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First impressions of dressing culture at the new job

Tanya

Veteran

So after a week, I know a little bit more about the specifics of my new business casual dress code. I was very distressed to learn that my office does NOT have a casual Friday at all, so no jeans of any kind ever. Big sigh....

The good news is that I have seen everything else I was curious about being worn: skirts, dresses, sleeveless, open toed shoes, etc. I haven't seen that many people yet, as it is the vacation season plus a lot of people choose to work remotely once or twice a week. Overall there are three groups of women I need to pay attention to:

1. Three other women with the same job title as I have. However, that job title can be very broad, with very different duties and expectations. For example, two of the women started straight from college, one has a masters, and I am the only one with a PhD. This group is the one I observed and interacted with the most. They are all much younger then me, and tend to dress on the casual side of business casual - e.g. super skinny chinos and tees, shorter shift dresses, maxi skirts and dresses etc. I think I will definitely dress dressier and more conservative then they do.

2. Five women with the job position one level above my current one, that I would eventually like to be promoted to. All are PhDs, one is my age, the others are 10-20 years older. This is the group I would like to serve as a role model for proper attire. I have only seen one of them once, and she wore a simple blouse, pants and flats.

3. Two women with upper management positions (also PhDs and older). I saw one of them once in a button down shirt, cardigan, pants and flats.

Overall, it seems that the level of formality varies depending on one's schedule. People are more relaxed on regular work days, and kick it up one or more notches for important meetings. For reference, men always wear dress shirts, dressy pants and dressy leather shoes at minimum. They add jackets and/or ties for more important meetings, and for super important occasions that happen rather infrequently they wear full suits.

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from Jenni NZ

Anonymous

Great analysis. But I would expect no less from you.

JAileen

Veteran

Really interesting to hear about the new job culture. Re jeans: now your jeans can be special - just for casual. Then, too, there might be special circumstances where jeans are acceptable. I talked to a former coworker of mine, where casual Friday didn't allow blue jeans. Other colors were okay. He was wearing shorts! He said if they paid in a certain amount to the United Way, they were allowed to wear shorts for a certain period of time. It raised a lot of money for the United Way.

Joyce B

Veteran

That is a good analysis. You have the right idea, you have to dress like the other PhDs, which you definitely rock.
As they say, dress for the job you want, not for the job you have. I think that saying is true.
Another thing I was thinking was that you can probably wear your shoes without any restrictions like you had in your previous job, right? You must be enjoying that.

Anonymous

Excellent idea to note what the second group wears. I suspect that dress is usually a little more casual in summer.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

New work environments are always scary, congrats on the analysis and the new job!

I wish there was a no jeans ever at my work!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I think you'll adjust just fine

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Scientifically observed. They will be looking to you for inspiration soon.

L'Abeille

Veteran

Sorry to hijack but... Woohoo Lyn* you're back!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Wow, great info and analysis. It's really interesting to read, and to get a glimpse into your new environment. Your approach seems very wise.

Style Fan

Veteran

Very thorough and detailed analysis Tanya. I would agree that dressing for the job you want is the way to go. Now jeans can be for special and fun times.

unfrumped

Veteran

What Joy says. Also woohoo hiya to lyn!

Here's what good though about the variety you see. " Formal" does not necessarily = dowdy or plain, but for you could include " elegantly trendy" - not sure how to describe, but meaning, not the skin- showing, the shorter skirts or open toes and clingier fits and weekend fabrics that often characterize the more casual version of BC, but a type of upgrade that is more " grown up" but still has fashion-forward elements . A lot of times I think perfect fit and nicer fabrics tend to elevate the look- having things tailored to fit in the waist, achieving that perfect skirt or pant length- along with "polished" final outfit. Your strategy of continuing to observe and fit in is great since you will figure out which touches are " just enough" to feel fun but not detract from projecting your desired image.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great analysis.

OF COURSE, Tanya, you're going to be the company's Trendy Fashionista and set the stylish standard.

Too bad about no Casual Friday - especially since your jeans outfits can be very dressy. This might change. Don't loose hope yet. In the 11 years I've had my biz, work dress codes with clients have changed quite significantly. Also, you've worn the heck out of your jeans for 20 years - fun next chapter.

Elle

Veteran

Interesting analysis.

If men are wearing full suits (even though only occasionally), this job skews very formal.

But it is clear from your other post,that you have already nailed the appropriate level of formality for this new job. You are very wise to be looking at the dress code of the people in the job that you want.

Congratulations again on your new job.

Tanya

Veteran

Thank you all for your input, it is much appreciated, Also, Lyn* SO happy to see you here! Hope you post some more.

I am going to be very reserved and not wear any jeans, not even white or black - it is simply not worth it to me, as leaving a good impression means much more to me than being able to wear jeans. It will be nice if, as Angie says, dress code changes in the future, but if not, I 'll deal with this one. I get to wear plenty of things I was not allowed to wear at my previous job, so it will take some time for the novelty to wear off.

