Quote :

"Don't ever wear khakis (chinos), you're not in school anymore."

What's wrong with you people that you have to judge what other people choose to wear? He clearly states that his work environment is moving to a khaki and polo dress code, why the fuck should he not wear that? Saying "you're not in school anymore" and "polo shirts are for people going to play golf" does not make those statements facts. Wear what you want to wear and quit worrying about everyone else

Quote :

"You would seriously take less money so you don't have to wear slacks and a button up?? What is wrong with you?"

I would, and do. My comfort level while I'm walking to work and sitting in an office all day have a direct correlation to my overall happiness. Everyone who would rather not dress up has a number which would make dressing up worth it, and it varies from person to person. I have an idea of what the difference MIGHT be if I dressed better, and I'm happier not. If my office switched to a suit and tie dress code I'd be on the phone with a recruiter right now.

Some things make people more comfortable and happier overall, why do you have a problem with that?

10/16/2012 10:38:02 AM

Quote :

"I would, and do. My comfort level while I'm walking to work and sitting in an office all day have a direct correlation to my overall happiness. Everyone who would rather not dress up has a number which would make dressing up worth it, and it varies from person to person. I have an idea of what the difference MIGHT be if I dressed better, and I'm happier not. If my office switched to a suit and tie dress code I'd be on the phone with a recruiter right now. Some things make people more comfortable and happier overall, why do you have a problem with that?"

you are a hobo and a slob...if you are married or in a relationship, you do not love your significant other...you are deriving your sense of self-worth from something other than your clothing and that is unacceptable

[Edited on October 16, 2012 at 10:42 AM. Reason : you peasants disgust me]

10/16/2012 10:40:31 AM

Quote :

"What's wrong with you people that you have to judge what other people choose to wear? He clearly states that his work environment is moving to a khaki and polo dress code, why the fuck should he not wear that? Saying "you're not in school anymore" and "polo shirts are for people going to play golf" does not make those statements facts. Wear what you want to wear and quit worrying about everyone else"

He asked for advice. Admittedly not specifically about pants, but he asked for other peoples opinions about attire.

Just because everybody else at work wears khaki's doesn't mean he should. To be specific, khaki is not a type of pant, its a color. Chino is the type of pant he's likely referring to since most chinos are khaki in color, and yes in my opinion they are too casual for an adult office working environment. They're made more-so for outdoor environments where you need a more rugged material. If you still want to wear khaki colored pants, I suggested a cotton dress pant because its still casual and comfortable without being heavy like a wool dress pant.

10/16/2012 10:49:39 AM

Quote :

"I would, and do. My comfort level while I'm walking to work and sitting in an office all day have a direct correlation to my overall happiness."

You guys are so sensitive over this, "Waahhh...I get to where whatever I want to work, it's wonderful!!!" schtick, that you're failing to miss this point:

How uncomfortable can you be in slacks and a button down?? I mean seriously...what kind of cheap ass pants and shirts are you buying that make it so uncomfortable that you would sacrifice a potential raise in salary to be "more comfortable"!

I get not wanting to dress up. I'm in an industry where they expect you to wear a suit every day. I'm actually dressing down when I wear slacks and a polo/button down. And it is wonderful. I am extremely comfortable at my desk right now.

Would I like to wear sweat pants and a comfy t-shirt/sweat shirt to work? Sure, I guess. But the difference in comfort is negligible to where it really doesn't matter. Especially when you talk about "I would take less money to not where slacks and a button down." I mean...seriously??

10/16/2012 10:52:46 AM

Quote :

"They're made more-so for outdoor environments where you need a more rugged material."

no one who does shit outside wears chinos

this is coming from someone who has to do shit outside for his job on a regular basis

Quote :

"How uncomfortable can you be in slacks and a button down?"

less comfortable than in an untucked polo and jeans...who would argue otherwise?

Quote :

"I am extremely comfortable at my desk right now."

me, too...in my untucked polo and jeans...which cost a fraction of what your get-up did, and i'm quite likely more comfortable

as i assume you would be, given that you've said:

Quote :

"Would I like to wear sweat pants and a comfy t-shirt/sweat shirt to work? Sure, I guess."

[Edited on October 16, 2012 at 10:55 AM. Reason : .]

