Work clothes? Do they make a difference?

[Kathy]

I know there are many jobs out there that require a uniform.
In these cases its a way to identify the worker with the company...and the service.

Nurses, electricians, plumbers, the cable guy.....

But what about jobs that don't require a uniform and you are allowed a wide range of clothing options.

Do you think they make a difference?

I would guess that business casual would be the most appropriate with modest blouses, slacks, closed toe shoes. Does it help with job performance reviews?

What do you think?

[spasmo]

I think this is dependant on your job, the corporate culture and to some extent the city you are in. At my job it is expected that I look professional. My clothes should show that I respect our customers and elected officials, I am trustworthy, I have expertise, I understand that every situation is "unique", I am willing to think creatively to solve problems and I am approachable. This would be a good place to add that the most common bumper sticker I see in town is "keep Austin weird". I translate these things to mean that I don't have to wear closed toe shoes (except when it is cold), and I can even go a bit wild with my earrings. Even given these things, I know that it is important to represent my place of employment in an appropriate manner and look professional.

[pednurse]

I really think it depends a lot on the company environment. Personally, all I ever wore were white uniforms or scrubs, being a nurse. But my DH is at his 3rd company since starting work after college. His first company (major computer company in Oregon) was so laid back that it was not unusual to see people coming in wearing slippers (and pj's!) and other such non-professional garb (DH wore jeans/jeans shorts & T-shirts). The only people that dressed professionally at the company were the ones who worked directly with the public (like the marketing people). His current job, on the other hand, has required a whole new wardrobe, but not suits-----he and the other employees wear dress slacks (like khakis) and button-up shirts, but only put on ties when they have customers to meet with. So it's a lot more dress-up than his previous job, but still not as dressy as a lot of places. I really think you just need to get a feel for the specific work environment where you are and go from there.

[Tracy]

ABSOLUTELY! If people notice you take the extra time to have clean/ironed/nice clothes they will automatically show more respect. My boss tries not to tell us what to wear but he lets us know that woman should wear skirts and have taken pride in ourself.

[YellowRoseTex]

I do think in most places in makes a difference. I don't have to dress up for my job, but know that when I do, I feel different and I think I project a more professional attitude.

In my current place of employment though, I am not sure how much of a difference it makes as I have seen some very sloppy work attire and know that these people make more than I do. I've actually seen one gal come to work looking like she was heading to the beach. *omg*

I remember my first full time bookkeeping job where skirts or dresses were required. I tried to wear pants one time and was called into the owner's office. :eek: Times sure have changed.

[blondgrl]

In my workplace, there is a pretty casual, but neat overall dress code. When there is a meeting or you are representing the agency, it is expected that the women wear dress slacks/blouses or skirts and men would wear dress pants and shirts. I've noticed that I feel much more self-assured when I am dressed neatly and professional. But, I can get by with adding my own individual touches to my outfits/jewelry with no problems. I think it's the individual and their personal motivation that truly creates a good employee , but in this day and age, neatness and making a good first impression does count in an employers eyes.

[Luvmabug]

Where I work, I wear a company issued uniform. At times, I would really like to work where I had to dress nice.
I used to wear jeans when I ran my everyday errands, but now I like to dress up a bit. I have noticed a big difference in the way others treat me, at the grocery store, hall of records and office buildings. My height and weight can remain the same, but there is more respect and helpfulness given when I'm dressed nicer. I guess it goes back to a saying I like, "to be successful, you have to look successful."

[YellowRoseTex]

As today is Friday, I only had to work 4 hours. Most Fridays I don't bother too much with my hair, don't wear jewlrey and just throw on a pair of jeans and a shirt. I woke up this morning and decided to fix my hair, put on earrings and a necklace and wear a nice shirt. What a difference it makes! I had a doctor appt this afternoon and she even commented that I looked good. I also had to run a few errands and I noticed a difference in the clerk's attitude. So, I do think that clothes definetly make a difference, in your attitude and in how others perceive you. I was even productive in my limited time at the office. :D

[Mori]

Clothes definitely make a difference. Whatever your dress code is in the workplace, clean & pressed is always mandatory if you want to look polished & well groomed. An unkempt appearance on the job scores no points & affects how others view you in general. :cheering:

[crunchies0313]

I really think it does make a difference, but it makes more of a difference if you deal wiht customers, or people outside your own company!! It reminds me of a story I was told about IBM meeting with Locusts ( I hope thats right!!). Well those of you who don't know IBM is very very dressy, navy blue suits with red ties!! They walk in to talk about merging and the Locusts company were in flip flops and shorts!!! Very uncomfortable. Well long story short IBM tried to meet again with them, so they wore jeans, but didn't feel professional.

