I was up and out of the house by 7 am with hair done (ie. no ponytail), make up on and dressed (ie. no yoga pants).
I went to breakfast meetings, tweetup’s, business lunches and seminar’s on social media. And I did it all in heels – 4″ black Nine West Stiletto’s to be exact.
Yesterday, I met someone for lunch at the (Formerly known as) Sears Tower. As I stood in the lobby waiting, hundreds of guys rushing by with smiles on their faces and comfy shoes on their feet – all I could think about were my comfy Merrell’s that were waiting for me in the car.
It then made me think about corporate dress codes and just how silly they are when you really think about it. People should be allowed to dress in what they want for the job they have. We are grown ups.
Does the guy at McDonalds flip better burgers because of his starched button up short sleeve shirt instead of a t-shirt with the company logo? Does the kid that delivers mail in corporate america really need to be wasting the $27,000 a year his degree from an overpriced university is paying him to get his foot in the door to buy suits to wear to work? Does my wearing pajamas yoga pants all day make me less able to analyze spreadsheets and make decisions?
Ummm. NO!
“Does the guy at McDonalds flip better burgers because of his starched button up short sleeve shirt instead of a t-shirt with the company logo? ” Actually, the truth is “yes.” I’m with you that we can perform well no matter what we are wearing (within reason), but the reality is that our dress does affect how we perform – and perhaps as important for business – how we are perceived. Still – I’m with you. ditch the heels and i’ll ditch the neck ties!
There have actually been studies done which indicate people are more productive on “casual” day then when they are in the “business” atire. I am all for people being comfy in the office, but pajama bottoms and bunny slippers maybe a bit too much.
Go to this site for careerbuilder and watch the casual friday commericial…too funny. http://www.careerbuilder.com/tv/default.aspx?cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=ce0c1d9645fd46b789d6f68c22ea1c67-317987394-wd-6&ns_siteid=ns_us_g_careerbuilder_commerc_
I know we’ve spoken about this before but I couldn’t agree more. I love my heels, don’t get me wrong I wear them on my off hours pretty much all the time but having to wear them to work just doesn’t feel right. Let’s just be happy we only have to play “I’m So Corporate” periodically throughout the year….phew!
Fortunately, where I work right now is pretty casual, so I can rock my faux skater/punk looks. I put the ‘faux’ there as a qualifier that I don’t skate anything worth a damn. I just find skaters attractive.
I think people get too worked up over what to wear. If I had to wear a shirt and tie everyday in this environment, I might start to think of alternative uses of my neck-tie. So long as it’s not some ratty, tacky garment I think you’re good.
And when I own my very own company, there will be PJ Fridays. I <3 my sweatpants.
@Kim – I am sorry, but I just can’t disagree more. There is obviously a level of standard you have to work with in – but someone’s quality of work is based on their work ethic and not their clothes. I have worked in a corporate environment where we had to wear a suit every day and directly with an executive team where we wore jeans to work everyday. Guess what – the jeans company was equally profitable, successful, etc – but had lower turnover, higher employee morale, etc.
@Travis – HAHA – Obviously there is a line. (Says me as I type this in my pajamas – but no bunny slippers!)
@Mel – Isn’t that the truth! At least you are in Miami = no pantyhose
Hi Sarah!
I’ll be the first to admit that I loathe and despise corporate attire. I hate wearing high heels. They hurt my ankles. I hate wearing suits. I feel they, in a way, don’t accentuate my unique personality, and individualism that makes me DIFFERENT from other stereotypical recruiters and sales people in this city.
However.
When my client is looking for candidates who are in fact, corporately presented and “client facing” (ie, those ridiculous thousand dollar suits and and accessories) and they have charged me with screening for those candidates, how can I tell a person that they have to dress the part when I don’t?
I’m ALL FOR jeans every day. If I could wear my Converse all stars with work clothes like Ellen Degeneres so successfully and stylishly does, I would. In fact, I’ve pushed the envelope many times, only to have my boss merely look at me and shake his head. But I think if I am to be taken seriously by my candidates, who have to wear the monkey suit to get work, then I should return the respect by trying to dress up for them too.
I’m still working on this challenge. It’s a slow evolution for me. But I still won’t wear the heels. I value my ankles too much
Great post, have a great day!
@LauraVezer