10/16/2012 10:53:16 AM

Most people don't buy properly fitting clothes overall, especially when it comes to dressier clothes because there's less room for error. They'd rather opt for more casual, baggier clothes that are "more comfortable". Dress clothes can be just as comfortable if you buy the right material, size and fit. Tailoring goes a long way as well. Minor alterations are not that expensive and are more than worth it if comfort is your priority.

Quote :

"no one who does shit outside wears chinos this is coming from someone who has to do shit outside for his job on a regular basis"

That is true for your modern chino you'd get from gap, j. crew and the like. They are a descendant of material originally developed for military use though, so thats how I always imagine them.

[Edited on October 16, 2012 at 11:04 AM. Reason : .]

10/16/2012 10:57:04 AM

As far as comfort goes, nice slacks are as close as you can get to being naked without getting arrested.

10/16/2012 11:01:16 AM

Quote :

"less comfortable than in an untucked polo and jeans...who would argue otherwise?"

Not necessarily. My slacks are extremely comfortable...so is my button down shirt. As I said earlier...the difference is negligible. And definitely not enough to talk about "I'd take less money...RAWR RAWR RAWR...I'M SO COMFORTABLE RIGHT NOW."

^ That.

Quote :

"me, too...in my untucked polo and jeans...which cost a fraction of what your get-up did, and i'm quite likely more comfortable"

I buy the majority of my work clothes (suits being the exception) on sale or at outlets. They are very affordable. So not really...

[Edited on October 16, 2012 at 11:01 AM. Reason : .]

[Edited on October 16, 2012 at 11:02 AM. Reason : .]

10/16/2012 11:01:24 AM

I'm a total jeans guy outside of work but my dress pants I wear to work are more comfortable than my jeans hands down.

10/16/2012 11:02:52 AM

If he had asked for advice for a generic business casual environment, I might be more forgiving, but your language suggests his whole business has a dress code problem, it doesn't seem to me that's the commentary he was looking for. Do you see the difference in saying, "I personally feel like it's better to dress above everyone else in the office, regardless of what they're wearing" as opposed to "don't wear khakis, you're not in school anymore?"

Quote :

"How uncomfortable can you be in slacks and a button down??"

Some people sweat easily. Some people run hotter than others. Some people prefer to not have to iron and/or go to the dry cleaner. What makes you comfortable does not apply to everyone. Ever consider that? Is it really that hard to fathom that NOT wearing sleeves can possibly be more comfortable to some people than wearing them?

YES, I WILL TAKE LESS MONEY TO DRESS THE WAY I WANT. This is a statement of fact, you can't argue this, you don't know me, don't know what I do, what I make, or anything. All you know is that's my opinion about myself.

10/16/2012 11:02:55 AM

Also
http://putthison.com/post/31273717409/three-types-of-chinos-khaki-chinos-are-not-as

http://putthison.com/post/7575598304/a-complete-guide-to-getting-chinos-this-summer

Chinos are fine if purchased properly and worn in the right fashion for the occasion

10/16/2012 11:03:46 AM

Quote :

"Some people sweat easily. Some people run hotter than others."

Jeans are normally hotter than slacks.

Quote :

" Is it really that hard to fathom that NOT wearing sleeves can possibly be more comfortable to some people than wearing them?"

I either wear a nice polo or roll up my sleeves.

Quote :

"Some people prefer to not have to iron and/or go to the dry cleaner."

This is the only somewhat arguable point you made. However, I do have a pair of J. Crew slacks and a nice pair of khakis that can be washed and hung up immediately to where I don't have to iron them. They are my favorite pairs.


[Edited on October 16, 2012 at 11:08 AM. Reason : .]

10/16/2012 11:06:05 AM

Please see my original post in this thread and then amend your statement about the jeans

rolled up sleeves are not as comfortable as no sleeves, end of story

\/ Golf pants are even better

[Edited on October 16, 2012 at 11:08 AM. Reason : a]

[Edited on October 16, 2012 at 11:12 AM. Reason : a]

10/16/2012 11:06:42 AM

I started wearing slacks more in the summer precisely because they are soo much cooler than anything else. I'm not even convinced that shorts are cooler to wear than nice light summer weight slacks. Seriously, it's like wearing nothing.