I don't know if that even made sense. But yes I think clothing makes the person! Or at least a certain view of themselves!

[Kate]

Outside of work (since I wear scrubs everyday), I feel better about myself when I feel cute. When I'm wearing my bum around clothes and go run errands, I realize that I don't make eye contact as much nor feel as outgoing. This also goes for having a bad hair day and having breakouts on my face. :eek:
So now I try to look cute when I go out of my apt. Plus, you never know who you'll meet. :p

[jcme]

Definitely. I think people need to dress appropriately for the environment they work in. People who dress too casually in a professional environment are not respected as much as those who dress appropriately.

The company I work for is now business casual (when I started women had to wear skirted suits or dresses). Occassionally teams would allow people to wear casual clothes because of team outings or office moves. One time our team outting ended up being cancelled at the last minute so were dressed in our jeans and sneakers. I was transfering projects and eneded up needing to meet with them. :eek: I felt so out of place since I wasn't dressed appropriately. I don't think I got less respect that day, but my new team did a good job of harassing me. :D

It goes the other way too. There are problems overdressing for the work environement. After we went business casual I wore a suit because I had a grad school presentation that evening. I was teased all day about being overdressed and I kept getting asked if I was interviewing for another job. :)

[kaegea]

Every company has their own culture and it is good to be in touch with it. Nowadays some are so overall laid back...dressing even middle of the road can look stuffy...
For the most part however;...I counsel my staff who mostly desire to expand their careers and move on, to dress for the next job they want...everyday!
That means jeans with a blazer and hard sole shoes on casual day...not a t-shirt and sneakers.
Kaegea

[Kayaking]

I'm an Executive V.P. of a firm and we're "business casual" for Monday to Thursday and "casual" on Friday -- which means that neat jeans & sneakers are OK on Fridays (but no rips or tears) and are not OK the rest of the week. But "business casual" does NOT mean dressing like you're going on a picnic, or to the beach!!

"Business casual" does not include bare legs and sandals; proper "business casual" attire includes stockings. (This was a discussion that I had not too long ago with an employee, and really didn't think should be necessary!)

When in doubt, info is available on the internet, including good examples of what's acceptable. A skirt and stockings always looks a little dressier than slacks; and a jacket or cardigan sweater is a fast and easy way to dress up either a skirt or slacks outfit.

And as kaegea wrote, dressing for the next job you want is absolutely the best approach of all. After all, if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and walks like a duck, someone is bound to think it's a duck....and that's also true of someone who looks like a manager and talks like a manager...!

[SouthDakotaSherry]

This is one I struggle with. I really like dressing up, but as a teacher in a low socioeconomic school, too dressed up turns the kids off. They seem to relate best when I am in jeans. I used to wear more dresses, but have gone to more slacks the last year or so. The other problem is that when I dress up the shoes kill my feet. I am on these feet all day and have to be comfy.

[She_Ra]

First, I chuckle at the thought of a male boss hinting that women should wear skirts...how medival. However, it doesn't change the fact that for most of us, when it comes to our jobs it's "When in Rome...do as the Roman's do!"

I have a great job and supervise over 100 employees. My crew often jokes that I am a true candidate for "What NOT to Wear!" If I were a sensitive type I might get offended by that, instead I use it as a moral lesson for many of the women who work for me...I share with them that EVERYONE should be clean, neat and presentable, however a woman doesn't neat to derive her identity from carrying the "right" handbag, wearing the "right" shoes or having this year's label smacked on her butt.

Make no mistake...I have clothes I wear for everyday on the job, different clothes I wear for meetings and if I know that someone from home office is coming I might even put on some make-up that day (instead of just foundation and lip balm). We can't be so naive as to not realize that we live in a visual society. Study after study have proven that what a person wears, how they carry themselves, etc. impact everything from first impressions to salaries. I think as long as a person realizes that and they are dressing to "play the game" that's great...but self esteem comes from within...

I think that country song "Redneck Woman" has a line in it that says it all...."I can buy the same D*** thing on a Wal-mart shelf half price...and still look just as sexy for my man"

:p

[triplej2676]

it depends on the job. if you are customer-facing, then it isn't even a question. at my office, there is no dress code, but no one abuses it at all. somedays we dress up, some days we dress down. but when we know we are going to have visitors, we all dress up and reflect a professional image. i do get more respect when i look nice.

[lraine]

What about hair color? Has anyone noticed that a change of hair color makes a differance in the way one is treated???? I started off as a platnum blond, had a great job but not taken seriously. I went dark brown with red highlights and all of a sudden I was expected to do more work. I caught on fast and gradually went back to blond. What a difference. I am still respected but people treat me with a "fun" attitude. I prefer blond. What about you?