The Suit Is Back — Tip of the Week
An earlier post advised of a new book about dress codes. Now there’s more good news. According to the New York Times, the suit is back as part of business attire. More specifically, the cheap suit is back. At one point, a cheap suit attracted only a sneer. Then, any suit attracted a sneer, as employers tumbled head-long into the murky realm of business casual.
It started with casual Friday. Later, it was casual summer. Still today in some workplaces, it’s casual all-the-time with jeans on Fridays.
Of course, workplace attire does depend on one’s job. Suits aren’t appropriate for plenty of very good jobs. But there was a time that having a white collar job meant wearing a suit. It’s exhilarating to those of us who never warmed to casual dress in the workplace to learn that the suit is back.
As far as the cheap suit is concerned, I’ve never been a proponent of highly expensive suits. One of the points made in the Times article is that fashion aficionados trying to take advantage of the suit’s resurgence are intent on keeping the price of a suit below $1,000. Let me assure you. There have always been g00d-looking, well-fitting suits for way less than $1,000.
Since the suit is making a comeback, here are a few tips from someone who never quit wearing them. The coat should have three buttons (be traditional or don’t go to the trouble). The sleeve length will need be be altered as most of us have one arm that’s longer than the other. The pants will also need alteration because all suit pants should be cuffed. Trust me. Suit pants without cuffs are almost as bad as jeans Fridays.
Now, go buy a suit. Regardless of what it costs, you’ll look a million bucks.
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About Chris Parker
Chris Parker's practice focuses on the representation and counseling of companies in matters pertaining to the workplace and the protection of their intellectual property and trade secrets. In addition to serving as an advocate for clients, Mr. Parker is also trained as a mediator and frequently serves as a third-party neutral.
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About Jimmy Daniel
Jimmy Daniel provides counseling to businesses of all sizes related to the employment relationship. He assists in the drafting of employment agreements, policies, and handbooks, as well as provides guidance related to compliance with federal, state, and local legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
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About Larry Bridgesmith
While serving in an Of Counsel relationship with the firm, Mr. Bridgesmith also serves as the Executive Director at the Institute for Conflict Resolution at Lipscomb University and as an officer and principal in Strategic Resolutions Group, LLC. In these roles, Mr. Bridgesmith brings over 30 years of legal experience in dispute resolution and innovative workplace strategies to clients, students and business entities alike.
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If I was looking for a great suite cheep and lived on the east coast I would check out Sym’s. You get both the look of great fashion and the price of inexpensive. John I bet you thought I was just full of leadership advice – I do fashion too. In fact I am very close with the folks at Sym’s and they really do great for business professionals. I bought my last Tux there not to mention my consulting blue cashmere blazer! I can’t speak to their new acquisition of Filene’s Basement but I bet it is only improving since the marriage. Have you seen the Running of the Brides – it is quite a seen.
Hi, an interesting point of view
Peter Landau of Intelligent Dressing (http://intelligentdressing.com )has also been saying that there is a time and place for the business suit.. in his book he shows not only when, but how to use this and your apparel decisions to gain instant rapport and create powerful business relationships.
Good article – keep it up
Mike
One suggestion is to dress like others will (ok – not identical). Or just a bit nicer. People in suits make people in jeans feel uncomfortable – especially in a selling situation.
My rule is just a bit nicer.
Uh oh…does this mean the skirt-suit is back in for women? Ugh.I hate skirts. Although, I’m cool with high heels. I prefer them. At 5ft4in, heels give me a fighting chance of actually being able to look at least a few people in the eye. I am a huge fan of the pant-suit. See, for men, the issue has simply been to suit or not to suit. For women, life is far more complex. We have to decide whether or not to show a little leg as well as whether or not to do that in a casual or traditional fashion.
Jim you are right on with the notion of dressing just a little better. Consultants have to play by slightly different rules. Even if the client’s environment is so casual it’s one step above pajama day, we’re not employees. Showing up in jeans etc. is a W-2 privilege. It’s a sign of respect to dress a cut above the norm.
Gary, Mike, Jim and Nicole,
Thanks to all of you for your insightful comments.
Gary, I had no idea you were a fashion guru on top of your leadership prowess. I’ll keep this in mind.
Mike,thanks for the link to intelligent dressing. Haven’t checked it out yet but will.
Jim, as sort of a purist, I think if one’s work, profession, occupation, or whatever ordinarily calls for dressing up, then you can still dress up without overdoing it. Perhaps a sports coat instead of a suit, or maybe you take off the jacket to meet your standard, which is likely a good one.
Nicole, alas, you caught me. I was speaking only about males and should have, at least, made that clear — or should have included female attire in my analysis. I certainly agree with you that women are more complex than men. There’s also somewhat of a double standard still in a lot of workplaces. While I prefer a dress/skirt in a professional setting, the pants suit won its place a long time ago.
Thanks again to all of you.
John