10/16/2012 11:07:38 AM

Quote :

"Most people don't buy properly fitting clothes overall, especially when it comes to dressier clothes because there's less room for error. They'd rather opt for more casual, baggier clothes that are "more comfortable". Dress clothes can be just as comfortable if you buy the right material, size and fit. Tailoring goes a long way as well. Minor alterations are not that expensive and are more than worth it if comfort is your priority."

i get that and i agree...but the solution isn't to buy a different style altogether because it's what "adults" do, it's to buy clothes that fit in the first place

Quote :

"As far as comfort goes, nice slacks are as close as you can get to being naked without getting arrested."

i respect your right to have an opinion...i didn't meant to imply that slacks aren't comfortable, because i'm quite aware that they can be

but having a shirt that needs to be tucked in, long sleeves when the office is warm, a tie, and a buttoned collar...who would be so stupid to argue that THAT is more comfortable than an untucked polo or a t-shirt?

it's good that y'all are happy that you HAVE to be dressed up because you obviously enjoy your expensive, tailored clothes...i, for one, am happy that i am not required to spend what you spend or wear what you wear and am more comfortable

to each their own...i don't think the OP was looking to blow more money on his "khakis and polo "environment" than he did on his "shirt and tie environment", but you guys have given him a lot of information on how to spend some serious cash to "dress down" from where he was (you know, so he looks like an "adult")

10/16/2012 11:08:17 AM

Quote :

"Do you see the difference in saying, "I personally feel like it's better to dress above everyone else in the office, regardless of what they're wearing" as opposed to "don't wear khakis, you're not in school anymore?""

Sure, but on TWW those statements are basically the same. Calm down.

Quote :

"i get that and i agree...but the solution isn't to buy a different style altogether because it's what "adults" do, it's to buy clothes that fit in the first place"

That comment wasn't to suggest that anyone buy a different style of clothes, just that the excuse that nicer clothes are uncomfortable shouldn't stop them from wearing nicer clothes. If they want to wear more casual clothes because they prefer that style, fine. Just don't use comfort as an excuse. Any style can be comfortable if it fits correctly.

[Edited on October 16, 2012 at 11:15 AM. Reason : .]

10/16/2012 11:09:35 AM

I haven't seen many people suggesting ties.

10/16/2012 11:10:20 AM

Yeah...he's jumping all over the place to justify his argument. Ties, tailored clothes, expensive clothes...etc.

I get that it would be nice to wear jeans a t-shirt to work...but not to the "I'd take less money" extreme.

10/16/2012 11:12:38 AM

Quote :

"I haven't seen many people suggesting ties."

maybe...but since this is all about one-upping the best dressed person in the office so a person can feel better about themselves, i'm not sure where else you can go but tie and jacket

fwiw, i keep a suit (wool, of medium quality, and tailored...obviously) at the office for when we have "VIPs" stop by

it's only two or three times a year, though

Quote :

"I get that it would be nice to wear jeans a t-shirt to work...but not to the "I'd take less money" extreme."

you know, it's actually stupid for you to say this...if you consider that you have to purchase the clothes, making less money might work out the same as making more (obviously it depends on what you have to buy and how much the difference is)

but yeah, i'll forgo a couple of thousand dollars (we're not talking $100k here, as you'd like to pretend) to work in an environment where folks don't have to dress up every day

[Edited on October 16, 2012 at 11:15 AM. Reason : .]

10/16/2012 11:14:15 AM

I grab a jacket or sports coat before a tie.

I've tried out the jeans and shirt and tie look a few times because the wife likes it, but outside of being a teacher or professor I haven't figured out when that look really fits. In some cities it probably has a lot of flexibility, but around here I felt out of place.

10/16/2012 11:15:45 AM

a jacket is equally dumb unless you're trying to keep warm...or, as noted, you need it to feel better about yourself

10/16/2012 11:17:56 AM

I don't need to shower or shave to feel good about myself, but I do that every day too

10/16/2012 11:19:30 AM

The same way some people work better when they're comfortable, some people work better when they feel confident. They way people dress has a lot to do with how it makes them feel. I'm not going to wear something I feel silly in. I'll wear something I feel like I look good in. If I feel good I'll be more confident and more productive.

[Edited on October 16, 2012 at 11:21 AM. Reason : .]

