How to dress at a start up?

When I went in, I saw people wearing all different things. The lawyer was wearing a flannel and jeans. Most people in t shirts and jeans/sweatshirts. I don't want to be 100 percent unprofessional though. I was thinking something like;

- Button down with the sleeves rolled up.
- Sweaters.
- Nice jeans.
- Dress shoes.
- Clean shaven.

Sound decent?

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Comments

markulous

I'd stick to business casual. At my work we can wear whatever we want but I still wear a collared shirt and jeans or khakis.

systemstech

REMOVED UNNECESSARY QUOTED REPLY FROM PREVIOUS POST

Yeah, I'm thinking the same thing.

--chris--

Levi 505's and v necks all day/every day whenever possible. Flip flops (weather permitting).

If they don't require a certain level of dress I prefer to dress as comfortable as possible

I would say take advantage of it while you can.

cyberguypr

This is all relative to the company culture and the role. I worked for a startup-type company and you saw everything from cargo shorts and "EPIC FAIL" t-shirts all the way up to business suits. Wear whatever makes you comfortable and doesn't make you look out of place with your peers.

techfiend

If you're ever exposed to public or non-IT employees I've been told to dress just a little above your colleagues at the same respective level. It often makes a good impression and you'll become more of the go to guy as long as you have the abilities and personality. If they wear jeans and tshirts, maybe go with polos and khakis. If they wear polos, go for button downs. One thing you don't want to do is regularly dress above the levels above you unless it's a special occasion.

Have you ever noticed that management and up are usually dressed a little nicer than the employees they manage? I know it's kind of silly to have levels of dress within a company but it's reality most places. If you are lucky enough to have management that wears comfort all the time, go ahead and do the same thing, it makes you fit in.

NightShade03

cyberguypr wrote: »

This is all relative to the company culture and the role. I worked for a startup-type company and you saw everything from cargo shorts and "EPIC FAIL" t-shirts all the way up to business suits. Wear whatever makes you comfortable and doesn't make you look out of place with your peers.

+1 - you always want to "fit in", but you also need to look polished.

I live by, "Dress for the job you want and not the job you have".

BradleyHU

depends on the company culture...at my job, its straight casual. I rock jeans/khakis/chinos, polos/casual button up and kicks most days, and then sometimes i'm in dress pants, dress shirt, and oxfords...i've also worn shorts & t-shirts here. just depends on what i feel like wearing for the day, and the weather outside. No one has thought any less of my abilities to do my job because of what I wear.

Polynomial

Probably jeans and a hoodie every day.

paul78

@systemstech - I don't really think there is a one-size-fits-all. Depending on your role and the type of company, there are different cultural norms when it comes to dress-code at companies. The good news is that dress codes have relaxed a lot over the past few decades.

Having worked at large companies and startups, I definitely prefer startup culture

What you described sounds very appropriate for most technology startups, especially for your role.

I do believe that there is such as thing as being over-dressed for work - especially at technology startups. I am always a little skeptical about people that over-dress past the norms in a startup.

Whenever I consider what I wear at work - I always take into account several factors including but not limited to:
1) the office surroundings - for example - if a startup office is a beat-up office with used furniture, I'm going to dress down.
2) are customers typically visiting the offices - in this case - I will dress-up.
3) the weather - on hot days - I may even consider wearing shorts depending on #1 and #2.

networker050184

Tech start up culture is a little different than what most are used to. Jeans, tshirt, etc. are the norm. Even for the C levels. You'll probably feel quite out of place dressing much nicer.

scaredoftests

We have a policy for business casual (no jeans) Monday - Thursday, then it is jean Friday. I love jean Friday.

systemstech

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Plantwiz

NightShade03 wrote:

I live by, "Dress for the job you want and not the job you have".

EXACTLY!

I was going to say this same thing...read the litany of posts and you beat me to it! Good on you!

Dress for where you WANT TO GO!

Want to be treated with respect (particularly when young or young looking) dress for success. Want to be treated like a punk...dress like a punk.

Robertf969

I rock jeans and a hoodie when working from home, but have a collared shirt in arms reach for any video conferencing.

rsutton

Jeans and a hoodie every day (MSP pseudo-startup environment)