Last edited by my cat, Figaro (2007-03-16 12:27:54)

If anyone were to question my braces, I'd simply reply Al Qaeda shmaeda, it's crucial that my trousers fit properly.

London is generally more forgiving, because the workplace is much more international than NY too. In my office, there is a well-respected senior person who looks like he has not left academia yet, with his LLBean backpack. There is an English genius who looks really really young who has a good (but eccentric) taste in clothes, constantly made fun of in the New York office, but I think quite well loved in the London office. I personally lean towards business casual euroconservative styling. I don't think people would consider it an affront if I dressed above my level of seniority. I think your relationship with other people and how much respect people have for you (regardless of your age/seniority) matters a lot too. But then I also work on the trading floor - and the trading floor environment in London I find very collegial and friendly. Banking might be a lot more hierarchical.

Last edited by sloaney (2007-03-16 16:36:55)

It's probably also prudent to undergo changes in personal style relatively slowly -- frog in boiling water and all that ...

Working in Japan, I'm automatically singled out. The upside is that I can get away with more in terms of dress, though in my current position I wouldn't attempt a DB. What amazes me, rather, is what awful things people get away with wearing at the office. I can only imagine the kind of brow-beating I'd give some of these people if I were a senior manager.

I had an interesting discussion the other day with one of my coworkers, who's somewhat more sophisticated than most. He noticed my Zegna Twin tie and got on the sublect of clothing. The subject of shoes came up and the difficulty of finding my size in Japan, which led to a discussion about custom shoes. When I said I knew of a maker and mentioned a price, he remarked that his wife would never stand for it no matter what. Fortunately, I'm not laboring under any such constraints.

I also doubt that anyone at work will notice when my wardrobe gradually transitions from MTM to bespoke. If it registers at all, if will be subconsciously, and besides, I think my competence gives me latitude to dress impeccably. And since I'm the one paying for my wardrobe, I consider dressing well to be a professional skill.

I am considering a switch to a law firm that is meaner and more corporate than my present one, where I wear braceback trousers and a waistcoat without a thought.  I think the way to "break in" my new colleagues would be wear a white shirt with these (quite conservative, but in a British way) suits for several weeks at the beginning.  That way, the suits are just suits, and I am not seen as obviously attempting to make any clothing statements.  On the other hand, wearing a suit at all might be considered making a clothing statement.

I first saw this thread after arriving at my office today, I promise; and here’s one data point.  I arrived for work wearing a 6X2 DB medium grey flannel suit, navy/white mini checked broadcloth shirt with full roll, high band button down collar, navy silk knit tie, tan/navy striped grosgrain suspenders, chestnut half brogue oxfords, paisley silk pocket square with navy ground and tan/rust/brown figures worn puffed and pointed; everything RTW. Oh, and a silver collar pin worn as a tie bar.  Since  arrival, I’ve received two “dappers” and several “are-you-in-court-todays?”; no negative comments. It’s hard to imagine a more conservative environment than where I work: think US government agency full of lawyers.  Yet this is the way I’ve always dressed and I don’t remember ever hearing or experiencing anything negative, directlly or indirectly, with regard to my attire.  On the other hand, I’m sixty and I’ve been doing what I do successfully for well more than thirty years.