10/16/2012 11:21:00 AM

Quote :

"but since this is all about one-upping the best dressed person in the office so a person can feel better about themselves"

No...this is what this thread is all about:

Quote :

"I'm moving from a shirt and tie environment to a khakis and polo environment"

You need to just give up and back-out slowly. Your hole digging is getting quite impressive.

Quote :

"fwiw, i keep a suit (wool, of medium quality, and tailored...obviously) at the office for when we have "VIPs" stop by it's only two or three times a year, though"

That's awesome...it has absolutely nothing to do with what we've been talking about.

Quote :

"you know, it's actually stupid for you to say this...if you consider that you have to purchase the clothes, making less money might work out the same as making more (obviously it depends on what you have to buy and how much the difference is)"

If you ever shopped for slacks and button downs, then maybe you would know that it is pretty easy to get nice clothes on the cheap. I can get a great pair of slacks on sale or at the outlet store for the same price as your $30 pair of jeans. Maybe I'll have to spend a few bucks more. Obviously your t-shirts and polos will be slightly cheaper, but you can get nice button downs on sale and at outlet stores from $35 to $40.

I MIGHT spend a couple hundred bucks in a year on work clothes. I've also gone a year or two without having to purchase anything.

10/16/2012 11:21:51 AM

Quote :

"I don't need to shower or shave to feel good about myself, but I do that every day too"

are you really giving equal weight to good hygiene and wearing a jacket to work?

good call

^ we can keep going back and forth if you want...what it boils down to is there are those people who derive a feeling of self-worth and confidence from their clothes

i am not one of those people and i think it's sad that clothing is what makes you feel important and confident...i find it to be incredibly shallow, regardless of the COST of your clothes

you're not going to be convinced otherwise, and i pray i never need my clothes to feel good about myself...so i guess we should probably just give up on being BFFs

[Edited on October 16, 2012 at 11:25 AM. Reason : .]

10/16/2012 11:22:19 AM

Quote :

"Would I like to wear sweat pants and a comfy t-shirt/sweat shirt to work? Sure, I guess. But the difference in comfort is negligible to where it really doesn't matter. Especially when you talk about "I would take less money to not where slacks and a button down." I mean...seriously?? "

I suppose I'm fortunate that in my particular line of work, the companies that recruit the best talent also tend to have the most lax dress code policies. It's almost like part of our compensation package. The most talented tech folks and creatives are compensated with nice salaries, solid benefit packages and a very lax dress code. People who have to dress up, at least in my line of work, are typically with smaller companies that don't offer the most competitive compensation.

Anyway, what I'm saying is that a lax dress code does not always correlate to lower pay.

[Edited on October 16, 2012 at 11:25 AM. Reason : s]

10/16/2012 11:24:18 AM

Quote :

"i am not one of those people and i think it's sad that clothing is what makes you feel important and confident...i find it to be incredibly shallow, regardless of the COST of your clothes"

How do I make font bigger on this site, because I need the to be larger

Wearing deodorant is shallow, your scent is natural so why should you change it? If you need to change your natural scent to feel good about yourself you are shallow

Needing to shave to feel confident is shallow. Body and facial hair is natural, its sad if you feel that you need to change that.

Wearing makeup is dumb and shallow, why do you need to change your appearance to feel good about yourself?

Brushing your hair is sad and shallow, why should it matter if your hair is unkempt if you are good at what you do?

etc...

[Edited on October 16, 2012 at 11:31 AM. Reason : .]

10/16/2012 11:27:24 AM

Quote :

"Anyway, what I'm saying is that a lax dress code does not always correlate to lower pay. "

I don't think anyone is saying that. For some reason, quag keeps trying to make that argument.

Quote :

"i think it's sad that clothing is what makes you feel important and confident"

Not me. I'm just as confident in jeans and a t-shirt as I am in a tailor made suit. I just have to wear a somewhat dressy outfit in case someone stops by the office or I am seen walking to and from my car to the office during the day. I also take my dog out to use the bathroom about twice a day and I often am told "I saw you and your dog on King Street the other day!!!"

I'm just saying that slacks and a polo/button down are very comfortable and I don't mind wearing them and I wouldn't take less money so I could wear jeans and a t-shirt to work.

