Why be smart in a professional job?

Why is there a need for people to look smart if they have a professional job? People all look the same wearing suits and there is no uniqueness amongst them. Isn't being you part of what you wear? The way people dress can also express their mood.

I understand people should look professional at doing their jobs so that they look trustworthy and reliable, however if they wore their own clothes they would be much more comfortable and relaxed during their job. Rather than being stuck in a horrible suit all day when you are frustrated, wouldn't it be nice if you were in say jeans and a t-shirt?

At Apple, they have it right. All their staff wear typical "casual" clothes giving the impression the company is relaxed and cool. That is how everyone should run their lives, being relaxed. If people are relaxed during their job, they can focus more and not have things to worry about, and being in your own comforting clothes just helps that!

This also applies in some schools; there are school uniforms. I can see the reasoning with it as all the children will be "equal", however why not choose something comfortable rather than sweaty shirts and blazers? It just makes no sense? The whole "looking smart" thing is just silly.

If you are being given information from someone who is dressed in a suit rather than casual clothes, you are more likely to believe them simply because of what they are wearing. This is all so wrong! The person wearing casual clothes will most likely be able to give you the information much better simply because they are more relaxed in their own clothes, feeing more "at home".

People's attitude towards someone due to their clothing in their job is wrong and because of stereotypes, most of the world EXPECT people in professional jobs to look smart. I don't know about you but I disagree!

For more of my opinions visit my blog.

Tags: at, comfortable, home, job, professional, smart, suit

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Comment by Christina on August 3, 2009 at 12:47am: Many people that are rich wear simple no fashion cloths because they don't want other people to see their money, and some very poor people drive big cars and wear expensive looking cloths so that other people can't see how poor they are. That is not right neither ...
Never the less when applying for example of an executive job position i would definitely dress nicely because you want to appear serious about the job.

Comment by Ash on May 31, 2009 at 9:04am: You'll find that a lot of design studios have staff wearing casual clothes, because it's such a laid back and creative environment. I think that when meeting clients, smart-casual is good because it looks good and is comfortable, and you're still giving a great impression.

Comment by Sol McNally Aka : Dmitri Girl on May 28, 2009 at 10:41am: I think as most people would agree dress according to your position as LadyTech said, If you work on cleaning cars ? Look professional for cleaning cars. If you work in Fast food. Look professional for Fast Food,

As blaster said if you were selling life insurance policy's would you expect that guy in sandals ? Or would you rather buy that policy from someone who "appeared" more professional.

The world is naturally a judgemental place and to think otherwise is being blinded by your own vision of what the world "should" be like. The man always makes the clothes. And idiot is still an idiot inside a nice suit. Intelligence inside casual clothes still shines through as intelligence. First impressions are what people judge on. So put your best foot forward. I like everyone else I am assuming that commented on this have worked at a place where people though my position was lower or higher then what it was.

At my current job they always think I am higher. I am in a field where I have a lot of knowledge and carry my head held high. Being a former automotive technician and knowing a lot about cars and portraying knowledge in a confident matter is something that people either love or fear.

The same way with Fast Food. I worked there for years. And most people would rather have me tell them things then the manager. I knew all the prices. Respect is not through the clothes exactly but the person in the clothes and the clothes help an initial first response.

Comment by blaster on May 28, 2009 at 10:18am: Let me ask you this, would you buy a $1,000,000 life insurance policy from someone in a suit or wearing a t-shirt, cut-offs, and sandals?

Appearance is everything, respect is earned. That's just how it is.

Comment by Jonathan Greenlee on May 27, 2009 at 9:55am: Born Losers never feel comfotable in professional clothes, like suits. Born Winners love professional clothing - especially suits! We like wear-what-you-want dress codes because then we can identify the losers easily (they wear t-shirts) and we can recognize the winners (they are the ones who choose suits) and reward and promote them.

Sometimes the dress code is more restrictive, like at Apple. There is an unwritten uniform look that seperates the winners from the losers. Wear the wrong t-shirt and you are off the list, not invited to the inner circle meetings, not thought of when it is special reward time.

Suits will always rise to the top, T-Shirts will always be stuck in the cattle-stalls.

