Going on the general level I don’t believe actually formalized dress code can help with building respect among employers or improve their performance. By the way – many of above comments pointed that casual comfortable clothes are chosen when there’s some real work to do.

Quite the different thing is with situation when I’m the customer in everyday life. If I go to buy a car I never wear suit just because guys who want my money would treat me better then. If they don’t want to have my money that’s rather their problem, not mine. I’ll find others who will treat me seriously, no matter if I wear a tie or not.

A while back I remember reading about how the fashion industry was having a hard time convincing men and boys to wear pants. Shorts were in and trying to sell denim jeans was hard for many retailers. It did not dawn on me until then, that both my sons and I wear wearing more khaki shorts than pants.

If you demand a more professional environment at work, I would recommend giving employees more training on communicating and less strict dress codes. I know that when I worked for a company with a strict dress code, it made the work environment more hostile and employees started working less after hours.

Crocs as dress shoes? No thanks! If they don’t polish, don’t wear them. At least not if you wish to be taken seriously.

I love to slack as much as the next guy, but I also want to be taken seriously, for the ILLUSION of doing work is the true slacker way. If wearing dress clothes makes me look like I’m working harder, I’m ALL for it!

Paughnee – you are so very right! Everyone has a different definition of business casual, that’s why it’s not an effective dress code. Khakis mean one thing to me and another to the gal sitting next to me. I worked at a place that had a 15 page guide on what was (and wasn’t) business casual. And honestly, it could have been 150 pages, for there STILL was wiggle room.

The lesson you learned about being “too casual” is one I’ve learned as well. Thanks for sharing your story. It was just the right length, and I appreciate your contribution to the story.

Tom – You type mahvelous! Thanks for the smile.

David – You are again our punmeister, though I’m left wondering…”Who will save YOUR sole?” Probably Allen-Edmonds.

Ala “Fernando” from Saturday Night Live, performed by Billy Crystal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZl3gGV4H6c

–tom

I guess I tend to be less casual because of an experience I had when I was younger and working for a different organization. We’d been without a director for a month or two and I guess we (the employees) had gotten rather lax about our attire. I remember that a manager from another department came in one day and made a comment about how people were dressed (even though there was not a dress code). It was a wake-up call for me. I was hoping to advance in the organization and I realized that I needed to start looking the part. So I started paying more attention to my appearance and how others might perceive me based on how I look.

My husband and I have a running joke between us that goes back to when we first started dating. I can’t remember now what brought it up, but we like to say, “It’s better to look good than to feel good.” Actually, when you look good and know it, you will probably feel good, too. And that’s way more than I intended to write, so I’ll stop here.

I love the look of tats, BTW, unless they are offensive in their content. I give points for independence and creativity to people with great TATs (not accurate all the time, but no different than giving respect to tie wearing dudes).

Yeah, yeah, put on the tie and you will get more more and better attention. Dressing up is the best strategy for individuals. BUT as managers and leaders, we need to be concerned with the culture we build.

Do you want a Desperate Housewives workplace or something along the lines of a TED vibe? I already regret that I have asked this question.

I agree, also, with the notion that women’s business attire sucks. That said, I think women can wear pants suits and shoes made much the way of men’s. Panty hose must have been invented by men – no doubt about it.

Phil – I am SHOCKED that one of the “slackers” is not endorsing the slacker way. :-)

I was at a Sherman Alexie reading where he did this whole rant on Crocs – how they are GARDEN shoes that people now wear to nice restaurants and that this is so wrong. Funny.

Mad Gringo – Sure WI needs more tropical shirts…Like we need more Packer fans wearing cheese ties to work. Really, come on. Like we need to be MORE casual here? In a state where “dressing up” means a Packer polo shirt? No thanks. I’ll wear my collared shirt and tie. Thanks.

Doug – fantastic points! And interesting research. I hadn’t even thought about the visible versus non-visible tattoos. Thanks for sharing that! Glad you enjoyed the article.

Dani – I’m not sure what you do, so I can’t say whether or not I agree, but I find myself most creative in my flannel pajamas….But I wouldn’t wear it to work. Jeans, unless you’re a construction worker, are not professional looking.

And you may not agree that clothing is the measure of someone’s work ethic, but it is. Why do most banks, unless you’re in the southern half of the US or the southern hemisphere, have folks dress UP, not down. Would you give your money to someone who can’t afford dress clothes? I wouldn’t.

David – If the rules were the same for men and for women, dress codes would be easier for managers like me to enforce. Forget pantyhose and neck ties if you will, or assume they’re close to equal pain. Cotton top with long sleeves, belt to match the shined dress shoes, dress pants (choose your material) and socks that match the pants. It’s really that simple.