E_Money profile picture
E_Money profile picture

E_Money

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Big Shot
Politicker
Arsonist
+10

Is business casual dying?

IMO- yes... the only companies and industries that still have strict dress codes are pretty oldschool boys clubs (finance, politics, etc.) and will slowly adapt to more casual dress in the office.


I haven't had to wear more than a t-shirt and jeans in years.


Thoughts?

Is the business casual dress code a thing of the past?

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64 comments

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SaaSam
Politicker
13
Account Executive
I personally prefer to dress a tad nicer. Just a tad, I'm talking like a polo and jeans. But I'm against a "dress code". If I was the one making the rules I'd just say don't dress like a slob and don't show up smelling like shit.
E_Money
Big Shot
4
💰
lol "smelling like shit" didn't even consider that an option
SaaSam
Politicker
4
Account Executive
Shared an office with a dude that likely didn't shower before work and came in smelling of sour milk every day. I've got a burr under my saddle for folks that don't understand basic hygiene 
funcoupons
WR Officer
3
👑
A surprising amount of people don't practice basic hygiene...not ripping on those who can't afford to do laundry or shower obviously. But I've encountered plenty of people walking around dressed nicely yet smelling like a thousand unwashed asses plus a carton of spoiled milk on a hot summers day. GTFO
SaaSam
Politicker
3
Account Executive
Totally. If your choice is laundry or a meal definitely go eat. However if you are in tech sales, share an enclosed space with other individuals, and show up smelling as though you ate a bucket of shit before promptly vomiting all over yourself then off is the direction in which I would like you to fuck
E_Money
Big Shot
0
💰
Yikes, I haven't encountered this in adult life yet but I'll be on the lookout now!
CuriousFox
WR Officer
11
🦊
No. Some sort of rules are needed because there's always the idiots that try to ruin it for everyone else.
E_Money
Big Shot
1
💰
Totally agree, definitely not saying there shouldn't be any rules. Getting some pretty funny comments about that. I just think requiring true business casual clothes in the office is outdated 
Incognito
WR Officer
1
Master of Disaster
Sweatpants would qualify 
funcoupons
WR Officer
7
👑
Hope not. I don't want to see Brad walking around in sweatpants and slides with socks just because he "can do the job just as well in these clothes than he can in a dress shirt."

Call me old fashioned, fight me, whateva.

My office is super millennial and modern, not an old boys club at all. The owner  still hates casual dress and if you wear a baseball hat or graphic tee to the office he will literally stop you in the hallway and say "...really?" with the most disappointed expression ever. 
E_Money
Big Shot
6
💰
haha I mean there is definitely a middle ground. Not saying everyone should show up in their pajamas, I just think khakis and button downs are a bit outdated for everyday office wear.
funcoupons
WR Officer
6
👑
I think dark jeans are fine if paired with a shirt with some intention (collared or not) and not some plain, stretched out t shirt that belongs in your gym bag. Also fine with sneakers, but not running shoes. Basically, look like you give a fuck and make more than $8 an hour.
E_Money
Big Shot
2
💰
fair enough
jefe
Arsonist
0
🍁
Seconding dark jeans with a nice shirt - it's my go-to when I'm in office as it's a very casual environment but I still like to dress well and feel good.
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
6
☕️
Gotta be honest, I'd never work there if my owner said that to me. Or, I'd walk up to his desk every time I got a slack asking to build a report that already exists and say "...really?".
funcoupons
WR Officer
3
👑
Haha, our owner is an ex-sales savage (will still hop on the phone to help us close big deals if needed) and one of the nicest and most easygoing bosses I've ever had. I just get the impression that he wants us to look like the winners we are. 

And also he does do it with some humor so he doesn't come off as a total asshole. 
E_Money
Big Shot
2
💰
Agreed 🤷‍♂️
Avon
Politicker
4
Senior Account Executive
I think strict dress codes should be limited to jobs paying atleast 100k+. If I’m going to be sweating in khakis or a suit you need to pay me for it. That being said, I think sweatpants/yoga pants are innappropriate. But nice jeans/khaki shorts, and collared shirt should be fine in 99% of office settings.
E_Money
Big Shot
2
💰
Some sort of dress code is definitely a must. You can't trust people to dress like adults, especially sales people lol
CharmingSalesGal
Politicker
4
Account Executive
I NEVER dressed up or even really did my make up before COVID. Mind you, I did all GoToMeeting sales calls and no one turned on their cameras.