10/16/2012 11:31:36 AM

^ No, he was simply saying that IF the way to make slightly more money were to dress nicer he is happy where he is. I second that. You don't. End of discussion

10/16/2012 11:34:53 AM

Damn I really wanted to be quagmire's BFF too. I was hoping this thread would convince him that we could be besties.

10/16/2012 11:36:34 AM

Quote :

"IF the way to make slightly more money were to dress nicer "

quagmire02

Quote :

"i hope to never have a job that requires me to dress even a little like SuperDude does if that means i'm stuck making less than $200k/year, i'm fine with that"

TIL quagmire02 makes just under $200k/year. play on playa.

10/16/2012 12:01:44 PM

Quote :

"TIL quagmire02 makes just under $200k/year. play on playa."

i didn't imply that i actually make that or even anywhere near it

but i'm quite aware of what i can EVENTUALLY make in my field (which i love) without having to wear anything dressier than what i'm wearing right now

10/16/2012 1:25:15 PM

Quote :

"a jacket is equally dumb unless you're trying to keep warm...or, as noted, you need it to feel better about yourself"

What? I think there's just a disconnect between people on the different types of workplaces we're talking about here. A lot of you guys are engineers or IT people that work in a more casual environment where there's not as much of a dress code. Some of us are in offices where business-casual for us is more like business-formal for you. I don't know why people are at each other's throats over it. I've had jobs (and have one now) where I occasionally do have to wear a suit jacket for meetings or functions, and I've had to as well when I was a GA at NCSU. It's not patchwork insecurity, it's just part of my job, and a lot of other people's too.

Anyway, this thread is all bickering now.

10/16/2012 3:36:22 PM

I wear a suit and jacket every day I'm in our clients office (Tues-Thurs). The office is business casual with the execs sometimes wearing a tie and suit. We dress one step up from the client. Gotten used to it.

I also notice people pay way more attention to you when you've got a suit on. Not to mention I get my coffee in the morning much faster and people don't fuck with you on the street.

10/16/2012 4:35:31 PM

I wear shorts and a t-shirt virtually every day in an environment where most men wear slacks and a collared shirt, more often button-downs than polos. I know how to dress up for client-facing meetings when needed, and I keep a nice outfit in my office for that purpose in case I'm caught unawares.

But internally, people have gotten used to judging me by the quality of my work product rather than my appearances. I feel very comfortable with my reputation and future prospects here despite how I dress.

10/16/2012 6:22:48 PM

Alright, I'm back from an arduous day at work that had me wearing some khaki colored dress pants and a button up shirt from Kenneth Cole. All in a day's work.

I'm not going to bother trying to quote and respond to all of the other posts out there, I'll just put it out there. Get educated, son.

For those of you that is in a work environment that allows t-shirts, shorts, and flip flops, I applaud you. Your job values your work more than the way you look. Nothing against that. When in Rome..

But for the rest of us that at least require us to wear slacks, wear a tucked in shirt, and jeans are generally frowned upon (unless it's Friday), then we're a little more limited to what we can wear. Could we resort to wearing clothes that sacrifices good looks and style for comfort? Sure we can! And it shows!

Now you can walk around in your polo shirt and coffee stained khakis and feel like the most confident guy in the room. Pat yourself on the back. But if you think that's going to fly, you've been living under a rock. We are superficial creatures. People take notice of the way you dress and look. To argue against it defies human nature.

We want our women slim and sexy. TV tells us so. Magazines tell us so. Maybe you don't care about how others perceive you, but when you're cognizant of the flippant and shallow nature of the people around you and above you, then you take the extra step to stand out just a little bit, maybe get the inside edge to a promotion (yeah, getting chosen based on your looks instead of your skills and merit sucks, but it's just as common as nepotism and other types of favoritism. Deal with it.)

And before I end my little diatribe, let me start with some of the rules of dress. Don't wear white socks or ankle socks. If you think you can wear those socks because they won't show, then you need to introduce yourself to a tailor. Colored belt should match shoes. Should have at least 2 pairs each of black and brown shoes. You're probably convinced you can get away with one, but no one wants to deal with smelly feet and you're doing yourself favors if you air out your shoes. Your feet are some of the most important parts of your body. Treat them nice. Buy good shoes. Cole Haan, Ecco, Johnston & Murphy are solid middle tier. Look hard enough, you can find some even nicer shoes at a discount.

