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Tie Tuesdays

GateXC

One of the Regulars
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From the LA Times:

Casual Is Working Full Time
Corporate suits take a leave of absence as dress codes become more relaxed. But the trend has created a backlash. `Tie Tuesday,' anyone?
By Molly Selvin, Times Staff Writer
August 11, 2006


On those rare occasions when insurance executive Tara Guizot wears a suit to her Century City office, "people invariably ask me if I'm interviewing for a new job," she said.

The trend toward casual dress has gone so far that Matt Smith, a 27-year-old Century City lawyer, is on a quest to establish "Tie Tuesday." He would like to wear a suit to work but knows he'd be ridiculed. Instead, Smith dons a tie every Tuesday and hopes other men in his office will follow. So far a couple have.

"It's just something fun," he said.

Forget casual Fridays. In many workplaces, it's casual everyday as corporate dress codes have gone the way of fedoras and white gloves.

Office workers, from executives to receptionists, now wear pretty much what they want, sometimes baring more cleavage, tattoos and body fat than co-workers care to see.

The sartorial style pioneered by the T-shirt-and-jeans-wearing technology moguls of Silicon Valley more than a decade ago has spread even to law offices, accounting firms and corporate headquarters — bastions of tradition that had kept generations of Brooks Brothers salesmen busy teaching customers how to fold silk pocket squares.

Polo shirts, sweater sets and tailored slacks — what many companies consider "business casual" — have given way to halter tops, rubber flip-flops, T-shirts and jeans.

The trend has even sparked a mini-backlash among professionals opting for a more buttoned-down look.

"Wearing a tie used to be a sign of conformity. But dressing down is now conformity and dressing up is rebellious," said Robert Stephens, who founded the Geek Squad, Best Buy Co.'s computer repair service. Squad members sport short-sleeve white shirts and black ties.

Credit younger workers, who bring a who-cares-what-I-wear attitude to their cubicles, for the casual-everyday trend. The hip-hugging jeans and silk-screened tees they favor have caught on with aging baby boomers, many of whom started their careers with a closet full of pinstriped "power" suits. Many women believe they no longer need to look suited-up like men to be taken seriously in the office.

Today's casual dress also reflects the needs of parents who want to be comfortable as they race from staff meetings to their kids' soccer practice.

Employers who once took a hard line on suits and pantyhose realized they risked losing valued staff members unless they lightened up. Many see their relaxed dress codes as a potential recruiting tool.

"It really helps us, specifically with Gen X and Y workers," said Miriam Wardak, senior vice president for ICF International, a Virginia-based consulting firm, adding that some younger workers have told her they would not consider a potential employer if they had to wear a suit and tie.

But today's lax dress codes are raising tough questions for managers about what's acceptably casual and what's too sloppy, offensive or revealing.

Most companies have dress codes, whether formal or informal. "Companies want neat and clean, a notch above what you might wear at home," said John Challenger, who heads outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. But some workplaces seem to have abandoned hope of even that.

Packaged food giant General Mills Inc., which had formal rules until the mid-1990s, now simply asks employees to "dress for your day," spokeswoman Kirstie Foster said. The company suggests that "traditional business attire may be more appropriate on days when employees have meetings scheduled with customers or external clients."

Credit — or blame — luminaries such as T-shirt-and-jeans donning Steve Jobs, chief executive of Apple Computer Inc., for the demise of neckties and pencil skirts. If they could doff their suits and still get rich, many people figured they should be free to do the same, Challenger said.

Generational shifts also explain the move to casual.

Baby boomers "felt compelled to express themselves through work and to be winners in that arena," said Peter Rose, a partner with the marketing research firm Yankelovich Inc. The mannish dress-for-success suits with floppy bows many young women wore in the early 1980s were testament to that ambition, he said.

But as Gen-Xers entered the workforce in the late 1980s, "they didn't feel as compelled to exhibit that sense of 'I have to be a winner,' " Rose said, even though many are just as driven.

Gen-Yers, also called echo boomers — roughly those between 18 and 26 years old — have an "even more relaxed set of standards and they especially don't like to be told what to do," Rose said. A bare midriff or cargo pants may look sloppy to a baby boomer, he said, "but to an echo it says, 'I need to be comfortable.' " An echo boomer "thinks nothing of wearing a nose ring to an interview," while boomers or Gen-Xers "would think you're out of your mind," Rose said.

At 29, Olga Shmuklyer, a New York public relations consultant, straddles the line between Gen X and Gen Y.

"My generation just wants to be comfortable in our work," she said, "but I can see how older people might look at us and think we're too casual."