But with coming back into the office and everyone always turning on their cameras, I've started to enjoy dressing up a bit. And by dressing up, I mean I look presentable and fashionable.
E_Money
Big Shot
2
💰
I agree! It feels good to put real clothes on again. I look forward to occasions where I get to dress up a bit.
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
3
SaaS Eater
Have you ever walked around the engineering floor of a large tech company? Its pretty nasty. People wearing pajamas, smells weird, idk how they are productive but its generally an unpleasant place to be.

Now imagine giving that freedom to a bunch of sales people that know how to push boundaries, no one wants to see where that goes lol. Doesnt need to be a suit and tie but something is needed
Mothy
Politicker
1
Account Executive
I feel like sales people have more pride in their outward appearance than dev people though.
E_Money
Big Shot
1
💰
Agreed and definitely not saying that there shouldn't be some sort of dress code, but I aint tuckin my shirt in!
TheRealPezDog
Notable Contributor
2
Account Manager
I'm actually really shocked that "dress codes" haven't been altogether cancelled by now... IMHO they are kind of a 'loophole' to discriminate... (my humble opinion folks, don't @ me with your bs)
SaaSyBee
Politicker
2
Founder
Love that T-shirt life! Never going back. But honestly, it really depends on who you're selling into. I used to sell into manufacturing and it was super old school. Dressing nicely was a must as most of those guys wore ties to work.
E_Money
Big Shot
2
💰
Yup, I used to sell into trucking and for onsites you definitely needed to dress a certain way 
Upper_Class_SaaS
Politicker
2
Account Executive
WFH is the essence of biz casual lol I call it the mullet... Business on top, pajamas on bottom 👌🏼
FeedTheKids
Politicker
2
Solutions Consultant
I do 95% of my demos/calls via Zoom.... like most these days. I would say I wear "gym clothes"/shorts and a t-shirt 4 days a week. I'll dress up a bit more for Operations Meetings on Fridays. 

Side note: 

1. I'm based in northern FL so the weather is hot 300+ days out of the year.
2. I dressed like this pre-covid and rarely heard anyone complain.

Overall, I think dressing up helps some get into the "work" mojo. For me personally, I'm most productive when comfortable.... 

That doesn't mean I show up to work fresh out of bed, but also no need for me to wear a suit and tie in 90-degree weather to sit around in an office chair and give 6 hours worth of demos. 
bareknuckles
Valued Contributor
2
CEO of my kitchen table
I wear a startup tshirt and shorts to work
E_Money
Big Shot
1
💰
Baller
bareknuckles
Valued Contributor
1
CEO of my kitchen table
Ball so hard
Lenca
Politicker
2
BDR
I like to dress nicely to meet prospects and important meetings other than than I'm choosing comfort!
E_Money
Big Shot
2
💰
comfort is king!
Lenca
Politicker
1
BDR
oh yeah!!
sneakysnek
Politicker
2
KCSM
It's funny - in my last role, I dressed up every day. I woke up an hour and a half before I had to leave so I could do my hair, paint my face with makeup, plaster on a smile, and put on a dress I didn't want to wear with heels to match. I felt like an impostor 100% of the time. 

Got a new job earlier this year, and decided to let my performance speak for itself. I show up in black jeans, a tee shirt, and chucks almost every day. Never been more comfortable, performance went through the roof, and I've garnered mad respect from most everyone in the org because they see me as authentic. 

I'll still dress up for important meetings with clients and the like, but I'm much happier now that my coworkers see me for who I am.
E_Money
Big Shot
1
💰
Nice, baller move. 


"Who cares what I wear... look at my numbers bitches"
Diablo
Politicker
2
Sr. AE
Business casuals is something I prefer as it makes you look presentable and at the same time not very formal. 
E_Money
Big Shot
0
💰
Hot take.
happyhunter
Politicker
1
spittin' sunshine
I think what is defined as "business casual" is loosening (Thank GOD!) and it's becoming more...don't look like a piece of shit and look presentable/put together. 

That being said, I think the athleisure movement is so solid that if you're just in an office of peers, rocking Alo leggings and a cute crop sweatshirt or nice lulu joggers with clean white Nikes + trendy jacket is 100% fine and doesn't impact my workday. Would I wear this to meet prospective clients or to do a presentation? Fuck no. That's when you go back to the rule of not looking like a piece of shit and take care of your damn self. 

I am a happier employee if I have the flexibility to rock my style (and always look good doing it) versus being forced into a Banana Republic pant suit that literally pains me to put on.