And here ends the Gospel of SuperDude, Chapter 2.

10/16/2012 6:58:47 PM

I work in a lab. Even though we work in the back and get REALLY gross, business to business casual attire is required.

It's not a big deal, but even with the lab coats our clothes can get tar and gunk on them. I wind up wearing the same five pieces all week and looking a little shabby regardless.

Also, safety goggles look weird when you're in a pant suit.

10/22/2012 9:40:29 AM

FWIW, I'll put myself in the "I feel better about myself when I know I'm dressed well" group. If that makes me shallow, superficial, and "sad", then so be it. I personally don't feel ashamed that I can derive an extra bit of confidence from my attire. It may not affect the quality of my work (I don't think our SCCM server really cares how I'm dressed) but I think it's in the back of my mind in interactions with people that I don't necessarily know well. And that's a potential advantage I'll take. While I personally wouldn't go to his extremes, SuperDude has a point that humans are, basically, appearance-oriented creatures. I'm not going to spend $texas on my wardrobe, but I'm not going to fly in the face of human nature just to make a point about my comfort.

10/22/2012 12:17:13 PM

^

10/22/2012 12:38:13 PM

man I bought some khakis the other day that I was pretty excited about because they fit so well. I generally go for darker-colored khakis (I'm sure some purist is rolling his/her eyes right now). I also wear black polos.

My GF was jumping out of her skin when I walked out of the bathroom the other morning in my black polo and "brown" khakis. I blew her off but for the rest of the day I kept struggling with the conflict between my natural "I don't give a fuck, everyone can get over it" attitude and my "shit, is this really that frowned upon?" sensibility.

What say you?



For reference, the colors went as follows:





[Edited on October 22, 2012 at 12:53 PM. Reason : black shoes but dressier, not sk8erboi like those]

10/22/2012 12:51:04 PM

Typically it is safe to stay away, since it is easy to mess it up and look like shit, but if you're not a total idiot then brown and black are fine together. I think what you had was fine. As long as your leathers (belt and shoes) match, that's more important.

10/22/2012 12:55:42 PM

Cool, that's what I thought. Yeah, black leather belt and black leather shoes. I kept looking in the mirror thinking that the only reason it'd look bad is because it's "supposed to"

bah. UPS drivers are black and brown and women always want their packages

10/22/2012 1:09:29 PM

I definitely agree with Ronny here. 100% the correct answer.

10/22/2012 2:45:39 PM

As long as you don't wear a light-brown belt and blue shoes or something, you'd probably be fine pretty much every time.

I'm not always the best with colors (not bad, just that I play it safe), but I think common sense will usually do you well.

10/22/2012 3:03:48 PM

Quote :

"UPS drivers are black and brown and women always want their packages "

bahahahah post of the day

10/22/2012 3:28:32 PM

Quote :

" Chino is the type of pant he's likely referring to since most chinos are khaki in color, and yes in my opinion they are too casual for an adult office working environment."

google searches chinos...



Did I miss something? This isn't "adult" or professional? Seriously, this doesn't make any sense.

10/22/2012 4:08:17 PM

That's pretty much all I wear.

10/22/2012 4:11:52 PM

I did a similar thread...

message_topic.aspx?topic=523091

But asked people how much they earned too

10/22/2012 4:17:06 PM

If anyone is looking for any super cheap dress pants to mix in, Kohls actually has a style that I just got on sale that I actually really like. I usually don't get any work pants there (really I only get dress shirts now and then) but we had some gift cards so I was looking to bolster my wardrobe with a few new pants before I make a trip to Banana Republic to get some more.

Anyway, I'm slim and have a hard time finding dress pants at a place like Kohls because the cuts are usually not very "slim" even on pants labeled as such. These pants were Axist "Motion Tech Slim-Fit" I think but they are extremely comfortable and the cut is great for the price if you are going for a modern, slim look off-the shelf at a department store. They only come in black and charcoal and the fabric isn't something I love (just a solid colored polyester without any real variation) but it's good enough when combined with the other factors for the $29 price tag.

10/22/2012 4:17:39 PM

I am so glad that I can wear jeans and a t-shirt or polo every day at work now. While my dress shirts and slacks were comfortable, it took a lot of money in alterations to make them that way and I was afraid of messing them up after work.

10/22/2012 6:30:24 PM