When it's good to be overdressed

[dsmolken]

What are some occasions when being totally overdressed compared to what's expected or normal works well?

I'd say small art exhibit openings at non-big-name galleries are one. You will stick out in a very positive way among the artsy university students wearing clothes that loudly say "I don't have a real job and hope I never have to get one", plus a few poor guys who are only there for the free wine. The only people with a tie on might be the artist and university professors.

 

[Taxler]

Dress for yourself and as you otherwise would; even an artist can determine if what's on the cover is the same as what's in the book.

 

[LabelKing]

It is ideal to wear things that no "creative" person would ever think of wearing at these art shindigs. For example, formal suits and large Western hats are things people in creative fields never wear.

 

[RedLetterDay]

Grocery stores, the ladies love it... Wait, what.

Seriously though the one that sticks out the most to me is the first time I've met/had dinner with the family of any of my ex-girlfriends. I don't wear a tux or anything like that but I usually dress slightly more refined than I think someone normally would.

 

[Cards & Cubs]

RedLetterDay, just for clarification, do you mean when you have dinner with your then-girlfriends' parents or your already-exgirlfriends' parents?

 

[js4design]

on a desert island...

 

[JayJay]

^^^Yes!

 

[Joffrey]

I think it's silly to be purposefully overdressed. Dress for the ocassion. If others are underdressed then you look smart.

 

[RedLetterDay]

Originally Posted by Cards & Cubs

RedLetterDay, just for clarification, do you mean when you have dinner with your then-girlfriends' parents or your already-exgirlfriends' parents?

Hahah, I mean my "then" girlfriend. Don't think I've had dinner with any of their parents after we've broken up.

 

[HORNS]

Originally Posted by js4design

on a desert island...

This made me LOL. Well-done.

 

[HORNS]

Originally Posted by Jodum5

I think it's silly to be purposefully overdressed. Dress for the ocassion. If others are underdressed then you look smart.

While I agree, I've found myself going from work to a bar or restaurant and you get better treatment and you'll notice women, sitting with men, turn their heads to look at you. It's nice and it feels good.

Last week, I visited a friend in the hospital right after work. He was at San Francisco General, which gets all the rif-raf of San Fran. When I was talking to the nurses there, who usually are jaded people due to the type of patients they deal with, they were very accommodating and respectful. I don't know - maybe that's how they always are there. I'm just making assumptions on this last part.

 

[Jaxson612]

As I tell my my sons, there's no shame being the best dressed guy in the room...

 

[HORNS]

Originally Posted by Jaxson612

As I tell my my sons, there's no shame being the best dressed guy in the room...

Except you're the guy handed the check after dinner.

 

[TheFoo]

I think once you dip down to business casual and blow, anything is fair game short of a suit. I have no idea what my friends are going to wear when we go out, so I don't bother guessing, and wear an odd jacket with trousers, a tie, and pocket square. I rarely wear a suit to a social event that doesn't require one.

 

[dsmolken]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

It is ideal to wear things that no "creative" person would ever think of wearing at these art shindigs. For example, formal suits and large Western hats are things people in creative fields never wear.
Exactly! That works wonderfully for convincing all those college girls you're an interesting guy who appreciates art and has a real job (unlike all the men they know).