The same goes for older workers juggling kids, ailing parents and their own leisure activities.

"People are so busy now," said Marshal Cohen, chief analyst at NPD Group, a marketing information company. "They're more and more into a universal product, something they can wear to work and to the gym.

"No one goes home between each activity anymore; they don't have the time or the gas," he said.

The fashion industry has capitalized on the casual shift in wardrobe tastes, Cohen said, with $250 jeans and $300 jeweled flip-flops.

Yet even some designers profiting from the trend are surprised by how casually employees dress these days.

"When I was in college working at Marshall Field's, you couldn't wear open-toed shoes and you always had to wear hose, no matter how sweltering the summer," recalled Anne Cashill, director of corporate merchandising and design at Liz Claiborne Inc. Now she sees "things I'd never dream of wearing to work," including a woman on her floor who recently wore a bra-less halter top.

"Like, who does that?" she said.

"We're contributors to this situation," Cashill admitted. The New York-based company owns the ultra-casual Juicy Couture and Lucky Brand Jeans lines. "For many of our businesses it's a very good thing," she said of the casual trend.

The popularity of casual shoes has stomped out one of the last office dress no-no's — bare toes.

Guizot, an insurance company vice president, said her workplace lifted that ban about a year ago. Employees are still asked not to wear rubber flip-flops, she said, "but many do."

However, supervisors at other companies recount awkward conversations when employees cross the line.

At Merit Cos., employees whose attire violates the firm's written dress code — for example, those in shorts, flip-flops or halter tops — are sometimes sent home to change.

Most recognize their slip-up and take the gentle reprimand in stride, said Angela Genaro, human resources director at the Aliso Viejo-based property management firm.

"It always surprises me when an employee says, 'Oh, when I got dressed this morning, I thought this might be questionable,' " she said.

But at some high-tech companies, even rubber flip-flops don't raise an eyebrow.

"Flip-flops are my summertime shoes," said Vicki Parker, 28, a procurement manager at MySpace.com in Beverly Hills. On a recent workday, Parker was wearing jeans, an aqua tank top trimmed with lace and the ubiquitous black beach shoes.

She and her colleagues work extremely long hours so "it's nice to be in an environment that's not so uptight" about appearance, she said, although they do dress up for meetings with customers.

The slide toward weekend clothing has now sparked a bit of a countertrend, said Cohen.

Boomers especially are dressing up, he said, trying to "separate themselves from younger generations." So are ambitious junior professionals.

The reversal is most evident among men. Sales of men's tailored clothing totaled $5.1 billion during the 12 months ended in May, compared with $4.6 billion in the previous year, according to NPD. Sales of women's tailored items have been flat.

Victoria Johnson said she never bought into business casual. "To me it means business sloppy," said the 47-year-old, who heads her own Los Angeles-based management consulting firm.

Attired in a navy straight skirt, matching jacket, heels and yes, pantyhose, Johnson said she believes "your appearance is your calling card; it speaks before you open your mouth."

A good first impression — or at least a memorable one — is what Stephens wanted 12 years ago when he started Geek Squad. His ""aha" moment came after seeing the movie "Apollo 13" a year later.

"Everyone at NASA's mission control was wearing a uniform — black pants, short-sleeved white shirts and a clip-on tie. They just didn't know it.

"NASA doesn't even dress that way anymore," Stephens added, but his customers like it.
 

Matt Deckard

Man of Action
Messages
10,045
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A devout capitalist in Los Angeles CA.
Rob Manning chief engineer of the Mars Pathfinder Mission explained to me about 7 years ago that they were all sitting at Mission control for a Florida launch and they decided that the ties were just overdoing it. The crowd and the reporters save the ones on camera were all dressed down and the engineers at their instruments felt dated and lifeless. Like they walked out of Apollo 13. Of course everytime I hang out with him nowadays he loves my look... though he's always wearing a polo shirt and khakis. Standard wear for the men and women at Mission control.

Tie Tuesday sounds good. How about tie launch day?
 

MK

Founder
Staff member
Bartender
Weird

Now compare that to this article I just read in The Columbian

Employer's new motto: tuck and cover

Sunday, August 13, 2006
By CAMI JONER Columbian staff writer


Whether it's overly casual Fridays, tension between generations or more conservative East Coast fashion trends, business managers here are issuing stricter rules on what's not to be worn at work.

"They're making it clear, right down to the number of inches above the knee a skirt can be worn," said Kathy Condon, a Vancouver executive coach and corporate trainer.

She thinks it's a pendulum swing in the right direction.

