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What do you wear to office and does it make a difference?
  • Vote Up1Vote Down william
    Inspired from this: http://www.pluggd.in/mark-zuckerberg-wore-a-tie-during-recession-297/

    We do the normal, monday to thursday formals, friday onwards casuals ;-) I think its necessary to instill a sense of discipline in a person like me.

    And I am sure its a person to person thing. Big companies including MS etc. do not have any kind of dress code. But for a leader its very important that the right message is passed on to his/her comrades. And my opinion is that formal wear goes a long way in achieving that.
  • 9 Comments sorted by
  • Vote Up2Vote Down vivekvivek
    Though, I loved the article, but I disagree on the dress code thing. I know people say that "Appearance is Everything" but even Zuck was voted worst dressed man in silicon valley last year.

    Does that make him a bad leader? Nope. He wore a tie during a tough time to show his commitment towards his work and his company.

    Personally, I feel uncomfortable wearing formals and love working in a tee and jeans with flip-flops. I can concentrate on work rather than thinking about creases on my shirt or trouser and polish on my shoe.
    I build web :)
  • Vote Up1Vote Down SameerSameer
    I guess it was not about the dress code - it was about creating a talking point internally to get the message across - rather than just send a mail/put up a poster etc.
    Sameer, Bangalore
    http://linger.in
  • Vote Up0Vote Down sinhasinha
    Good point @vivek. I guess broadly speaking, formals actually work when it comes to business meetings/closing deals.
    though I personally hate dress code etc and haven't ever wore the ultra formals (suit/tie), I guess a formal look helps (you are taken more seriously by the stereotype businesses out there).
    I am the founder of Pluggd.in.
  • Vote Up0Vote Down GaneshGanesh
    Point to note here is, the dress code needs to be synchronized across the organization be it casuals or formals.

    If in a company believing in formal dressing, few people turn up in casuals, it looks odd.

    Also dress code of a company coveys a lot about what brand image the company is targeting, like most of the creative and innovative companies keep it casual not only with the dress but overall atmosphere.

    And it is up to individuals and "stereotype businesses" to make a distinction in the casual dressing/atmosphere of a company and seriousness of company towards the work .
  • Vote Up0Vote Down sinhasinha
    In Zuck case, it's not the company culture. He just wanted to be seen as a serious CEO who is just not the 'I am the CEO, bitch' CEO!

    I don't think companies should get into deciding dress code etc, but what really matters is external communication - how do you want to be perceived? I recently met a few sales guys from a known media company and 'judged' him in 2 minutes - he was way too informal (wearing slippers/shorts) and decided not even to talk business with him (there was more than what meets the eyes, as he was literally clueless about Pluggd.in kinda business)..

    First impression does matter - but FB article is more about how a founder decides to show his seriousness towards a business. Very few people think on these lines.
    I am the founder of Pluggd.in.
  • Vote Up0Vote Down anishanish
    I used to work in IBM, where we had the usual Monday to Friday Business formals, and Friday - Sunday Business casuals (though I never understood the concept of business casuals). Anyways, now I work in a start up, where we do not follow a dress code (YET). However, I do not feel the necessity or want for it either.

    We were hiring about a month back, and we held a GD round, wherein the topic was the same. A lot of the people were firing all cylinders saying that Formals show dedication, unity and a whole lot of other words. Me wearing a tshirt will not change my dedication to my firm. I can come in bathroom slippers and yet be the most dedicated employee on the payroll.

    Employees always have a problem with the dress code. Why burden them with work pressure as well as a dress code? Relieve them of the dress code tension atleast. As one had pointed out, Microsoft doesn't have a dress code. I don't see any lack of dedication there. All I used to see are "unfortunate IBM'ers" wishing their company would give them the freedom that Microsoft gives.
    InoVVorX
  • Vote Up0Vote Down SagarSagar
    @anish: I worked in IBM for 3 years till just 6 months back. Never had a dress code ... 
    Newbie start-upper - one half of FlagTrue (http://flagtrue.com), wannabe guitar god, survival cook, sometime cyclist.
  • Vote Up0Vote Down Madani
    @ William

    I think Formals have some sort of magic in them to make you and the presentation look good. So, any day i would prefer Formals if its a business meet. Brings in bodily discipline. 
  • Vote Up0Vote Down anishanish
    @Sagar well I guess it depends from competency to competency.. I was in GTS SD (formerly called ITD-GD), so yes I had a dress code. If you didn't, well all I can say is, lucky you. :)
    InoVVorX
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