I am glad that you agree I should model my attire on the second group of women. I have barely seen any of them so far, but hopefully soon. I will work closely with one of them, which I hope will become my mentor of sorts, so I ill ask her for advice and use it. As Unfrumped mention, I hope to wear similar stuff to third group of women, with excellent tailoring, good quality and some modern and updated detailing.

Angie, this is probably the one time in my life I do not want to be perceived as Trendy Fashionista. While Iove fashion and will continue to be current and follow trends, I don't want that to be super obvious - hence my idea from few weeks ago of being "quietly trendy". I am happy to be perceived as stylish and well put together though.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Thank you Tanya for this fascinating account. I don't know what's your field, but sure hope you will post updates. This is like a Netflix series! I want to know more! You've set up the premisces, with the various groups mentionned. One thing is clear: this new job is very important to you. It's a place you've dreamed of working at, I imagine, from your descriptions. Now you are here, after some trials, and with a PhD, and the object is for you to attain level two (the second group) while having been placed in a group obviously slightly below your skills and experience. This should be fairly easy for you, as you are a wiz at what you do and also very determined. However, how you dress represents more than it seems.First set back: no jeans. So you will have to be creative in order to feel casual without looking too casual in a world that could be pretty much defined as "permanently casual". A comfy pencil (if such a thing exists) with a loosely buttoned, loosely tucked silk blouse + pearls wants to come to mind.I think the secret lies in the footwear, which absolutely has to scream comfort without being outrageous (so no Fluevogs, for example). I would go for flats such as loafers.
It's like a story told through dressing and dress code, which highlights power dynamics and office culture. I like your parallel with elements of men's dress code according to occasion. I am awaiting your next post anxiously.

anchie

Veteran

Great analysis. Question is do you like the style of women in second group and can you see yourself wearing the similar things? I think your style is great and that you should stay true to yourself.
At my workplace women in position that I would like to be promoted to a wearing Hillary Clinton style of pantsuits and this is not something that I would like to emulate.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hi Tanya I haven't commented on these posts of yours about the new job before but have read them with great interest. Congratulations on both your PhD and the new job! I can imagine it will be odd to be off the lab bench after a long time but I am glad you are being strategic about future promotions. I didn't do that enough and could have probably gone further in my career although happy enough with how it has panned out! Your outfits seem to be striking a good note of serious yet forward-thinking, to my eye.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I like how observant you are about your new environment. Seeing different women how they dress and how you can fit into that culture of what you may and may not want to do. I agree with most that said it may change about the jeans. Sometimes I wish I could wear dresses and pretty things at work. I'm sure your status self will fit in and maybe even exceed the norm.

Staysfit

Veteran

Tanya, I am following your posts with much interest. Your efforts run parallel to those of my DD who recently started a new job in a medical school as a research coordinator. Her previous wardrobe was that of an artist/painter, but she also has a strong research background. Her previous employer was a college professor and accepted her relaxed colorful artist style. Now she is working with physicians (mostly men), nurse practitioners, and various PhD researchers who dress in a more classic and conservative manner which DD calls "structured". Like you she is sorting out how dress in her new work environment, and she also is trying to strategize about advancing positions in the future. She wants to stay true to her creative self because she has seen my example of dressing the way I like (which may not be realistic), manage the office politics, finesse the academic hierarchy, and still look appropriate.

I commend you on the great efforts you have made to approach this with caution. At the same time, I feel sad that you, DD and most women are in positions where they are required to worry so much about professional wardrobe and appearance. Dressing to fit into a work place, and to think about the need to dress a certain way to fit in and for advancing to the role you want; to impress without overdoing. It's an art. It seems unfair to be judged so strongly for appearance instead of your skills. It's also something that I know is worse for women than men. It upset me recently after DD sent me a parody about how women dress in academic settings and then DH told me that the female professors are more likely to get feedback about their appearance at the end of a semester than a male professor.

I have been lucky. If I have been judged or hindered from progressing in a professional role because of my personal appearance/wardrobe I am unaware. My work world has been very different than that of most, probably because my profession is in demand and I have no competition. At this stage, if there were competition, I am the one with the needed skills, knowledge base and experience. I want to believe and hope that I am judged by my reputation, skills and the quality of my work. I have rarely had to look a certain way or dress a certain way to fulfill my professional role. My style choices have been my own and based on my personal preferences, comfort, and sense of how I want to be perceived. I haven't had to factor in the intricate power hierarchies of a complex work environment. I know it's a necessity for the majority of women and I truly admire your thoughtful approach. You are a good role model for those of us who need to navigate shark infested waters.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

What Staysfit says is so interesting! I also feel blessed that I have been able to be respected in my professional role without worrying about my clothing much at all. For me it was because I own my own small practice and have done since age 30, so I have been one of the bosses. Then by the time I applied for another job as well, as a travelling medical educator, I was 43 and more able to be respected for my knowledge and experience I guess. What I wore has never seemed to stop me getting any of my extra jobs since. Definitely a feminist issue in bigger organisations I think? But when you are trying to progress, I think you are taking the right approach.