"Do You Have a Job Interview Today?"

Even in the offices of an Atlanta advertising agency, it's difficult for people to throw off the mental shackles of ancient 1990's style business casual. People indoctrinated by the uber-casual style of dot com businesses have gotten used to seeing their co workers in tee shirts and jeans every day. So the first few weeks that I started wearing ties and french cuff shirts to work, I got several questions. They were all along the lines of "Do You Have a Job Interview Today?". I think these queries are meant humorously, but I always say something as a riposte.

Some days my reply is, "I'm just so good looking I had to wear a tie", or perhaps "I'm so tired of business casual, I thought I would dress well for a change." The truth is some where between these two extremes.

I actually feel more serious and professional when I dress well. This sartorial polish, coupled with a well thought out presentation, is quite useful when meeting with a client.

Since I started, I've noticed some of the guys starting to wear better dress shirts. Is it because men are competitive by nature or because there's a current trend for men to wear jackets, wool and ties? Regardless of the reason, I think the effect is for the good. Of course some of my friends in the commercial real estate business have always chosen to dress well. They know the positive effect that looking good has on people and on business.

I've had people in offices or sales tell me that they would rather be comfortable. This is how they justify wearing sweatpants to the grocery store and into the office. But, a well-fitted jacket, sweater or pants is just as comfortable. Of course, when you're invited to some one else's business or social event, it's not about expressing yourself or letting everyone see "the real you". A business or social event means that everyone shows up at a certain time dressed correctly for the event. Yes, I've seen people at business & social events in jeans or sweatpants and sneakers. I've even seen people show up at church weddings and funerals dressed "comfortably" in jeans or sweatpants. This is disrespectful or worse.

To me the suit always symbolized adult responsibility and taking the responsibilities of business and even life seriously. When I decided in my twenties to go into sales, one of my first acts was to buy a suit. Have the clothing designers and manufacturers conspired to reduce us to comfort seeking children, rather than serious adults who can make the sacrifices and make the effort that life requires to reach our goals? It's amazing to see 40 and 50 year old men in "comfortable" sweatsuits or the latest hip fashion, in places where it's not really appropriate.

But consider:
Would you hire a lawyer in jeans, a tee shirt and Crocs slippers?
Would you hire a consultant in sweatpants and flip flops?
Would you hire a job candidate in a wrinkled shirt and jeans?

Me neither.

Apparently the freedom of Business Casual easily allows people to wear jeans but does not allow the freedom to dress well, in some people's minds. But I continue, determined to dress well, regardless of the occasional comment. Now, I get a couple of good comments each week, especially from women. If my office is typical, and you're thinking about dressing well at work, I expect you will get a good response.

Let the advocates of wrinkled jeans and tee shirt conformity wear what they please. It's good that most business offices allow us wide latitude to wear what we please. I can't fault some one else for wanting to be comfortable, as long as they respect my right to dress a little differently. I'll interpret the freedom of Business Casual as my license to dress well.