Should I dress more professionally than my superiors?

Question

I'm starting a new job, a professional one, but surprisingly most of my superiors rarely wear ties or strictly business clothes. They certainly don't wear jeans but I'm used to looking more professional and want to convey my work ethic in my presentation. I'm concerned, however, that dressing more professionally (and I'm just talking about a standard business suit) than them could cause them to think that I somehow view myself as better or something stupid like that. Am I just being paranoid, or what is the best way to approach this? Thanks

Answer 1

To always dress much, much better than your superiors (and I assume your peers), may hurt you because you could be seen as not fitting in. Being perceived as a good teammate is very important, don't risk coming off as aloof by far outdressing everyone around you. You need to fit into the culture of the organization/department.

It's fine to be one of the better dressed staff members (in fact, it's an excellent idea), but don't go so far as to look out of place. Don't be the only one who wears a tie, for example. Don't be the only one who does not dress casually on casual Friday (assuming your workplace has such a thing).

Answer 2

I know, Business Schools and lots of self-help books tell you to dress one level up from where you job is, in your case more professional, to show that you want to convey your work ethic. I've been in the working world for a very long time and I'm here to say "dress like your co-workers, if you don't you will be shunned and ridiculed not only by them but by others in the office.

Answer 3

I would start out slightly better dressed - wait for the boss to tell you it's OK to dress down a bit. I think that since you are just starting a job, no one is going to be offended if you dress a little better than those who have been around, but you could offend if you dress like everyone else right away - they may think that you aren't trying to impress, which is something you should do at first. If no one says anything to you about your dress, keep doing what you are doing. If, down the road, you want a promotion, start dressing like the job you want, not the one you have.
Good Luck.

Answer 4

I say dress with the crowd. I like wearing suits, but all of the other employees at my job, dress down a bit more...casual professional I believe they call it. It's still ok to wear the tie, but maybe go without the jacket. I wear the slacks and a button down, but no jacket. In the beginning, I was wearing a suit everyday. Although my superiors didn't seem to mind, I felt like I didn't fit in. Now I wear suits for important meetings and court appearances because I feel great in a power suit, but I keep it to casual professional on other days.

Answer 5

In Corporate America to survive and thrive you must blend in, not stand out. Do what is expected of you and not more or less. Like dont volunteer for all the over time. You look like a sucup and they will just take avantage of you. If you work harder than everyone else, it is easier for them to fire you than to make a whole department work harder. The boss will just say you were doing poor woor quality or something. It is a very strange job world out there. You can get more praise by meeting the minimum standard than by excelling. Years of Corporate America and this is the true survival kit. The bottom line your working for an income. Get a check and be happy to just blend in. Ignore my advice and soon you will be wondering what happened to your job...

Answer 6

Dress the same as your peers. Unfortunately for you, there is a guy who wears suits to my work and he's new, but the business attire is only business casual. And I hear people ask why does he wear suits? And they refer to him as the guy who always wears the tie.

When you start a new job, you want to fit in with everyone else around you. I wouldn't try to stand out so quickly. Business casual isn't unprofessional if its the norm.

Answer 7

As long as you don't project an attitude that says that you're better than them dressing up in a suit should not give them that impression. Just be friendly and nice to everyone since this is a new job.

Answer 8

I would dress in a manner than matches the people who work around me.

In business you aren't dressing to look formal, you're dressing to fit in.

Answer 9

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.