Outdress the boss?

[gotmikey]

So, I've been working at the same company for five years and when I first started my attire was trousers and dress shirts. The company dress code of basically anything but shorts and flip flops drove my dressing habits to jeans and polos over the years, but I've come back full circle and have started to dress closer to normal business attire. My problem is my Vice President boss wears jeans and polos with white sneakers EVERYDAY. This poses a bit of a conflict as I'm trying to dress professionally but don't want to show him up. Again, I've been at the company for five years and my boss and I work great from what I can tell, but I don't want to do anything to potentially disrupt a fine working relationship. I'd love to hear your thoughts and thanks in advance. Great forum!

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by gotmikey

So, I've been working at the same company for five years and when I first started my attire was trousers and dress shirts. The company dress code of basically anything but shorts and flip flops drove my dressing habits to jeans and polos over the years, but I've come back full circle and have started to dress closer to normal business attire. My problem is my Vice President boss wears jeans and polos with white sneakers EVERYDAY. This poses a bit of a conflict as I'm trying to dress professionally but don't want to show him up. Again, I've been at the company for five years and my boss and I work great from what I can tell, but I don't want to do anything to potentially disrupt a fine working relationship. I'd love to hear your thoughts and thanks in advance. Great forum!


do a search. this gets discussed every few months

 

[Nexus6]

One recent thread on this topic is here: Dressing Better Than The Boss http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=108588

 

[voxsartoria]

The Rubinacci guys outdress their wives all the time, so I think the answer is yes.

- B

 

[AgentQ]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

The Rubinacci guys outdress their wives all the time, so I think the answer is yes.

- B

Speaking of which, I think you might find this website amusing: http://www.instantrimshot.com/
(not vulgar or Appreciation)

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by AgentQ

(not vulgar or Appreciation)

You've already lost me.

- B

 

[bowtielover]

A lot of times it is not the dress bot the attitude of the dresser. It is fien to look a little nicer then everyone else at times as long as your not putting off an image that you see yourself above others because of your style habits. Try also by not drawing attention to the fact that you are better dressed, use simpler colors and patters as to refrain from sticking out like a sore thumb. You never know, they might take notice and start enhancing their own style.

 

[Dorian Gray]

I outdress both my bosses all the time. They find it amusing. Just find the right balance. If I was appearing with my boss in front of the press I would make sure not to outdress him. Around the office it's no big deal. Of course I have to wear at least a jacket and tie (if not suit) four out five days a week. So it is a little easier and less noticeable when outdressing one's peers and higher-ups. Try a suit without a tie. Linen/wool/knit ties with trousers. Odd Jackets instead of suits.

 

[oaw01]

**** them if they have no style.

 

[Steve B.]

I had a boss once who started dressing better because of me. Of course we were kinda in a competition re the ladies in the office.

 

[JLibourel]

For the better part of the past decade I have made it a practice to always outdress the boss(es), whoever they might be. So far, no repercussions that I can perceive. For that matter, I always outdress every other male co-worker...by a wide margin.

 

[furo]

Originally Posted by JLibourel

For the better part of the past decade I have made it a practice to always outdress the boss(es), whoever they might be. So far, no repercussions that I can perceive. For that matter, I always outdress every other male co-worker...by a wide margin.

And are you now higher up than any of those bosses?

 

[cannan]

I think its hilarious that people on this site get entirely to caught up on what they put on their body everyday for the office. I have a deputy director that wears Converse All Stars 4 days out of the week. We also have the clothes whores that dress to the 9's everyday and barely make enough money to afford the monthly payment on their Hyundai.

In my opinion your work ethic and attitude should trump the clothes that are on your body. Obviously their are occupations where this doesn't hold true. But for us basic "office" types that is how it goes.

 

[TC (Houston)]

Do everything better than your boss. Then it won't be long before you are his boss.

 

[Philip1978]

Originally Posted by TC (Houston)

Do everything better than your boss. Then it won't be long before you are his boss.

His boss is the VP..........................................