Hatrack River Forum: Ironing out the week ahead (a "dubious" chore)

This is topic Ironing out the week ahead (a "dubious" chore) in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by fallow (Member # 6268) on :

I like to look my best, when I can, and my lazy Sunday schedule affords some thought and energy devoted to the approaching work week.

The climate around here is fairly hot, and I'm prone to pulling on a tee and jeans and jetting out the door to work, but sometimes I feel like I should be dressing more maturely. I've got some nice linen and silk shirts, but they require a lot of consideration in my frame of reference.

Is it worth planning out a wardrobe a week in advance, and having everything laid out the night before? What's the best day of the week to shine? or show up grubby?

fallow

[ May 16, 2004, 11:46 PM: Message edited by: fallow ]

Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :

I like to dress up every other day. My off days consist of clever t-shirts; casual yet funny. This way people think I'm respectful enough to dress up and be classy, and also think I'm fun and lighthearted.

At least, this is what I like to imagine. Maybe they just think I'm unbalanced.

Posted by fallow (Member # 6268) on :

Annie,

I doubt that. What would you recommend for a guy?

fallow

Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :

I think shirts you have to button but don't have to wear with a tie are just the right mixture of classy and chic.

Can men be chic in English? If not, substitute the appropriate adjective. GQesque?

Posted by fallow (Member # 6268) on :

tee's are a bad idea then? (for guys)

Posted by Javert (Member # 3076) on :

Is a fat guy wearing a Hawaiian shirt chic? 'Cause, you know, you have to button them up. [Big Grin]

Posted by fallow (Member # 6268) on :

javovert, you button your hawaiians?

Posted by @Ease (Member # 3066) on :

I prefer garanimals. Elephants on Monday, Tigers on Tues.

Seriously though, dockers/chinos and nice polo shirts are a good way to go. I think the key is to wear a nice pair of shoes to dress up, rather than dressing down the casual look. Even on "casual Friday" I would stay away from denim and T-shirts in a professional office setting.

Silk and linen long sleeve, button downs with a tie and slacks or dockers/chinos are very safe, but a pain to keep pressed and ready. You might consider taking your nice shirts to the dry cleaners to do the cleaning and pressing.

Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :

Hmmm. You look good in a tux - why don't you just wear that sort of thing all the time? [Big Grin]

Posted by Javert (Member # 3076) on :

It depends fallow...one is a polo, so yeah...the other one I usually button up...but will occasionally leave it open with another shirt underneath.

Posted by fallow (Member # 6268) on :

shan? tux? dunno... might lose it's appeal.

but seriously, when do you do away with tees and jeans and dress more smartly?

Posted by fallow (Member # 6268) on :

.for the record.

I don't do dockers.

on no. [No No]

fallow

Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :

"but seriously, when do you do away with tees and jeans and dress more smartly?"

When you want to be taken as smart&serious by your customers, fellow workers, and employers: ie anyone with whom you have a working interaction who can bestow professional praise, recommend and/or approve a raise or a promotion, or second a suggestion for a raise or promotion. And that seconding might be provided by a secretary, a clerk, a copyboy, or a janitor (you might be surprised at how low a position on the corporate totem pole that a trusted advisor can occupy)
Customers also might decide to point you toward a better job at another company based on your professional look. Some might be able to offer that better job.

You can be known as the best worker, as the go-to-guy for problem-solving, as quite capable of handling greater responsibilities, but unless you present the appearance that your employer wants to project to his most important clients, you'll be placed on the working sidetrack* rather than the track to the top.
Wanna play with the goths, ya gotta look like a goth. Wanna work with the decision makers, ya gotta look like a decision maker.

* I chose to go offtrack, so my description of the what is isn't based on my taste.

[ May 17, 2004, 04:36 AM: Message edited by: aspectre ]

Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :

*Moans in despair*

It's soooo true! You should see the reaction my birkies have received in the last two months . . . I am going to have to break down and find a non-torturous professional shoe.

Posted by fallow (Member # 6268) on :

*contemplates new thread question*

So, when is it appropriate for a thread-starter to blush and delete his/her ill-conceived thread?

fallow