A
female
age
30-35,
*aisy1
writes:HI guys,This isnt a relationship question per sa, but I hope you can offer me some guidance. Basically I work in an office with no dress code so I go to work in jeans and tee shirt. I am allowed to do this if I wish but some of the staff choose to wear smarter attire. My boyfriend keeps nagging me about my lack of "professionalism" in the way I dress and says that I should smarten up to get promotion (which I would like) but am I right in thinking I shouldn't need to do this? If there no dress code surely I shouldn't have to do something that's optional to get promotion?Surely, as I don't see our customers, it makes no odds whether I wear a suit and shoes or jeans and trainers in terms of my ability to do the job? Smartening up isn't going to make me answer more calls or answer a query more successfully!!!!ANy thoughts would be appreciated thank you. Reply to this Question
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male
reader, Serpico  +, writes (30 April 2013):
One of the things I lament most is the decline of dress in the last decade or so. No idea why so many are comfortable going out looking like slobs these days.
That said, if you always want to be perceived as a low level office clerk, then dress like that and its sure to happen. If you want respect and a career track, then dress the part.
I own my own business and I can wear whatever I want to work. What do I have on today and every other day? Suit and tie. It sends a message to both my clients and all who work for me this is a place of business and competence. Proceed accordingly.
A
female
reader, So_Very_Confused +, writes (30 April 2013):
 I work in an office with no dress code. We do not meet the public and do computer security and joke that our dress code is “cover your genitals” It’s that casual here. There is no need or expectation for dressing up. Even my boss wears jeans and polo once or twice a week and his boss rarely wears a suit but most days it’s chinos and a tie for them. In fact, in my office dressing up usually nets you the question “funeral or interview?” That’s how casual it is here.
The first few years I worked here I wore jeans and a shirt most of the time like most folks do. Women mostly wear pants here. It’s rare to see a woman in a skirt or dress. A few years back I lost a great deal of weight and my new partner made it clear that HE prefers me to not wear pants and I’ve switched over and mostly wear skirts and dresses all the time now. It has CHANGED how folks react to me in the office. Not co-workers who got used to it (after the first go round of new outfits were commented on) but the upper management has noticed, my boss now treats me a bit differently as if magically by dressing up I have developed skills and knowledge that I don’t have in jeans and a tee shirt. A few years ago I had a bit of an outburst at work (I’ve been known to do that) and dressing in jeans and a tee shirt netted me small but deserved reprimand. Last week I had a similar outburst. What did that net me? I came in the next morning and I attempted to make the appropriate amends for the outburst and I was told that NOTHING was wrong, and I was justified. The only difference was that now I dress professionally vs dressing like I’m weeding the garden.
I would not say wear a suit and heels daily (I wear flats but not sneakers) but you should consider that your boyfriend is correct, you do not dress for what you currently have but rather you dress for what you want. Dressing for what you aspire to be is just smart business. It shows management that you know what’s appropriate and how to clean up so to speak.
If you wish to advance in your office, my advice, dress like the boss or better. I would suggest that if you are comfortable with it, some dressier slacks and a nice top, and fix your hair and put on a bit of makeup if you wear it.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (30 April 2013): Who would you choose for promotion, the slacker in jeans and a t-shirt or the one who wears smart attire to work and makes an effort?
You can talk about the quality of their work all you want but at the end of the day the smart attire lady is visibly willing to make more of an effort and that would stick in your mind.
"Surely, as I don't see our customers, it makes no odds whether I wear a suit and shoes or jeans and trainers in terms of my ability to do the job?"
OP you're young, so you can be forgiven for thinking the quality of your work matters on its own. It doesn't.
You can be the greatest at your job but then that's all you'll ever do. You will never get promoted to a greater position because you don't make any extra effort, you're just happy being where you are.
OP promotions aren't candy people just throw around, and no one has ever gotten promoted by just being good at their job. People who get promoted are people who go the extra mile when they don't have to, the people who have proven they will go beyond their job description to do what's best for the company. Why would a t-shirt and jeans girl be viewed for a higher level job with the possibility of engaging customers when she can't even bother to turn up looking professional? You just come across as a girl who doesn't give a shit and only shows up.
I worked in a call centre for a couple of years in my 20's. Always turned up in freshly pressed slacks and a clean shirt and tie. No dress coded there either. Most people thought I was pretty strange to dress the way I did but within 6 months I was given a supervisory role. Because guess what, I already looked the part and I wasn't even the best in that office.
OP every job has its uniform. Doctors have their scrubs, bin men have their high vis jackets. In offices smart/smart casual attire is the uniform of the bosses and supervisors, the place you want to be. They will want someone who looks the part and knows how important it is to look the part.
OP you don't sound like promotion material at all. You sound like a girl who won't go beyond to get things done, who won't make the effort if she's not required to and you sound lazy about it too "why should I have to?" is not something people look for in a person they want to promote. "What extra can I do?" is.
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A
female
reader, Honeypie + ♥, writes (30 April 2013):
 I think your BF is dead on with his advice. If you want to move forward, then you need to SHOW that in more ways then just your work.
It might sound shallow, but people DO notice what you wear first, then what you do.
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A
female
reader, oldbag +, writes (29 April 2013):
 Hi
These no dress code jobs are fine, but it's just good to have a work wardrobe, say wearing smart casual instead, it shows you know your 'at work' that you made an effort rather than roll up wearing your weekend clothes, with no apparent thought.
It projects a more professional image to your employers.
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A
male
reader, TeardropsOnMyGuitar  +, writes (29 April 2013):
If you want a promotion then you will dress for your next job.
If you want a promotion (more responsibility and more money) here is the important short list.
- You have to **want** more responsibility. Take on more responsibility than you are currently paid.
- Don't be a pain in the butt. Needy employees who take all their sick days and benefits are just users and those that complain about problems are usually incapable of solving them. People severely underestimate how important it is to not be a needy or a pain.
- Solve problems for your boss - don't just find them.
- Help fellow employees succeed. Teach them your tricks. Encourage them. Be an example for them to follow.
- If a promotion doesn't come after doing that, look elsewhere and in the interview, find a way to tell them that you've done the things above.
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female
reader, person12345 +, writes (29 April 2013):
 "If there no dress code surely I shouldn't have to do something that's optional to get promotion?"
There is basically no way to get a promotion if you only do what is asked of you. Getting a promotion requires you to go above and beyond your level and show them that you deserve a promotion.
"Smartening up isn't going to make me answer more calls or answer a query more successfully!!!!"
That's not the reason to dress nicely. No one has ever worn a nice work outfit because it was practical. Part of our culture is that you dress nicely as a way to show respect. It isn't for any reason other than it's a way to show respect in our culture, just like most displays of politeness have no practical purpose. By dressing nicely you are trying to show them that you are taking your job seriously and are willing to go the extra mile and pay attention to detail.
You don't have to (and probably shouldn't) wear a formal suit, but it's really no skin off your back to just dress up a bit for work. It's just going a little above and beyond to show them you take your job seriously. There is a classic saying "dress for the job you want." That doesn't mean dress in an astronaut outfit or something. It basically means you should look at how the people in the level above you dress, and dress like that. It sends a message that that's where you want to be.
Also on the list, always arriving on time and not leaving early. While you're at it, keep a list of your accomplishments so that at your performance review you can give them specific reasons why you've done well and deserve a promotion.
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