Dressing for first day of work

Business casual is not required for my job. Many people dress casual.

Should I follow a business casual dress code for the first day then dress down after that? Or should I go in with a jeans and casual button-down/polo?

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snunez889

I would dress whatever way makes you feel comfortable. Personally if it was me I would go casual .

FloOz

Shirts and tie is what I have always done. My current employer is also very casual, but I think its important to dress nicely for at least your first week.

NetworkVeteran

Should I follow a business casual dress code for the first day then dress down after that? Or should I go in with a jeans and casual button-down/polo?

Which message matches what you want your clothes to convey--"I think I'm the most important guy here" or "You and I are not so different"? I prefer the second message, so I'd pick attire similar to what most of your colleages wear, especially something you're comfortable, in your preferred style, and representative of what you'll wear the rest of the year.

Of course, if you're a 20-something hired by your uncle to manage an experienced team, perhaps you want to use every tool in your disposal to attempt to assert that you have some degree of special importance. Circumstances vary.

paul78

There's really no right answer. It largely depends on the organizational culture and what type of perception you want to make. I personally would never over-dress. If the culture is no ties, I would never wear a tie. But I may still wear a jacket

SecurityThroughObscurity

Suit up

sieff

I read somewhere you should dress for the job you want not the job you have. For the most part I wear a suit, yeah it may be odd, but I don't care. There's been instances where the benefit of this approach has been substantial. One client on our first meeting thought I owned the company and later offered me a job, just off first impression. Once I wore a suit (no tie) to a training class and VP's dropped in, they all took note of who I was and who I worked for and commented that I was "very sharp".

I don't go overboard with suit and tie each day, the tie is totally optional and depending on the situation. As far as the jacket I can always peel that off and go slacks and shirt. If I'm installing gear, I wear khaki's and shirt or a polo.

blargoe

It varies, but usually, if it's me, I'm gonig to try to dress at least one notch above "standard dress" for my team, whatever that is.

NetworkVeteran

sieff wrote: »

For the most part I wear a suit, yeah it may be odd, but I don't care.. One client on our first meeting thought I owned the company

I bet the actual guy who owned your company loved it when your clients made that mistake.

I read somewhere you should dress for the job you want not the job you have.

My CEO, like most executives in my area, dresses down. I suppose I should, too! You're lucky you don't want to be a cop. Civilians wearing police uniforms and driving around with sirens blaring is rather frowned upon.

sieff

"I don't go overboard with suit and tie each day, the tie is totally optional and depending on the situation. As far as the jacket I can always peel that off and go slacks and shirt."

PLEASE NOTE: the rule of outshining the master does apply. some environments wearing a suit just wouldn't work, definitely assess your surroundings.

RogueJD

blargoe wrote: »

It varies, but usually, if it's me, I'm gonig to try to dress at least one notch above "standard dress" for my team, whatever that is.

I agree 100% with this. One notch above - at least until you're comfortable there.

NetworkVeteran

sieff wrote: »

PLEASE NOTE: the rule of outshining the master does apply. some environments wearing a suit just wouldn't work, definitely assess your surroundings.

I figured you applied common sense. I was being a bit silly, although that is good to keep in mind.

PurpleIT

I would go half a notch above. If normal wear is jeans and t-shirts, wear jeans and a polo shirt. If its Dockers and a polo shirt, wear a short-sleeve button-up shirt. Trying to balance the whole first impression thing is tricky. By only going half a notch above you look good, but you won't stand out in a negative way; people will just assume it is a first day things and get over it. If you misjudged the standard you may be right-on or just half a notch lower than expected and once again that can easily be chalked-up to first day jitters.

Either way, let us know...

Aldur

The rule that I've followed, and it's worked out well for me, is dress to be a part of your team. If everybody on your team shows up in suits and ties, do the same. If they show up in shorts and flip-flops, do the same. Part of your job is to fit in and work well with your team. If everybody on your team dresses casually for work, and you show up in a suit and tie, you'll be seen as an outsider. If you're an outsider, you will not work well with your team, and if layoffs come, you'll be the first to go.

PurpleIT

Aldur wrote: »

The rule that I've followed, and it's worked out well for me, is dress to be a part of your team. If everybody on your team shows up in suits and ties, do the same.

I agree completely, but as the OP is asking about the FIRST day of work it is kind of hard to know exactly how to fit in.

Aldur

PurpleIT wrote: »

I agree completely, but as the OP is asking about the FIRST day of work it is kind of hard to know exactly how to fit in.

Well, that can be true, but the OP stated that he knows how the people at work dress. So the OP can know how to dress on the first day of work.

davidboy

Im glad I didnt wear a tie considering I saw a few people wearing shorts. I dressed nicer than most of the guys but not over the top. Im going in in some nicer jeans today.

bobloblaw

Tuxedo t-shirt.

PurpleIT

davidboy wrote: »

Im glad I didnt wear a tie considering I saw a few people wearing shorts. I dressed nicer than most of the guys but not over the top. Im going in in some nicer jeans today.

IMO, there is nothing wrong with being the new guy and a little over-dressed for the first few days, after all, you are trying to make a good impression.

CodeBlox

Whatever you do, check the company dress code first. We are required to wear ties (Males are anyways) and had a new SysAdmin come in without wearing a tie on his first day and it was quickly noticed.

nkillgore

I like to wear something close to what the people who interviewed me were wearing. Some people will dress slightly nicer when they know they have to interview people, but they aren't going to dress in a way that makes them stand out.

kurosaki00

flip flops and a kiss the chef apron

Sirbloody

I usually dress up "one" level. My current place is very casual (everyone wears jeans/regular shirts) so I always wear slacks and a polo shirt tucked in.

VAHokie56

Depends on what casual means...if I was told that over the phone and I had not done a meet and greet to see what other people are wearing...I would go polo and khakis.

goldenlight

Suits will phase out this Century..

VAHokie56

goldenlight wrote: »

Suits will phase out this Century..

I agree...and be replaced by Jedi robes

Darthn3ss

How casual are we talking?

I'd rock 'the dude' look, personally.

VAHokie56

Darthn3ss wrote: »

How casual are we talking?

I'd rock 'the dude' look, personally.

LOL

i don't roll on shomer shabbos!!!