toughguy]

Originally Posted by seattlenextyear

i like my wolf shirts to have 3 wolves and 1 moon. I find that to be an optimal wolf to moon ratio.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...gL._SS500_.jpg

Lawlz

[shoegal111]

Originally Posted by JesseJB

I'm fine with the slovenly way people dress at work. Just makes it that much easier for me to get ahead.

Yeah, it's either that or in the usual passive agressive Seattle manner they will compliment you on your style and then bash you behind you back about it. The biggest source of water cooler talk at the office was whether my earrings were real diamonds, was my other jewelry real or costume and that I must have paid $250 plus for my handbags and shoes, etc. Talk about a waste of time and energy.

[Luke9686]

Rule of thumb: always be the nicest dressed person in the room.

[ijoe13]

Originally Posted by Luke9686

Rule of thumb: always be the nicest dressed person in the room.

I suppose a modern interpretation of this would be to wear the nicest jeans and the nicest hoodie?