"Casual clothes do not make a good first impression," Condon said.

Consultants like Condon as well as many Vancouver and Clark County personnel managers are noticing the change. And they say that tougher dress code standards are in response to what some call the "loss of a sense of appropriateness" among workers, especially those under 30.

Many are saying goodbye to casual Fridays.

Kelly McDonald, manager of four Clark County Title Co. offices, did away with dress-down, casual Fridays two years ago when he took the job. McDonald, 52, said the company does business every day of the week. Friday is no exception.

"Most of our positions meet with the public," he said.

However, McDonald kept the title company's general "business casual" guidelines. The policy does not require men to wear ties, as long as they don shirts with collars and pressed slacks. Dress pants or skirts paired with blouses work for women. No T-shirts, sweatshirts or denim allowed.

McDonald said he'd prefer an even more formal dress policy. But he probably won't risk affecting employee morale by changing what's already in place, he said.

Forcing image

Experts say each generation defines "business attire" differently.

Princess Di's tailored suits and Reagan-influenced power dressing launched the 1980s careers of baby-boom managers, while Generation Xers adopted the casual business code of 1990's dotcom executives.

Conservative dress came back in fashion with the dotcom crash in 2000, said Gwen Mazer, president of San Francisco-based Total Image Management.

"Torn jeans and baseball caps were OK for a while. Now there's been a tightening of standards," said Mazer, who works with companies to help them define corporate image.

Twenty-somethings, or Generation Y employees, are the group most often confused by the changes.

"There's not really been a precedent for them to follow," Mazer said. "That's one of the reasons we're seeing codes tighten."

Corporate image

It's also why Riverview Bancorp's Krista Holland says it's important to educate new employees on acceptable workplace attire.

"The average (bank) teller is 22 years old, so they don't necessarily know the difference," said Holland, senior vice president of human resources.

She also sends a companywide memo each spring.

"I try to remind people their appearance still matters on 90-plus (degree) days," she said.

Mazer said she still sees lax dress codes among San Francisco's frontline bank personnel.

"Some young women are dressed more appropriately for a date than for work," she said.

Widening definitions of workplace harassment also make employers skittish when employees wear provocative clothes. In today's work environment where complimenting a coworker's weight loss can be misinterpreted as sexual misconduct, low-rider pants and short tops don't belong, say experts.

"There's a possibility that some of the fashionable scantiness of women's clothing could create a situation for sexual harassment," Mazer said.

The workplace tension has forced some managers to re-establish written policy, usually done in one of two ways, said Sandy Moore, co-owner of Image Talks.

With offices in Seattle and Portland, Moore helps companies redefine their dress standards.

"They're either specific about what is and is not acceptable, or they provide more generalized guidelines that rely on getting employees on board," she said.

For some, it helps to let employees compose their own code.

That's what worked for Beacock's Music when the company moved into its larger, more modern store last year, said Gayle Beacock, co-owner of the family-owned Vancouver music store.

"We wanted to kick our professionalism up a notch," she said.

Organized discussions with the store's 74 full- and part-time employees -- from young rock guitarists to white-haired cello instructors -- helped outline the new store's corporate culture.

"We figured out we wanted a team feeling that respects the people who come into our store," Beacock said.

Employees came up with a uniform which includes a button-down store-logo shirt paired with approved slacks or skirts.

"That way, our customer knows who works here and they know we've taken some time to look professional," Beacock said.

The consistent dress code is bound to make an important first impression on clients, said image consultant Sandy Moore.

"I can't emphasize it enough," she said. "Everything is framed by how you present yourself from the start."

Basic human instinct is a major factor.

Humans have outlasted other species in part because we can make snap decisions, Moore said. In today's workplace, the crucial fight-or-flight instinct tells us whether we trust a person from the very first glance.

That's why even the most liberal companies expect staff to make a good first impression.

Even at Vancouver's advertising firm, Rocketshop, where the dress code is relaxed, employees must wear business attire for meetings with clients, said Carol Lindstrom, company partner and vice president of client services.

In the creative environment, "Every day is casual Friday," Lindstrom said. "But when we're visiting customers, we adhere to their code."

The policy makes sense to San Francisco consultant Mazer, who predicts companies will continue to set higher dress standards.

"I call it more a sense of appropriateness," she said. "So many people have lost perspective of what's appropriate for business versus what's appropriate for their personal lives."

To Mazer, clothing is a language that speaks volumes about the wearer.

"Like it or not, employees and their image represent their company's brand," she said. "I think more companies are becoming conscious of what their brand stands for and how their employees represent that brand."