E_Money
Big Shot
2
💰
Yeah those things hurt! Who are they made for?
tonysoprano
Big Shot
1
Sr. AE
Birddogs pants and a golf polo with tennis shoes is my go-to. pretty much only wear a jacket if I'm going to a wedding or somewhere formal

I think if there are requirements at all is should be footwear and maybe pants. If you're going to wear shorts, you should make your coworkers look at your feet in an old pair of flip flops. 
E_Money
Big Shot
2
💰
I gotta say, I am not a fan of the golf-polo-for-everything look. Like it's an athletic shirt and I live in the south where people assume that because it has a collar it is okay to wear out to dinner etc. Not saying you do this, just have a lot to get off my chest about gold polos apparently 
tonysoprano
Big Shot
1
Sr. AE
I get that. it's not a replacement for a button down by any means. but I live in texas where it's hot as fuck and i'm a sweat boy so i'm simply not going to wear a cotton oxford button down pretty much ever. and most golf polos that aren't nike and all that dont have logos and look pretty nice 
NoSuperhero
Politicker
1
BDR LEAD
I wouldn't say it's dying but it's def changing.
E_Money
Big Shot
1
💰
100%
Rallier
Politicker
1
SDR Manager and Consultant
Personally, I would never work anywhere where there is a dress code. It's just not who I am. I imagine there will be more people like me
sellingsellssold
Politicker
1
SDR
I think dressing casual it great and should be acceptable most places unless you have a big meeting with clients or high up people then business professional should be dressed.
E_Money
Big Shot
1
💰
Yeah always a time and a place to step it up. But everyday, no thanks
Calico
Celebrated Contributor
1
Corporate Trainer
For sales, I think some nice pants/khakis/jeans or anything long and not ripped up and a polo or a clean, ironed t-shirt should be fine. Anything more is overkill, but anything less is kind of like "why even come to work today?". 

But in a WFH setting, a nice top and pj pants all day every day. 

I'm biased. I've always had a uniform or dress code for previous jobs. Sometimes it's nice to wake up and not decide on clothes for the day - but only if your uniform is comfy.
KendallRoy
Politicker
1
AM
Gonna keep closing deals in sweatpants and slippers in my home office til the day I die now 
E_Money
Big Shot
0
💰
Preach
JJASBE
Catalyst
1
Director, Solutions Sales
It seems to have died a while back in the startup space. Jeans and tees are normative in Silicon Valley, and that seems to have spread nationally in that space.  I'm all for a polo and khakis/jeans, suit and tie-I would decline an offer lol
KingShopper
Politicker
1
JF Negócios Online
I work in a registry office and, personally, I like to dress more formally to receive clients, notaries and lawyers. Because the first impression is the one that stays, and being well groomed is synonymous with new business.
E_Money
Big Shot
0
💰
Makes sense, sounds like a more old-school system as well. Like I said I am probably jaded from being in the tech world so long.
justatopproducer
Politicker
1
VP OF SALES -US
I hope not. Although for the cost of suits and dry cleaning I do wish we were reimbursed for wearing $1500+ worth of clothers each day.
E_Money
Big Shot
1
💰
Surprised you're basically the first one to bring up cost.

Definitely should be considered when taking a job that requires you to spend top dollar on buying and maintaining these clothes. 
justatopproducer
Politicker
1
VP OF SALES -US
Suits are expensive, plus they dont make suits that fit. I have to have eveything altered to fit or it looks like im wearing clothes too small or too big.
E_Money
Big Shot
1
💰
Dude I feel you on the suits not fitting thing.

I am 6'3" and got some long ass arms, long ass legs, and a long ass torso. But not quite the "BIG" and tall type. Everything has to be tailored, so annoying. And just an additional cost at the end of the day
justatopproducer
Politicker
0
VP OF SALES -US
Where do you go for tailoring? Tip.. open a notdstrom account (debit/credit) and you get money towards tailoring. I believe its $100 a year but thats like 1 suit, shirt, and pant typically. Whats funny is im 6ft, and 185-205 with a 32 inch waist. So in swimming in a 42L
JDialz
Politicker
1
Chief Operating Officer
No, we will not slowly adapt. Everyone in our group knows we make way too much money not to wear a goddamn suit and tie. Dress like a poor on the weekend if you want.
E_Money
Big Shot
2
💰
Damn @JDialz coming in hot!
JDialz
Politicker
1
Chief Operating Officer
That was partly tongue in cheek, but we do dress up.
E_Money
Big Shot
0
💰
lol

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