https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 30 Apr 2026 19:35:00 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear/page/2#post-1325096 Thu, 07 Aug 2014 02:38:48 +0000 Thistle 1325096@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>After having to wear suits in my early career, and cheap ones at that as it was all I could afford, I am never ever looking back. Bring on the jeans and tees! Granted I currently work at a kahkis and polo place, but still, I am a fan of comfort and machine washable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear/page/2#post-1325079 Thu, 07 Aug 2014 02:25:09 +0000 ironkurtin 1325079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't miss the suit. It makes me appreciate it more when boys clean up nice. Frankly, a well-fitting suit us a thing of beauty but cheap suits are terrible - much more than cheap jeans and tees. Also, much easier to launder casual clothes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324914 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 23:04:24 +0000 Aida 1324914@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cathy, thanks for sharing that comic! I giggled into my tea and spat a little on my keyboard ;)</p> <p>Rachy,&nbsp;'<i>it's all about establishing a "new, better" norm. A comfortable norm.' </i>That is my feeling as well. While the Boomers and GenX may have started the buck of conventionalism, this younger group doesn't seem to have the same attitude about it at all. What you wrote seems much more in line with what I've seen.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324780 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 19:32:09 +0000 rachylou 1324780@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I think the Baby Boomers started it. The snowball just got big enough to see with Gen X.</p> <p>But I don't think it's about bucking the norms at all. I think it's all about establishing a "new, better" norm. A <i>comfortable</i> norm.</p> <p>And also blocking and containing MarCom. Lol. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324740 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 18:00:44 +0000 cciele 1324740@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Saw this comic today </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324661 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 15:42:28 +0000 Aziraphale 1324661@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bring it on.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'd argue that the trend toward informality in the workplace is related to the inherent rebelliousness of Generation X, which is now in its peak earning years. It's not the hoodie-wearing 20-something Millenials that sparked this change, although they are part of it now, too. Gen X values individuality and tends to embrace informal dress. It&nbsp;has always positioned itself in opposition to authority. Now it IS authority, which is ironic and funny. We started out as so-called slackers (or at least that's how the media labeled us in the early 90s), but many members of Gen X are actually hardworking,&nbsp;innovative and entrepreneurial (look at Angie and Greg). But I think the tendency toward distrusting authority has carried over, and we see that in the&nbsp;more casual dress norms of the current era. </p> <p>It also helps that so much of the new technology that has taken over the world in the past 20 years, and that is responsible for so much job creation,&nbsp;was initially developed by younger people. Tech companies changed the face of business. 20 years ago, if&nbsp;your whole company was pretty much&nbsp;made up of people under the age of forty, were you going to wear a suit? It's true that now tech companies have a wider range of ages (after all, the oldest Gen Xers are in their early fifties now), but the trend was started and I doubt it will change.</p> <p>Maybe the pendulum will swing the other way as the next generation grows up. Maybe more formal business attire will come back. But for now, I'll take my jeans, casual tops&nbsp;and "eccentric" shoes and be on my merry way. I'm happy to let somebody else wear a stuffy suit and&nbsp;tie or prissy pumps and&nbsp;sheath dress. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324609 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 14:13:07 +0000 texstyle 1324609@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Aida and Sveta. Although I will add that a traditional "suit" is not a great thing at all - dry cleaning chemicals mean that some pretty bad toxins are being released in our neighborhoods and worn on our bodies in the name of "style".&nbsp; They've gotten better but only marginally so - they used to be terribly carcinogenic from what I've read. A suit that can actually be washed and ironed sans toxic chemicals would be absolutely great. Not to mention ties that sometimes are *never* cleaned - YUK! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324604 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 13:52:43 +0000 Niki Lea 1324604@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In my work environment men wear suits, or at least a shirt and tie, for part of the year. During the summer our workwear can be more casual. It's a nice break from being so formal every day. </p> <p>But I agree with the article. I once had a boss who wore a suit every day no matter what and he had a reputation for being stuffy and rigid. Someone actually gave him advice to dress down once in a while to help him relate to his staff. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324589 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 13:05:17 +0000 Laurinda 1324589@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It reminds me of a '70s&nbsp;Dr. Pepper (soda) jingle:<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;[By Randy Newman even ]</p> <p>"I drink Dr. Pepper and I'm proud<br />I'm part of an <i>original crowd!</i>"</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324565 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 12:02:01 +0000 Traci 1324565@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dianthus,<br />I think there is such range in what "having a tattoo" can mean that most people aren't really lumping a guy with a face tattoo and a mom with a small tattoo on her ankle together. &nbsp;He's still standing out as an individual and outside the norm. &nbsp;I do think that as tattoos became more accepted, we started seeing more and more people who wanted to make a statement with their tattoos going to more extremes, like necks and full sleeves, etc. &nbsp;Even though more people have some ink than not, most have it in a subtle, socially acceptable way.