Comment by LADYTECH on May 27, 2009 at 9:51am: It was a mix of who was a jerk poor communicator and who wasn't, the attire said nothing about the person.

exactly what i was trying to say. We don't have a particular dress code at my place of employment. It's basically dress according to position. If your administration then dress accordingly, if your a tech then it's dress like a tech. Dress like a tech... What does that mean for me. Well, you would never tell i'm a tech. U would think I belong more in the Executive dept. but thats my choice. There are days i come in wearing 5 inch heals short dress suit and look like... well, lets say I won't be climbing no ladders or running no cables on that day.

I've had people tell my boss (he told me) How does she work like that? And my boss responded u need something done? No, they replied. then don't worry about it, he answers. The fact is that when i need something done regardless to what it is she gets it done and how she does it I dont' care.

I'm like Batgirl! Not every day I'll be running cables or checking cctv cameras that might be down, but if it happens I have a change of clothes, the skirt/dress comes off the hair goes up and the toolbelt comes on within minutes. And yes, at my job it's allowed! I've already established my position here. No "JOB" nowadays is secure that's not what i'm saying, but what i'm saying is, The quality of my work is not based on what i'm wearing but based on knowledge and those who know me have no fear !

Comment by Dan on May 27, 2009 at 9:04am: But now YOU are stereotyping! Your reasoning is nothing more then an excuse to look "grubby". The "Apple look" look makes me gag. I work with both types of people, I see nothing wrong with the way either of them communicates. Personally, I like "professionalism", focus on the job at hand and get it done, and done right. I have had CEO's that dress in jeans and casual, others that did suits. It was a mix of who was a jerk poor communicator and who wasn't, the attire said nothing about the person.

Just my two cents.
Dan

Comment by Jodi Hodge on May 27, 2009 at 8:15am: To the right of this blog was an ad displaying a women in a PINK suit - very very pink. Funny. Pre-Y2K I worked a corporate job for a women's retailer and every women there pulled off a casual/chic/trendy look that intimidated me and was exhausting! The guys all got away with khakis and T's because the "brand" that catered to them had that image. So unfair! I have had jobs where 80% staff wear suits daily; T-shirt and jeans accepted; work from home jammy wear. There are pluses and minuses of each. Personally I do not look differently on a male boss if he would wear t-shirt, jeans and a ball cap - but a female co-worker or boss in the same send a different message. I know, I know....it's not right....but...I think I am not alone in my feelings. I have a feeling our female youth is going to change things a bit - flip flops and tanks anyone?

Comment by LADYTECH on May 27, 2009 at 8:07am: Well, I see what u mean about a suit. And how people can label your type of work according to how you are dressed. Those are people who "NEED" to dress to Impress, either they have no title or no empowerment in there place of work and they think dressing in a suit ( referring to man or woman) gives them that sense of authority. But a suit shouldn't make a person,
Although to people that's exactly what a suit does.

I know some people at my place at work that they wear nothing but suits (I work mostly/majority with men) and they do it with the intentions of making themselves feel/look important. I don't need a skirt/suit. I am who I am.

All of the sudden they become empowered. As for me I don't care what I wear, U better give me the utmost respect regardless to what I'm wearing because I've earned it. I've earned my place at the top. So i can come in on dress down Fridays with flip flops (example) and u better respect me as If i walked in here with the President of the U.S.

But i see what u mean about how some people view that as defining a position of authority. FOr some reason if a person comes in from the street they also think the man with the suit is the important one.
Don't be fooled... because the girl with the hot red lipstick, stilletos and big hair can be so much more.

Comment by E. Douglas Jensen on May 27, 2009 at 7:33am: People do NOT all look the same wearing suits, you need to be more aware and observant of style. When I wear a suit, it is "my own clothes," and I am not "being stuck in a horrible suit," I buy suits because I like how I look in them and how comfortable it feels when I wear them (look through a copy of GQ). BTW, I have about a hundred ties, all very elegant and unique (search Google and eBay for Pancaldi ties for example), average price at least $100 each, I get a lot of compliments on them, they are part of "me." I dress like a human being and do great work. On weekends, I wear a sport jacket and khakis because I like to. I don't own a single T shirt or pair of jeans or shorts.