In the software industry, there’s an inverse relationship between a person’s value and how well they dress. I’ve worked with artists with mohawks, elaborate facial piercings, ponytails, and wizard beards. I’ve known programmers that wear Birkenstocks and shorts in the dead of winter, guys that clomp around in knee high army boots with their pants tucked in, and one guy who simply wouldn’t wear shoes. I’ve seen (twice, at two different companies) a guy sitting at his desk writing code with no shirt on. These guys are indispensible, and they can wear what they damn well please. The assistant director of licensing, on the other hand, wears slacks in an attempt to distract from the fact that he can’t actually do anything.
From my company handbook:
“There is no dress code for the office, however please note this is a casual office so wearing business suits, etc. is not advised.”
The future is here, and it doesn’t care for chinos.
I don’t disagree with the OP. I can understand his frustration.
But…I’m socially programmed to think of a suit and tie as “dressed up”.
If we’re attempting to break out of the suit and tie = dressed up social norm, can you give me an example of what you’d rather wear when attending a job interview, a formal wedding, a funeral…or any event where you wanted to convey a level of respect to the people you’d be meeting?
You say that you want your clothes to convey a certain message. I’m assuming that your message on a job interview is “I want this job or I am perfect for this job”…at a funeral it might be “I’m saddened by your loss or I share your grief”…
I’m just curious what the non suit wearing future would be like. How would you convey respect in these situations if you could wear anything you want? I’d love for there to be more options, but I’m not sure what they are.
So am I. Heck, if I’m out for a fancy dinner with my wife, I’ll wear a jacket and tie at the very least. She puts forth the effort to look good (dress or suit, hair and makeup), and I feel I ought to look like the kind of gentleman who would accompany such a fine-looking lady to dinner. Since “looking good” for a guy in such situations generally requires a jacket and tie, that’s what I wear.
But I understand the OP’s frustrations. Let’s face it, a tie is silly and can be uncomfortable; and the only really good thing that can be said about it is that it is one of the few pieces of men’s apparel that allows the man a little free expression. For example, I like my tie that is covered with tiny Elmer Fudds; at a distance, it looks like a generic pattern but close up, it’s Elmer with a voice balloon saying, “Kill the wabbit.” Meh, if I have to wear a suit, at least I can have a little fun with my tie.
Being in the legal profession, I will say this: if you’re a man, you stand a better chance of succeeding in your lawsuit or as a criminal defendant if you try to look your best, up to and including wearing a suit and tie. It may not be fair and it may not be right, but it’s the way things are. Buck the trend, and you may not get the result you’re looking for. Go with the flow, and at least your chances are increased. Look at it this way: if you’re on a jury, who is more trustworthy–the guy who made the effort to come to court in a jacket and tie, or the guy who decided to be “creative” that day? Remember the judge in My Cousin Vinny and his ragging on Vinnie for wearing a leather jacket to court? There are many like him. Look like the judge and jury expect you to look, and they will listen to your lawyer’s arguments, instead of judging you on what you’re wearing.
I dislike suits for pragmatic reasons… They are uncomfortable, for the most part. They are expensive and maintenance intensive(more so at least than jeans and t-shirts/polos). The fabric is weak and easily ruined, necessitating care in what you do in them. The ties have zero practical purpose and are uncomfortable to wear. The jackets restrict your arm motion.
So while I don’t hate them, I consider them silly outfits, and will probably only ever wear one to parents/grandparents funerals in order to make the family happy.