Smart Casual
We are in a period at work when the customers are not present and so the company has given us permission to "dress down" from the normal, highly formalised usual dress mode.
Basically, we can come in in what we like and so for the past few weeks I have been wearing jeans and casual shirts.
Its great: I feel comfortable and relaxed and, because the attire is so comfortable, I don't have any negative sensory issues relating to dress.
I have been conscious however that, on a couple of occasions, I have been insufficiently smart or appropriate. I am not saying that I have been scruffy or unclean, but I have found myself sometimes in dress code that is not consistent or exudes a style that clashes from a colour perspective for example.
On a couple of occasions I have been conscious of the fact that I have been walking around the office and conveying an impression that may seem lacksadaisical or insufficiently caring, i.e, I'm casual as allowed, but the dress still needs to be of sufficient standard to convey a status that commands respect in the eyes of my colleagues.
The issue has reminded me of the need to exude a certain level of appearance (and impression) that ensures that I personally retain required gravitas and to not allow myself to slip back into "my" ways as prompted by my AS.
I'm at work still and I need to remember that!
I think you are very lucky
I think you are very lucky as your company allows you to take proper rest. This is important to achieve the attention of the employer and increase their productivity.
Sudden Dress Change
Slight variation on this theme.
I went to see a film company last night. I was waiting in the meeting room in a suit and had a tie on.
I thought (from past experience) that: this isn't very film, so I took the tie off. Sure enough the person I was due to meet came in without a tie on.
I was quite pleased about all of this: I accorded my dress to match the environment - example of effective empathy!!!
Honestly, I wouldn't worry.
Honestly, I wouldn't worry. They ought to know you by now, and as long as your clothes are clean and neat, there should be no problem.
Doing That Little Bit More
I appreciate what you mean but I honestly don't think that it is as simple as that.
I think there is a grey area where you are not sufficiently "bad" to warrant comment, but you still run the risk of being negatively judged.
In my view its one of those delicate "Asperger Areas"! We consider ourself of course, and think that, so long as we are OK and comfortable - or presentable - from our perspective, then everything is alright.
In a work context I have found that this is rarely the case: people will notice.
By going in the other direction you can reverse this perception and reinforce the positive. If you do that little bit extra and make the effort you can send a really positive message and deflect attention towards others.
I have found that it is really worthwhile making the effort and its invaluable if you are a manager.
Dress code
Tom
I think that you are right Malcolm . People do make judgements , rightly or wrongly. In some ways , smart casual is harder because we can be tempted to be more like ourselves outside work . Some things I have found helpful are :
1) A simple approach is to leave the tie at home - but use the same shirt.
2) In general , observe what others wear - in particular what higher status people wear. Try to fit in with them.
3) In general , if in doubt chooser smarter over more casual , formal over less formal
4) Fit in with social conventions provided they are not too silly . At one place I worked they had 'yellow shirt Thursdays' -don't ask me why.
5). Take care with food and drink - I personally am more careless than others (perhaps poorer coordination) , so I have to make a particular effort
Following the Boss
Tom
I think that the most pertinent piece of advice you have offered is wear what higher status staff wear. I don't think that you can too far wrong with this.
Not sure why you say "wear the same shirt" though? Unless it is plain white of course?
Malcolm
Re shirts
The issue here is fitting in with the group. The example given is of course simply an example - there is nothing intrinsically important about wearing the same shirt per se - its simply what this particular group of people did as a means of reinforcing group identity . So the learning points are to :
1 Have regard to dress as a means of signifying social status
2 Have regard to dress as a means of reinforcing group indentity
Hope this is clearer
T
In other words, we should be
In other words, we should be "corporate clones". Sorry, but I don't buy that.