</p> <p>I find the idea of wanting to stand out, but blend in with your pack interesting. &nbsp;I noticed it a couple of years ago looking at the street style pics from fashion week. &nbsp;There was a definite uniform going on with the young and stylish, so much so that it was almost comical when they stood in a group. &nbsp;Yet their outfits were clearly designed to set them apart from the masses. &nbsp;It's a weird dynamic, to me,&nbsp;of conforming to a small group so as to stand out in a larger group.</p> <p>It comes down to the age old question of authenticity. &nbsp;Back in my day the word for it was "poser". &nbsp;If someone tries to throw on the uniform, but doesn't have the credibility to back it up...well, as they say, it all comes out in the wash. &nbsp;Some dude is only going to get by with red cons for about 5 seconds if he doesn't know his stuff. &nbsp;Then he's going to be derided for years for thinking the shoes were what gave him credibility.</p> <p>Standing out has become a status symbol in tech because it says "I can look like this and still hold this important job because I'm so good they don't care what I look like. &nbsp;I'm not an illusion of competence, I'm competent." &nbsp;It's an interesting backlash.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324553 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 11:07:37 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 1324553@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting. &nbsp;I agree with Sveta and Aida. &nbsp;Is it still individuality if it conforms at the same time? &nbsp;Does anyone else see a parallel to society's acceptance of tattoos and piercings? &nbsp;A few decades ago, a tattoo was a sign of a rebel or non-conformist. &nbsp;Then they went mainstream. &nbsp;Now it is likely more common to have body art than not have it. &nbsp;For those who made the decision to have a tattoo or piercings because it was an expression of who they are, I wonder how the fact that it has now become the norm impacts their feeling about the decision.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324410 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 02:31:02 +0000 Aida 1324410@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sveta, hah on the beer comment!&nbsp;All the really&nbsp;good&nbsp;devs I've heard about from&nbsp;hubby skip the beer and go straight to the hard stuff; the "creative" types drink the beer&nbsp;;)&nbsp;My husband has commented that he would certainly dress up further if he worked in a different field, or at a company that dressed better overall. And his work attire isn't poor by any means: a bespoke perfectly fitting button-up, nice jeans, and nice boots. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324406 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 02:26:47 +0000 Kari 1324406@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Really interesting. I work in jeans and tee shirt central, exactly the type of company described here; it's rare to see a suit (though, because I felt like it was best for me, I wore a "modified suit" of a structured pencil skirt, mismatched blazer, and printed top when I interviewed there.) I wear jeans sometimes but am known as the skirt/dress lady. I like having freedom to do both, but definitely tone down the "fancy"; I try to err on the casual side of business casual. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324385 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 01:59:55 +0000 Sveta 1324385@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>High five, Aida! You and will continue to "deviate" and have fun with it - and it will not hurt our careers a bit! </p> <p>Oh, and also I suspect this is a male excuse for being lazy. Like you cnanot be a proper developer if you do not wear tee and jeans to work...hey, I even heard that you cannot be a good developer if you do not drink beer! :-)</p> <p>Men and their excuses...</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324383 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 01:59:23 +0000 Caro in Oz 1324383@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What Sveta wrote. &nbsp;<br />Suits &nbsp;(&amp; fezes/fezzes)&nbsp;are cool </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324379 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 01:54:30 +0000 Aida 1324379@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sveta, I think that's just it. I feel like the article writer&nbsp;is missing the point. A hardcore techie might SAY that they wear t+jeans to be "different" but what most of those tech companies are working for is a sense of inclusion (emphasis on teamwork and whatnot). t+jeans is comfy casual and has no status associations. You may be "different" from <i>other businesses</i>, but within the industry there is a lot of homogeny. Then again, my experience in a Proper Tech Company is limited so I could be totally off the mark </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324356 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 01:36:03 +0000 Sveta 1324356@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OK, my logical "tech" mind has a problem with this statement: <p>This:</p> <p><i><b>"The way we signal status has also changed. Especially in business, success isn’t just about looking wealthy, but about looking different...."</b></i></p> <p>and this:</p> <p><i><b>"They work where deviations from the norm are lauded"</b></i></p> <p>So if the main goal is to be different and deviate from the norm it means they defeat their own purpose now as the norm is to dress very casually in this field. So if you are wearing tee and jeans to work you are actually <b>blending in</b> and not deviate from the norm!</p> <p>On the other hand I do dress differently from my environment and definitely deviate from the norm there by being dressy...:-)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324344 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 01:24:21 +0000 Aida 1324344@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is the crux of it to me:</p> <p><i>But as waves of hoodie-wearing 20-somethings flood companies, sartorial deviation is poised to become the new norm. When everyone wears a T-shirt to lectures and board meetings, how do you tell who is truly innovative and who is just posing?