Well, it’s worth getting revved up over. I (usually) work near Amazon’s HQ and it’s sartorial hell. I assume that’s where all of corporate America is headed.
Nobody is wearing ties in my office now. Suits, yes, but no ties. I suspect if you turned up with khakis, people would live with it. Of course, we don't fully know what's going to happen here just yet. I'm a member of an old club in London, which maintains a strict dress code, so at least I have reason to keep buying ties, shirts, suits, and nice shoes.
The best of The Contender so far. Printing this and posting it in my office for all of the jeans & polo-wearing people to see, with a special highlight and bolding of "I don't want to hear that they're comfortable!"
From an office worker in the poorly dressed Midwest, thank you.
I recently took a job in San Francisco, where casual attire is pretty much the norm. David as much as you may despise them, "dressy" leather sneakers are quite normal here and do make sense for commuters.
Regardless, I tossed a bunch of old office clothes during COVID and now need a new set. It's a relatively casual office in that wearing a suit (and likely even a sport coat) would likely brand me as the overzealous new guy. Thinking about a good bunch of white & blue J. Press button downs, some khakis from Jack Donnelly, and probably an unstructured blazer from Drake's.
Any recommendations on some made in the USA slacks (Sid Mashburn's slacks are too $ for me), V-neck sweaters, and shoes suitable for commuting? Suede loafers with leather soles just aren't realistic for me...
Hi Jacob, big questions here! What about some desert boots. J Crew has some good options that are affordable. Made in USA is going to make things tough. But look at Sid’s site now they are having a big sale!
I've never agreed with an article more. Personally, I still like wearing suits. However, if we're transitioning to a more casual world, this is the way to do it. I'd also like to nominate rounder toe derbies instead of sneakers.
I like to call my work - and work from home -dress code “cute professional”. Ann Mashburn and Haley and the Hound (based in Morehead City NC and online) both have great options for females!
The article reminds me of the yearly "nobody wants antiques" article that cycles between NYT and WSJ and a couple of other outlets, extolling a more casual environment (for people who are too lazy to hand wash silver or get clothes altered). It even made reference to Untuckit shirts in a tone NOT dripping with the contempt and ridicule those shirts deserve.
Thanks David! Really appreciate this article. I still wear a suit on Friday, anti the crowd, especially when I plan to go to lunch with friends or my wife. My wife expects no less, and so should my friends. It's just John, some of my friends say; but the hostess is always nicer and the service better. Dressing nicely goes with good manners in general.
I worked for one of the last two year-round biz formal investment banks on Wall St (Lazard and Blackstone were the two holdouts) and it’s possible I may have gone that direction at least partly because of dress code. 😅
On a slightly different tangent, I’ve been thinking of finally pulling the trigger on a linen suit for summer… what colors would you gravitate to for a first one?
Cream seems too Gatsby, and brown seems maybe too dark for my tastes, which leaves… sand? 🤔
Would appreciate any thoughts you might have! (And apologies if this was covered in a prior Q&A, though I don’t think I’d run across the question as of yet.)
I talked about my beloved Mueser olive linen suit in the recent packing light ("A Simple Plan") story. I think a mid-level neutral color is really good. Doesn't have to do the heavy lifting since you can wear it with a nice pale blue or pink shirt. Jake has a lot of lovely Irish linens. Surprisingly sturdy, I wear mine all the time.
This is the spiciest I’ve think I’ve ever seen a David Coggins article:
“ you decided not to wear tailored trousers … when you went down this road, so now you’re going to live with it.”
I’m rolling. love it 😂
Ha! I've been thinking about it for a few days and just got more revved up.
Well, it’s worth getting revved up over. I (usually) work near Amazon’s HQ and it’s sartorial hell. I assume that’s where all of corporate America is headed.
Nobody is wearing ties in my office now. Suits, yes, but no ties. I suspect if you turned up with khakis, people would live with it. Of course, we don't fully know what's going to happen here just yet. I'm a member of an old club in London, which maintains a strict dress code, so at least I have reason to keep buying ties, shirts, suits, and nice shoes.
The best of The Contender so far. Printing this and posting it in my office for all of the jeans & polo-wearing people to see, with a special highlight and bolding of "I don't want to hear that they're comfortable!"
From an office worker in the poorly dressed Midwest, thank you.
Thank you, Andrew!
A second tip of the hat from the Midwest. It is getting brutal in these parts.
Keep up the fight David! Athleisure is a new variant from the same pandemic of poor taste
I recently took a job in San Francisco, where casual attire is pretty much the norm. David as much as you may despise them, "dressy" leather sneakers are quite normal here and do make sense for commuters.
Regardless, I tossed a bunch of old office clothes during COVID and now need a new set. It's a relatively casual office in that wearing a suit (and likely even a sport coat) would likely brand me as the overzealous new guy. Thinking about a good bunch of white & blue J. Press button downs, some khakis from Jack Donnelly, and probably an unstructured blazer from Drake's.
Any recommendations on some made in the USA slacks (Sid Mashburn's slacks are too $ for me), V-neck sweaters, and shoes suitable for commuting? Suede loafers with leather soles just aren't realistic for me...
Hi Jacob, big questions here! What about some desert boots. J Crew has some good options that are affordable. Made in USA is going to make things tough. But look at Sid’s site now they are having a big sale!
Guess I should have clarified - not everything needs to be made in the USA. Had contemplated some Sanders boots.
Hi Jacob - for USA made trousers, check out Hertling. Extremely well made and reasonably priced!
Good call - thanks Todd.
I've never agreed with an article more. Personally, I still like wearing suits. However, if we're transitioning to a more casual world, this is the way to do it. I'd also like to nominate rounder toe derbies instead of sneakers.
I like to call my work - and work from home -dress code “cute professional”. Ann Mashburn and Haley and the Hound (based in Morehead City NC and online) both have great options for females!
All of this 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼
The article reminds me of the yearly "nobody wants antiques" article that cycles between NYT and WSJ and a couple of other outlets, extolling a more casual environment (for people who are too lazy to hand wash silver or get clothes altered). It even made reference to Untuckit shirts in a tone NOT dripping with the contempt and ridicule those shirts deserve.
Thanks David! Really appreciate this article. I still wear a suit on Friday, anti the crowd, especially when I plan to go to lunch with friends or my wife. My wife expects no less, and so should my friends. It's just John, some of my friends say; but the hostess is always nicer and the service better. Dressing nicely goes with good manners in general.
What about a Barbour gilet with Oxford and tie instead of a jacket?
Sounds good to me!
Preach!!
I worked for one of the last two year-round biz formal investment banks on Wall St (Lazard and Blackstone were the two holdouts) and it’s possible I may have gone that direction at least partly because of dress code. 😅
On a slightly different tangent, I’ve been thinking of finally pulling the trigger on a linen suit for summer… what colors would you gravitate to for a first one?
Cream seems too Gatsby, and brown seems maybe too dark for my tastes, which leaves… sand? 🤔
Would appreciate any thoughts you might have! (And apologies if this was covered in a prior Q&A, though I don’t think I’d run across the question as of yet.)
I talked about my beloved Mueser olive linen suit in the recent packing light ("A Simple Plan") story. I think a mid-level neutral color is really good. Doesn't have to do the heavy lifting since you can wear it with a nice pale blue or pink shirt. Jake has a lot of lovely Irish linens. Surprisingly sturdy, I wear mine all the time.