I work for the government and have just been promoted to a new position within my agency. I now have entirely new duties that I will have to be trained for, a new boss, and most of my coworkers work in a different building, however for the time being I am staying where I am. My old building was super casual. I wear jeans and polo shirts 5 days a week. The people who work across the street at my new job wear button up shirts, polo shirts and the women wear pants suits and dresses. A couple of guys (including the boss) had on ties. I of course am going to lose the jeans and my new boss said what I had on was otherwise fine and I shouldn't have to change to months. I am thinking of wearing a button up shirt and a tie a few days a week though. I feel more professional doing that, but I'm afraid if I do it right at the start it will be viewed as brown nosing. Also anytime I have worn a tie in my old building I felt horribly out of place, due to everyone else being so casual.
2006-06-12 10:38:41 · 5 answers · asked by burt1234 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
How often should I dress more formally if at all and what do you suggest I buy to beef up my wardrobe? While I sometimes prefer to wear a tie because I feel more professional, I'm afraid that it will create the wrong impression if I'm dressed slightly better than most others.
2006-06-12 10:39:31 · update #1
Start with wearing your button up shirt and tie say once or twice a week for 2 or 3 weeks and then go up to 3 or 4 times a week. OF course you might wait until you move to that side of the street to change your wardrobe all together. Don't sweat it. Just wear what you feel comfortable wearing. Congratulations on your new position. Break a leg.
2006-06-12 10:44:35 · answer #1 · answered by pottersclay70 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Start off with the ties and the good dress pants if others have a problem with that, then it is there problem not yours. If they consider you to be a brown nose then they are the ones with the problem. Just do your job the best you can and be comfortable, but give the job the respect it deserves. Wear the tie, and be happy about it. Your not trying to please or impress the other people in the office you are trying to be yourself. Treat them with kindness and if they say something tell them your not trying to impress them just doing your job. Enjoy your new position and life, it is to short to worry about what others think. Be happy.
2006-06-12 12:19:38 · answer #2 · answered by twentyeight7 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always dress for the job you want. People react positively to well dressed people. You don't have to pay alot to dress well. If you live in the DC area, go to a K&G, Sims, or Filene's Basement. They carry better brands and you can find nice suits and sports jackets. Dress conservatively. Dark suits and jackets, either grey, navy or black. White or blue shirts and a conservative striped or small patterned tie. Get nice shoes and keep them polished. It's well worth the investment. Oh, and find a good barber.
2006-06-12 10:56:06 · answer #3 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a similar problem. I needed to "upscale" my dress when I took my first management position. Simple answer: Find a Men's Wearhouse and tell the salesperson you situation. I have found their salespeople (esp. the female ones) honest and very good at their jobs. They do try to upsell quite a bit, but just keep a handle on them pulling too many outfits.
Eddie Bauer/Land's End/LL Bean are also good places to start.
You should also think of a budget before you go. Changing your pants and shirts means you'll also have to change your shoes, belts, socks, etc. You should expect to spend $500-1000 to get a full wardrobe setup. You don't need to spend it all at one time.
2006-06-12 10:44:29 · answer #4 · answered by steve_daly 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about wearing Dockers with your Polo shirts, then once in a while wear the Dockers with a shirt.
2006-06-12 10:53:57 · answer #5 · answered by Bears 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