</i></p> <p><i>At the end of the day, the trend toward informality doesn’t actually get away from the traditional business emphasis on appearance and presentation. It just replaces one standard with another that is, in its own way, just as obsessed with appearance.</i></p> <p>Plus, this may work in tech&nbsp;and academia&nbsp;but I wouldn't think is the norm across many other fields. I'm in tech, in fact I'm a programmer, I essentially work from home, and I don't dress that way at all. Hasn't been a problem for me :p</p> <p>EDIT: OK and in light of the article Anna posted, there is probably a push in the tech industry to make people feel included and not feel that they HAVE to "waste" time dressing more formally. Stymies the creative process, encourages the feelings of&nbsp;outcast.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324332 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 01:18:33 +0000 Glory 1324332@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It has been a long long time since I had to wear a suit to work but there was a time where it was a daily regimen - with pantyhose and no open toe shoes allowed.<br />This summer I have had to smile watching my 17 year old son going to his summer job in his suit and tie. He hops a ride with my DH who wears jeans and a shirt. Very strange. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324324 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 01:09:03 +0000 annagybe 1324324@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://valleywag.gawker.com/why-are-tech-workers-so-bad-at-dressing-themselves-1613023344">http://valleywag.gawker.com/wh.....1613023344</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324293 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 00:44:08 +0000 lyn* 1324293@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Reading that gave me chest pain. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324244 Tue, 05 Aug 2014 23:51:30 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1324244@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting article, Ummlila. <br />rabbit, your point is a good one. It's so funny that in sales, we are told to dress "professionally," so we'll be taken "seriously." Probably just makes us look like salespeople! </p> <p>Marin, you are so right--a suit is the ultimate in civilian uniform dressing. It wasn't cheap, but it was pretty easy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324229 Tue, 05 Aug 2014 23:40:44 +0000 Anonymous 1324229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I miss the suit. In our past life in Seattle DH wore a suit everyday to work and I wore business casual. The majority of his work clothes and a good portion of mine went to the cleaners. We now live in Silicon Valley and DH wears jeans and nice casual shirts to work. I work for a non-profit, lets just say the bar is very low. OMG, the laundry is intense. The helping DH find and style new clothes that are casual but put together but on trend&nbsp;but not too much is crazy. Suits were so much easier.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324133 Tue, 05 Aug 2014 22:14:53 +0000 Mo 1324133@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmm, my BF likes, and has, very nice suits. &nbsp;And I like that about him. &nbsp;He is in his 50's and in sales/finance. &nbsp;I'd be mortified if he thought a tee was appropriate work wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324128 Tue, 05 Aug 2014 22:12:21 +0000 Anonymous 1324128@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting - just the other day I was being helped by a pharmacist wearing a wrinkled and untucked golf shirt and jeans. I actually wondered if he really WAS a pharmacist. &nbsp;This is an extreme example , I know. but somehow what a person in a business situation wears has a big impact on my faith in what he or she is doing. &nbsp;The tech sector can get away with it somehow - not very many other industries can, can they? &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324127 Tue, 05 Aug 2014 22:08:19 +0000 rabbit 1324127@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting. &nbsp;Yep in tech/web companies I associate suits with salespeople, &nbsp;who might not&nbsp;necessarily fully understand the inner workings of what they are selling. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324126 Tue, 05 Aug 2014 22:07:38 +0000 E 1324126@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It seems like the same thing that's true in academia, where dressing too nicely/stylishly can open you up to criticism (e.g.: spending too much time/brainpower on clothes clearly means you're not researching enough).</p> <p>You know, when I watch old movies, pretty much all of the men are in suits. So I suppose it used to be that business suits weren't so *different* from daily non-business wear as they are now. I wonder if that's a factor. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324122 Tue, 05 Aug 2014 22:02:53 +0000 Laurinda 1324122@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There is a similar saying in the research world: "Wears a suit. Must do bad science."&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324121 Tue, 05 Aug 2014 22:02:34 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1324121@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's more the idea that people convey seriousness by NOT wearing a suit that I find weird ... that &nbsp;they are too busy with their work to wear something else. Perhaps after everyone is in a t-shirt and jeans, the next status symbol will be spaghetti sauce on the shirt or crumbs in the beard.</p> <p>The red converse effect as a sign of the innovator I have read about before, but I like to&nbsp;attribute that to David Tennant in Dr. Who. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-economist-on-t-shirt-and-jeans-professional-wear#post-1324115 Tue, 05 Aug 2014 21:53:09 +0000 rachylou 1324115@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh very interesting! I have to ponder. The suit has been dead ever so long in Silicon Valley - I mean children have been born, raised, and had children of their own. It would be just plain weird to see a suit. </p>