Who still wears a suit to work?

[lordsuperb]

Like a strange animal. Most told me: "you know, you have can lose the suit"

To which, I usually answered: "I actually enjoy it"

It admittedly often sent a presumptuous vibe but that wasn't my intention. I just wanted to be who I was (maybe a presumptuous prick, after all).

Yeah, this was the vibe and response I got in the last office I worked. I noticed some individuals looked uncomfortable when I would come to a meeting wearing a suit. There attitudes changed as they got to know me but it still leaves an impression on you. I now stick to sport coats and only wear suits for high level presentations or meetings.

 

[wojt]

Yeah, this was the vibe and response I got in the last office I worked. I noticed some individuals looked uncomfortable when I would come to a meeting wearing a suit. There attitudes changed as they got to know me but it still leaves an impression on you. I now stick to sport coats and only wear suits for high level presentations or meetings.

That's still okay if you can wear sportcoats without this sort of reaction, not everyone is this lucky But people tend to get used to it. Most people I work with now are sort of used to the fact I wear shirts/wool sweaters instead tshirts/hoodies.

For me its uncomfortable especially at first, since there may be a cultural difference when commenting on looks. In Poland people somewhat feel you are interested in their opinion about your looks so they are direct about it, in fact often rude. I understand in USA/UK people are less direct and let you live more- at least it seems to me that is the case. Uncomfortable part is when they try to humorously slight(probably often not consciously) a bit and you are left with uncomfortable dilemma; should I ignore it and not respond or should I fire back with some edgy humor myself. None of which is really a great option.

 

[dieworkwear]

(by standards of SF they would count as informal though).

Have you tried explaining this to them?

 

[wojt]

Have you tried explaining this to them?

never thought about doing so, but come to think of it it could be pretty interesting to try

 

[Aquafortis]

That was 100% my opinion of suits in the early 2000s. The overwhelming majority of people around me that wore suits were people that needed (usually desperately) something from me. That's no longer the case. Now that even those people are dressing more casually, the only people around me in suits are those that want to be.

I view it similarly. The people wearing suits these days (especially here in ultra-casual San Francisco) are doing so because they are choosing to. I personally enjoy the relaxation of the business attire norms and am grateful the suit is much less of a uniform, and much more of a personal stylistic choice. Of course, the suit still connotes a level of dressing up, traditional formality, and I believe conveys respect for the people/event that one interacts with while suited.

I see a good deal of the younger gent workforce in SF who obviously enjoy wearing suits as it's doubtful their employer or profession really requires it. Suit Supply in SF does a fairly robust business I believe - at least it has survived in the ultra-high-rent Union Square district - for a number of years now.

In my workplace, few men wear sport coats or dress(ier) shoes. It's great to have the freedom to dress up or down, although I rarely wear a suit. The last time I did so was because I was attending the opera that evening, and I definitely got some questioning remarks that day from coworkers.

 

[JJ Katz]

I think it makes sense to fit in, somewhat, in the environment you work in; especially at first.
You can start being 'one notch' above the dreck..sorry, 'average'.
Once they know you, you can go another notch.

REST OF THE OFFICE = crocs, tees, sweats . . . . YOU = jeans, 'casual' shirt, camp mocs
REST OF THE OFFICE = sneakers, tees, jeans . . . YOU = chinos, BD shirt, loafers
REST OF THE OFFICE = chinos, polos . . . YOU = odd jackeet/trousers, smart shirt w/o tie
REST OF THE OFFICE = 'smart casual' . . . YOU = tie but maybe not very seerious suits, normally
REST OF THE OFFICE = ugly suit w/o tie . . . YOU = nice suite+tie

If people ask, I think it's best not to sound haughty but just be sincere: "I'm kinda into clothes" or "I actually enjoy smart clothes" or something like that

 

[smittycl]

Suits are the great equalizer. Everyone around me wears them and it just levels the playing the field, allowing for a formal attitude and a focus on the task at hand without the distractions of everyone being dressed differently. Nice sport coat and dress pants acceptable as well.

Sounds stodgy I guess but it seems weird to me to be in a meeting with some folks in suits, some in jeans, some in khakis, etc.

I love the sense of confidence I get with a smart suit, good tie and shoes. Even the interns look like they belong as long they have a suit that fits.

 

[usctrojans31]

My last company was fairly formal but went through a dramatic casualification over a year. One snarky person remarked to a person wearing a suit:

"Why the hell are you dressed like you're going to a bank?"
"Because I have a meeting with the CEO of a bank."
"Oh."

 

[Coffandcig]

Suits are the great equalizer. Everyone around me wears them and it just levels the playing the field, allowing for a formal attitude and a focus on the task at hand without the distractions of everyone being dressed differently. Nice sport coat and dress pants acceptable as well.

Sounds stodgy I guess but it seems weird to me to be in a meeting with some folks in suits, some in jeans, some in khakis, etc.

I love the sense of confidence I get with a smart suit, good tie and shoes. Even the interns look like they belong as long they have a suit that fits.

...as long as they have a suit that fits.

 

[tim_horton]

Suits are the great equalizer. Everyone around me wears them and it just levels the playing the field, allowing for a formal attitude and a focus on the task at hand without the distractions of everyone being dressed differently. Nice sport coat and dress pants acceptable as well.

Sounds stodgy I guess but it seems weird to me to be in a meeting with some folks in suits, some in jeans, some in khakis, etc.

I love the sense of confidence I get with a smart suit, good tie and shoes. Even the interns look like they belong as long they have a suit that fits.

That's the great thing about suits. It's a uniform. Once you have things dialed in, you don't need to think too hard about things like "Do these shoes go with those pants?" and "Is this formal/informal enough?" or "What is everyone else going to wear?" I can think about other things instead.

 

[EZB]

I view it similarly. The people wearing suits these days (especially here in ultra-casual San Francisco) are doing so because they are choosing to. I personally enjoy the relaxation of the business attire norms and am grateful the suit is much less of a uniform, and much more of a personal stylistic choice. Of course, the suit still connotes a level of dressing up, traditional formality, and I believe conveys respect for the people/event that one interacts with while suited.

I see a good deal of the younger gent workforce in SF who obviously enjoy wearing suits as it's doubtful their employer or profession really requires it. Suit Supply in SF does a fairly robust business I believe - at least it has survived in the ultra-high-rent Union Square district - for a number of years now.

In my workplace, few men wear sport coats or dress(ier) shoes. It's great to have the freedom to dress up or down, although I rarely wear a suit. The last time I did so was because I was attending the opera that evening, and I definitely got some questioning remarks that day from coworkers.

And that is the difference between San Francisco and Seattle. In San Francisco, suits are a possible choice because style is a thing some understand. There is no style in Seattle. Suits are not an option.

 

[Chaconne]

 

[Aquafortis]

And that is the difference between San Francisco and Seattle. In San Francisco, suits are a possible choice because style is a thing some understand. There is no style in Seattle. Suits are not an option.

Wow, I knew Seattle was casual...and like SF, "style" is all over the place. I have family roots in Issaquah, and yeah, I guess dressing up is maybe wearing bolo tie with your flannel shirt and fleece vest. So what are the bankers and attorneys wearing day to day?

 

[EZB]

Wow, I knew Seattle was casual...and like SF, "style" is all over the place. I have family roots in Issaquah, and yeah, I guess dressing up is maybe wearing bolo tie with your flannel shirt and fleece vest. So what are the bankers and attorneys wearing day to day?

I dunno about attorneys.... but what’s a banker? It’s all digital banking. Seattle is dominated by tech companies

 

[clee1982]

By banker think he meant I bank...