Is the world under dressed or am I just an old fart?

[David]

I keep seeing politicians, TV hosts, news show guests, etc in a jacket with no tie and I'm thinking really? How hard is it to put a tie on and look much more presentable?

Or men in nice restaurants in T-shirts?

And don't get me started on Bill Belichick!

Is it just me?

[1990C4S]

Ties are passe. I am not even allowed to wear one where I work.

[ckcarr]

It's the way of the world now... slovenliness...


When I started my accounting career years ago it was always tie and sportcoat, nice slacks and good shoes.


Today, I sit in my office with a black tee shirt and shorts, with hiking shoes or sandals...


There's a person that works here, a millennial, that dresses so poorly it's disgusting. Plus tattoos everywhere. She presents a terrible picture.


I'm the only normal one.

[VincentVega]

Funny. Yes, you sound old.

I think it goes too far sometimes but no complaints here about demise of ties.

[NY65912]

Nope,

I'm with you David

It takes just a little more work to look respectful (for others and oneself) and in my eyes presentable.

But then again, I'm an old fart.

[Craig T]

A tie? Nobody wears a tie anymore in business. I kept two ties from the old days specifically for weddings and funerals.

Before retiring last year, my last five years of professional life was dealing with NYC venture capital, private equity, and big Corp M&A exec's. NONE of them wore ties. Suits are rare period. The standard now is nice slacks, expensive cotton shirt, and heavily tailored jacket.

Since retiring, my standard restaurant attire is flip flops, cargo shorts, and a tee shirt. If it's a nice restaurant, I'll wear a golf shirt with a collar left untucked....I might even make an effort to match my flip flops to my golf shirt...but that's gotta be a really nice restaurant.

[VincentVega]

I know what you mean, I miss the days when people cared about their appearance.

[sand_man]

I actually like the no tie look; provided it's accompanied by a sharp jacket/sport coat, nice shirt, pants, belt, and shoes. And it all needs to fit properly!!! That's what I notice; poorly fitting clothes that are out dated.

[sand_man]

Obviously there are occasions when, yes, it should be a suit WITH a tie!

[widebody911]

It's the way of the world now... slovenliness...

Fashion evolves. I'll bet a slob as yourself doesn't so much as bother with a ruff; you probably showed up at the office today without a doublet or a rapier, either.

[rockfan4]

My office has a dress code but nobody follows it. My boss regularly wears tennis shoes. I saw a woman who worked upstairs wearing stripper heels one day, but their dept has moved to another building. You also used to have a collar on your shirt, but it looks like you can wear t-shirts now, not that anyone in my dept does.

Unacceptable
Bare feet and / or legs
Clothing that does not cover the midriff section of the body (in a standing or sitting position).
Sweatshirts (including Company logo wear)
T-Shirts with advertising, cartoon characters, slogans, etc.; oversized T-shirts, Tops or dresses that are: tank, halter, spaghetti strap, backless, off the shoulder, sheer, low neckline, cropped. (Sleeveless tops / dresses are permitted)
Transparent fabrics
Exposed Undergarments
Workout wear (also includes spandex)
Flannel and denim material of any color/pattern.
Drawstring/gathered leg pants, pants above mid-calf, sweatpants, spandex leggings, low-rise pants showing skin below the waist and painter pants.
Skirts that are shorter than 2 inches above the knee; mini skirts
Highly casual sandals, Flip flops or sandals that have straps/material between the toes.
‘Crocks’ footwear
Hiking / work boots
Athletic shoes (exceptions to this rule need management approval)
Bib overall style pants / dresses
Shorts of any length

Acceptable
Tops must have appropriate neckline (no cleavage)
T-shirts, plain or Company Logo. Company Logo apparel is acceptable (excluding sweatshirts) if it is in good condition.
Vests, Blazers, Sweaters
Dress pants, Dressy Corduroy Pants, Dressy capris and cropped pants (must wear hosiery as you would with a dress/skirt), cotton twill pants (like Dockers)
Jewelry must be minimal and worn in good taste
Clothing must be clean and well-fitted.
Business Footwear: Professional slip on or tie-up dress shoes; sandals; canvas footwear; clean and in good repair. Open-toed shoes are acceptable.
Dresses, skirts, jumpers and skirt-type gauchos are acceptable and should be no more than two inches above the knee.

Jeans: Jeans, other apparel made of denim material and sweatshirts with the Company logo may be worn on Fridays (exceptions permitted at manager’s discretion). Jeans cannot be tattered, worn, bleached or faded, or have any holes. All other guidelines within this policy shall apply.

[drkshdw]

Guys that wear ties and jackets are like guys that wear suspenders and belts. Doing both just looks stupid. Pick one or the other.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Ties are passe. I am not even allowed to wear one where I work.

I don't think that's legal.

Originally Posted by Craig T

A tie? Nobody wears a tie anymore in business. I kept two ties from the old days specifically for weddings and funerals.

Before retiring last year, my last five years of professional life was dealing with NYC venture capital, private equity, and big Corp M&A exec's. NONE of them wore ties. Suits are rare period. The standard now is nice slacks, expensive cotton shirt, and heavily tailored jacket.

Since retiring, my standard restaurant attire is flip flops, cargo shorts, and a tee shirt. If it's a nice restaurant, I'll wear a golf shirt with a collar left untucked....I might even make an effort to match my flip flops to my golf shirt...but that's gotta be a really nice restaurant.

That's too bad as one of the reasons I go to a nice restaurant is to leave the Taco Bell crowd at the door.

Originally Posted by sand_man

I actually like the no tie look; provided it's accompanied by a sharp jacket/sport coat, nice shirt, pants, belt, and shoes. And it all needs to fit properly!!! That's what I notice; poorly fitting clothes that are out dated.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by sand_man

Obviously there are occasions when, yes, it should be a suite WITH a tie!

Even at funerals and weddings I see very casual dress. Since I'm an old fart, I wear a black suit with a subtle tie although I avoid these occasions. As such, my suit is out of date now. I might be better off dressing down a bit with some nice duds. I'm sure a black jacket and dark gray pants would be acceptable.

An observation: until my wife's retirement we usual attended the annual holiday party put on by our port, one of the largest in the US. You could easily spot the higher ups and politicians. Lower management always seemed to dress the part. And it seems the ladies always have a nice cocktail dress on, including my wife, no matter how the husband presents himself. That alone was a good reason to suit up.

So which comes first, the chicken or the egg? If you're aspiring, shouldn't you join the ranks of those above you in dress?

[herr_oberst]

Why wear a tie when you can really stand out with an ascot?

[mrbeverlyhills]

Thing that gets me is air travel. I go to London regularly and the outfits some folks come up with make you laugh out loud; heading to London in February and I routinely see shorts, flip flops, baseball hat, tats and a muscle T shirt. Have fun waiting for a bus, wanker.

[Rick Lee]

I just came back from a few weeks in Germany. The majority of men on the street were wearing sweatpants. WTF?

[sand_man]

LOLz, lariat/bolo, anyone:

[Zeke]

@rockfan4 the "no bare legs" seems a bit strict. Women have not worn hosiery for years. Even somewhat 'dressed up'.

[jwasbury]

I wear a suit daily, with no tie. I’ve not been accused of slovenliness before.

[LWJ]

Go to Milan. They dress sharp there.