In consultant Condon's view, casual Friday is on its way out. They've already disappeared in highly visible service businesses such as banks, law firms and CPA offices.

"I'm talking about shorts and flip-flops. These are driving employers crazy," Condon said.

Her definition of professional dress is pant suits and skirts with jackets for women; blazers and ties for men.


WHAT'S OUT AT THE OFFICE

Flip-Flops. Banned by employers from the stuffiest bank to casual clothier Old Navy, where a company spokeswoman said staff wear them only when promoting a product.

Men's untucked dress shirts. Better suited for Hollywood or Silicon Valley, reported the Wall Street Journal.

Miniskirts. Unless the hemline is no higher than two inches above the knee, experts say.

Provocative clothing. The list includes revealing apparel, such as halter tops, crop tops, spaghetti straps, backless or low-cut clothing, low-rider pants and short shorts.

Clothing with slogans. These are bound to offend somebody.

Observable lack of undergarments or exposed undergarments. This drives managers crazy.

Piercings and tattoos. They express individualism, but don't do much for the corporate image. "Take out all but two earrings and cover your tattoos," said Kathy Condon, Vancouver corporate trainer.
 

matei

One Too Many
Messages
1,015
Location
England
The company I work for doesn't have a "casual Friday" persay. The most one can get away with is "no tie Friday".

"Casual Day" occurs perhaps once a month, usually in connection with some charity. You can wear your jeans and trainers, but you are expected to donate some change at the front door to whatever charity is sponsoring the day.

Needless to say, I usually wear a tie every day of the week. :p
 

Paisley

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,439
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Indianapolis
"People are so busy now," said Marshal Cohen, chief analyst at NPD Group, a marketing information company."

"No one goes home between each activity anymore; they don't have the time or the gas," he said.

Ah yes, the good old days when everybody worked from 9 to 3 and took a 2-hour lunch, went home for tea at 4, had dinner at the club and went to the opera. The chauffer shuttled their 2.1 children from piano to ballet lessons; the governess bandaged the boys' skinned knees. Things are sooo much more frantic now!

"They're more and more into a universal product, something they can wear to work and to the gym."

In that order, let us hope.
 
"The average (bank) teller is 22 years old, so they don't necessarily know the difference," said Holland, senior vice president of human resources. "

Oh geez, they don't know how to dress and no one is teaching them. What are they raised by wolves? Someone has to be teaching their children how to dress that is too much of a blanket statement even for me to accept.
I do absolutely love this though:

"Flip-Flops. Banned by employers from the stuffiest bank to casual clothier Old Navy, where a company spokeswoman said staff wear them only when promoting a product.

Men's untucked dress shirts. Better suited for Hollywood or Silicon Valley, reported the Wall Street Journal.

Miniskirts. Unless the hemline is no higher than two inches above the knee, experts say.

Provocative clothing. The list includes revealing apparel, such as halter tops, crop tops, spaghetti straps, backless or low-cut clothing, low-rider pants and short shorts.

Clothing with slogans. These are bound to offend somebody.

Observable lack of undergarments or exposed undergarments. This drives managers crazy.

Piercings and tattoos. They express individualism, but don't do much for the corporate image. "Take out all but two earrings and cover your tattoos," said Kathy Condon, Vancouver corporate trainer."

The highlighted ones bother me the most. Geez, they are going to work not the beach. Grow up and dress like a man/woman. I am sure someone has told their offspring this more than once. ;) I have it in reserve for when I might need it.

Regards,

J
 

Paisley

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,439
Location
Indianapolis
At the CPA firm where I work, some of the partners here charge $300 or more per hour for their services. I don't know about anyone else, but if I were paying someone $300 per hour to, say, help defend me in court or represent me to the IRS, I'd expect that person to wear a suit and tie (or equivalent attire for ladies). Why? because the judge, the IRS, and I are going to take them more seriously than if they were wearing, well, pretty much anything else. I don't want a surfer dude or a Britney Spears wanna-be representing my interests.

We deal with cases where fortunes are at stake. Again, if I were a client in such a case, I wouldn't give a darn whether my CPA would feel more comfortable if he were dressed for the beach, or doesn't have time to change before his workout, or doesn't want to be overdressed for soccer practice.
 

mysterygal

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,667
Location
Washington
It's just sad. It really says something about how lazy people have gotten when it comes to their attire when men shy away from putting on a tie because of a concern that they may be ridiculed. I witness this quite a lot when going into office buildings, both women and men wear basically shorts and shirt and call themselves professional. I really do hope this trend starts shifting into the right direction!
 

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