Overdressing for Work?

[Bentley]

I work as a therapist at a mental health clinic. The dress code where I work is essentially business casual. I usually wear either dress pants and a sport shirt with no tie nor blazer or chinos with a casual button shirt or polo shirt. This seems to be fine.

I'd like to dress up a little more with perhaps a tie and/or a sport coat but I worry I'd be overdressed?

What do others think and have others had similar experiences?

 

[Don Carlos]

You're probably fine getting away with the sport coat and tie. Just don't start wearing suits if it's a business casual environment. People will think you're odd.

Out of curiosity, what is the average age of staff at the clinic? If it's a fairly young crowd, then overdressing will stand out even more.

 

[Bentley]

Originally Posted by Arrogant Bastard

You're probably fine getting away with the sport coat and tie. Just don't start wearing suits if it's a business casual environment. People will think you're odd.

Out of curiosity, what is the average age of staff at the clinic? If it's a fairly young crowd, then overdressing will stand out even more.

The age of the staff is quite a mixture. The youngest person is probably in her late 20's; the oldest would be about 50.

For what it's worth, the staff are mostly female. There is only me and one other male there.

 

[Don Carlos]

Then you're fine. Rock it out. Just don't go overboard (suit).

 

[amplifiedheat]

Originally Posted by Arrogant Bastard

People will think you're odd.

What advice do you have for odd people?

 

[westinghouse]

Don't dress better than the boss.

I wear more expensive clothes than my bosses do, however, they wear suits and sport jackets, which I never do.

 

[Don Carlos]

Originally Posted by amplifiedheat

What advice do you have for odd people?

They're already on SF, so any advice I can give them would be redundant.

 

[inlandisland]

I'm in this position too - not the same job, but similar work/dress environment... What has been said above is true. Resist desires to wear a suit as you'll get comments like "going to a wedding?"

If it's not a very hierarchical place in terms of dress you should be fine with a jacket and tie though - if poeple think you're too dressed up at first, give it a week and everyone will treat it as though you'ev always dressed that way, at least that's what I've found.

 

[whiteslashasian]

Originally Posted by inlandisland

I'm in this position too - not the same job, but similar work/dress environment... What has been said above is true. Resist desires to wear a suit as you'll get comments like "going to a wedding?"

If it's not a very hierarchical place in terms of dress you should be fine with a jacket and tie though - if poeple think you're too dressed up at first, give it a week and everyone will treat it as though you'ev always dressed that way, at least that's what I've found.

I've found this to be true as well. I started wearing sport coats and the occasional suit to work and at first I would get some comments from my peers but shortly after they didn't even think twice about seeing me in a suit. I've been told that I'm the "stylish guy" at the office and people think I'm a lot older than I actually am (a good thing) for it.

 

[foggy]

This is your life. Try and dress how you want to live, because thats what your doing.

 

[red120]

Dressing up more than the norm isn't necessarily a good thing.. it should be alright though, as long as you don't give off the impression that you're putting on airs.

 

[donCarlos]

Originally Posted by westinghouse

Don't dress better than the boss.
For example, I´d love to, but it´s damn hard when my boss usually wears something like sweatsuit...

 

[MalfordOfLondon]

It all depends on your boss as well. If you've got a really good relationship with him and your co-workers then it shouldn't matter. Dress how you want to. If dressing the way you want makes you more confident and happy then you should strive to dress in the style which makes you feel good. It's all about making everything a joy I think. If you can't even enjoy getting dressed in the morning - that's a bad thing.

I'd agree with what has been said in the past. Start off slow and work your way up. Soon they won't realise you ever dressed any differently in the past. I'm now at the stage where I can *just about* get away with a pocket square. Six months ago I would have got a comment on wearing a "formal shirt"....

You have to make the call about if dressing more formal than everyone else is having a negative effect or not...

 

[jblazing]

I think a sportcoat is fine, as is nicer quality clothes, but don't be the only person to wear a tie. That looks odd.

 

[Don Carlos]

Originally Posted by Allenn

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