I’m in that area occassionally and most of the workers there are in long sleeved button downs and a pair of dress slacks. I would wear the jacket and a tie just in case. Its easier to remove the tie and jacket later in the day.
Since it is your first day it is far better to be overdressed rather than under dressed.
Don’t be that guy who wears a short sleeved shirt and a tie.
A messenger bag is fine.
All black, just for the first day when you do the introductions. It gives off an aura of respect. Of course, vary the tone and texture of black between the shoes, socks, pants and shirt. I suggest wool pants, flat black shirt, single pocket, barrel cuffs, and black leather shoes with laces.
Dude, there is no way they sold those shoes in the men’s section.
Save yourself the angst. Call HR and ask if it’s normal to wear a tie. If you don’t get a chance to call, I’d wear one. It’s your first day and if people comment about not needing it, just say you wanted to look good. Who knows, you might end up meeting some higher-ups who were not at your interview and you’ll look extra nice.
Don’t pick tie/no tie thinking you can adjust during the day. If you wear the tie, stick with it the entire day and avoid the situation of having to add the tie on the fly by calling first or wearing one regardless. If I saw the new guy in the bathroom putting on a tie I’d think it was lame.
I agree with Harriet the Spry about not biking your first day if possible. You don’t want to walk in 10 minutes late and sweaty because you mis-judged your route.
Khakis and a white shirt… 
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone in my office wear that, but if you go with a tie, maybe it won’t be as boring as it sounds. A caution against white shirts: If the material is thin, it’s easy to see dark chest hair, tattoos, and the lines from your undershirt if you wear one. Personally, I’d go with khakis and a solid color, button down, long sleve shirt. Blue or green is always good with khakis.
I’d think it was sweet - that he was nervous, and I’d want to help him out.
Of course, he’d be freaked out that I was in the men’s room to see him, so there’s that.
This is just my personal situation but I work in a governmenty type place. Most people wear slacks, blue, khaki or black with a colored button up shirt either short or long sleeved with or without a tie. So it varies depending on the preference of the person. I do not wear a tie though I did wear one my first day just to be on the safe side.
Except if it was Friday and they have completely casual Fridays with the inclusion of jeans.
If I were you I wouldn’t wear a tie in any business casual situation, unless you really like ties.
I disagree with the advice about not taking the tie off if you wear it. I do this all the time at work. If I have to go to court I will wear the suit and tie and then take off the jacket and tie and hang them in a closet. I’m not the only one who does it .
I say, the sexy nurse outfit!
Wait, what were we talking about? Oh, yeah. Long-sleeve and button-down collar so you can remove the tie later in the day if it seems warranted. Better overdressed the first day than under.
Nobody will care what kind of bag you have, as long as it’s not completely falling apart or has some unusual and/or offensive logo on it (and falling apart is OK if you’re a senior attorney using the same bag you have for decades). Just remember, a bunch of the people will be carrying stinky gym bags full of workout clothes. You probably don’t want to be known as the guy with the “Hello Kitty” or “Peter’s House of Porn” bag, but other than that, you’re good.
And you might want to on your first day find out if there’s an employee gym you can join – the feds subsidize a lot of these, and it’s a good place to change/shower before work if your ride is long enough to be sweaty.
Just keep clear of thongs and muscle shirts and you’ll be fine.
Seriously. Who knew that Einstein had a taste for wearing womens shoes?
You don’t realize how strong your ideas of gender and gender-appropriateness are until you see Einstein wearing ladies’ pumps and your brain goes “NO! WRONG! BAD DOG!”
I’d say go with your normal attire. Just leave the cape at my place home.
Hi Lord, I live and work in the Northern Virginia area and am very familiar with what a lot of business and government employees wear around the DC/N.Va. area. I would suggest dark or khaki slacks/pants with a button-down shirt, and a tie on the first day. Business casual really just means NOT a suit. If you get there and no one is wearing a tie, then you could probably ditch it from then on. But I do often see business casual workers wearing a tie. Also, depending on what the atmosphere is like, you may be able to get away with a nice short-sleeved Polo-type shirt with slacks in the summer. This is the usual uniform for DC-area techie types.
Also, yes a messenger bag would be perfect in this environment.
Good luck!!
Thanks to everyone who’s given advice and tips (except for Cluricaun, who has scarred me with that picture.)
I actually rehearsed my commute yesterday morning to see if everything would work out when I go in on Monday. The bike ride was short, only about 8-10 minutes if I keep up a good speed. Since it’s so early in the morning, before it gets hot, I don’t get sweaty enough for it to be a concern. From there, there’s just a subway ride.
Having gotten to the patent office’s campus about 20 minutes before I’m scheduled to be there on Monday, I took the chance to stop and watch the employees going in. The clothing tended toward button up and polo shirts and dark slacks or khakis (as expected.) Ties and sport coats were uncommon but not unheard of.
With these observations, I will continue as planned: a button up shirt and slacks.
Just wanted to say good luck tomorrow! (And I still think you should wear a tie.)
Also, we all forgot to ask what kind of shoes you’re wearing. The shoes make the man!
This cannot be repeated enough. Short sleeves and a tie just screams Sears Appliance Salesman. Do NOT go there. I don’t care how hot it is. You will be the leader of the Nerd Parade forever if you do this.
Whenever I have had an in-person interview with a patent examiner, he’s been wearing a long-sleeve buttoned shirt and slacks. The older ones have worn ties; the younger ones haven’t. There’s usually a sports coat on a hanger on the back of the door. I don’t know if meeting me is a special occasion that they dress up (or down) for. I wear a suit or a dress-jacket combo.
Wear your “Monday” undies!
I’ve rethought and replanned my wardrobe for tomorrow. I will wear a short sleeved shirt and tie in honor of my hero. With these I’ll wear the hot pants nice, feminine pumps that don’t match my belt. That should knock 'em dead.
Seriously, I’ll wear a light blue long sleeved shirt with dark navy (nearly black) slacks. I will also wear a tie in a light and dark blue pattern, cordovan leather dress shoes and belt and black socks.
Thanks to everyone who’s offered advice, suggestions, humor and wishes of luck. I’m pretty nervous but I guess that’s pretty normal at this point.
