What to wear to work @ Software Company in the Bay Area

[styleconcious]

I am a recent grad going to start my first job with a software firm in the bay area. When I contacted the HR about what to wear, it was more like jeans,polos, shirts, khakis etc. It is quite clear that no one wears business suits ever.

But for a nice suit, my wardrobe is empty(clothes are too old to wear to work) what should I buy ?

 

[thereverend]

Originally Posted by styleconcious

I am a recent grad going to start my first job with a software firm in the bay area. When I contacted the HR about what to wear, it was more like jeans,polos, shirts, khakis etc. It is quite clear that no one wears business suits ever.

But for a nice suit, my wardrobe is empty(clothes are too old to wear to work) what should I buy ?

Flip-flops, a t-shirt, cargo shorts, and a BMW would probably do the trick.

 

[aging in rhythm]

+

 

[vitaminc]

Originally Posted by styleconcious

I am a recent grad going to start my first job with a software firm in the bay area. When I contacted the HR about what to wear, it was more like jeans,polos, shirts, khakis etc. It is quite clear that no one wears business suits ever. But for a nice suit, my wardrobe is empty(clothes are too old to wear to work) what should I buy ?
suit? bay area software company? wtf? damn new grads... wear polo + jeans to blend right in. and utilize those company t-shhirts/polos to appear down to earth. but if u r a hustling software sales, a blue button-down shirt + khaki works well. wear a california tux people r gonna think u r an vc. wear suit ppl think u r a lawyer...

 

[California Dreamer]

Hustling sales depends on your target market - you have to dress like them. I sell to three distinct groups:

• Insurance CxOs - always suit and tie
  
• Health Provider Execs - Suit and tie for biz guys, polo and slacks for the IT types
  
• IT types - jeans and a T-shirt

Not easy to dress appropriately for all three in a day. So I dress up and grin when the IT types rib me. The senior types have the big budgets, after all.

When I was working in the Bay Area, what passes for biz caz in Australia was considered too dressy. Tommy Bahama shirts and cargo shorts were the order of the day.

 

[anonomouse]

dude NO PLEATS if you get the kahkis!

 

[Modernist]

I'm a software engineer. The common trend is the less stylish the better. Ill fitting jeans or khakis, polos or t-shirts, and trainers or trekking shoes are the norm. Extra points if the polos or t-shirts are somehow related to your coding language of preference.

I stand out like a sore thumb. Proper trousers, suit or sportcoat, always a shirt, proper shoes and even lately a pocket square. In the beginning everyone was taken by surprise (although nobody made a negative comment - most were positive), but now it's accepted as my style.

 

[zinz]

I always hate this dress codes related to job type.

It's true besides It consultant the people dress badly. In the states the typical combo of kakhis, polo and shoes that shouldn't be call that.

Go "undercover" the first days and after that build your own style, you have to feel good with yourself.

 

[constant struggle]

If it is truely a jeans type of place, you can't go wrong with a nice fitted casual button down shirt, dark raw jeans, and some brown bluchers

 

[Modernist]

Originally Posted by zinz

I always hate this dress codes related to job type.

It's true besides It consultant the people dress badly. In the states the typical combo of kakhis, polo and shoes that shouldn't be call that.

Go "undercover" the first days and after that build your own style, you have to feel good with yourself.

+1

That's what I did. For years I'd been wearing jeans (properly fitting, of course) when going to work, and suits when going out (the whole mod thing

). I remember once, when I had to stay until very late at work, and then immediately went out, a friend of mine was surprised: she'd never seen me in jeans before (queue the Pretty Things' Midnight to Six "I've never seen/ the people I know/ in the bright light of day)

Most IT consultants are equally badly dressed though. Yes they wear suits and ties, but the suits are two sizes too large and the ties reach below the belt, acting as dick-pointers (perhaps that's accurate in some cases, if only the tie would point upward).

 

[NH_Clark]

get an "In-N-Out burger" t-shirt... right off of 101 near the Marriott. Stop in and grab a starbucks while you're at it.

 

[JustinW]

Apple's HR policy manual actually has a section on Dress Code, which is a very brief 1-line statement that all employees must wear ... some form of clothing!

 

[DandySF]

The vibe I get from many IT people in San Francisco is that clothing just doesn't matter, certainly not to the degree it does on this forum. Clothing is simply the solution to nudity, not much more.

With this in mind, you should have a good degree of latitude in putting together your own style. Be aware that there's a fuzzy line which, if crossed, might possibly alienate you from your peers, if you veer off in some direction that's not reasonably consistent with those around you. This means that people might snicker among themselves about the clown who shows up in a suit and tie every day. There's someone like that where I work and he just doesn't seem to get it.

One thing to be aware of is that many people commute to SF from the East Bay, North Bay, and Marin, some on motorcycles. This means that they work in the city but aren't necessarily urban sophisticates who place some emphasis on style. There's been many a morning in the elevator when I think the guys around me are perfectly well dressed for their weekend lawn mowing.

 

[styleconcious]

Thanks a lot guys......really helps.....

I will be a software engineer....not into sales/business or consulting

I did like the american eagle and aeropostale during college but im not sure if that would be good now..

what are some good places to look for polos, jeans and khakis? GAP, Banana Republic or Ralph Lauren? Although by the standards of this forum RL is not on the expensive side, i do find it to be a bit pricey...At the same time i would always prefer spending more on a better looking durable product.

thanks again

 

[C3N4]

Kudos on being interested in dressing well and taking the time to research it. I've been an IT consultant for years and I'm just now getting into doing the same (I've always worn t-shirts/sweaters and jeans/khakis at work FWIW). You're moving into a new phase in life and this is a great time to upgrade your wardrobe.

Everyone here has given pretty good advice. I'd say see what the other software engineers are wearing and, while having your own style, try not to deviate too much from everyone else (like DandySF says). If their styles of dress vary wildly, then you probably have more latitude to dress however you want. Just don't be that guy with the greasy ponytail and ripped, old pizza-stained Metallica t-shirt...wait, nevermind tht's my generation.

Ok, just don't let yourself get too sloppy--it might fit in fine with your co-workers, but it won't do you any favors with management and especially the fairer sex.

As for good places to buy what you're looking for, those you mentioned are fine. I'd also add J-Crew, Saks Off-5th, Nordstrom Rack, and Neiman Marcus Last Call to the list.

Good luck in your new job!