© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
“Fitting in” at a casual company when my style is formal
After 3 years of self employment as a speaker and tech consultant, I’ve decided to go back to corporate employment. During my “absence” I developed a much stronger sense of my own style, and I’m wondering how to bring that with me.
Most tech companies are very casual. I am not. I wear a dress or skirt, hose, and heels every day. Yes, including the weekends. I own one pair of jeans that I wore last March. I’m also a senior level employee with 20 years of experience.
This combo worked well as a consultant. I have excellent executive presence and people perceive me as a leader.
I have my first in-person interview coming up and I’m imagining sitting in my skirt and heels across from someone in jeans and a T shirt, and I’m projecting that the person will find me out of touch. I know this is in my head, but it’s in my head! :)
Will people think I’m out of touch because I’m more formally dressed than most people? FYI, I live in Portland, OR, where I’m already more formally dressed than 99% of people on a daily basis. I get lots of compliments, but I also get asked what event I’m dressed for when I’m taking out the recycling. ;)
Maggie B
Business and Data Analysis Consultant
983
03/21/19 at 6:18PM UTC
General Motors CEO Mary Barra said it best when she set the dress code at GM to "Dress appropriately." If you know your personal style is a bit more formal, go with it! You may find that your style will relax into a groove depending on the role and the company you make a home at, and if it doesn't, that's cool, too. I know my purple hair won't be at home everywhere, but I also know that it makes me feel more comfortable in my own skin. It comes down to what makes you feel at home in your own body, and as long as those heels don't slow you down when the S hits the fan, you're golden!
Anonymous
03/18/19 at 3:33AM UTC
I work for a tech company. And you are right that a lot of the developers, engineers, etc. dress very casually. In fact, when I walk through the building, some people dress like they just came in from cutting the grass. Not really a fan of the overly-casual trend in IT.
That said, I've always felt you should dress for the job you want. And honestly, senior leaders in IT still dress like they know they are coming to work. Pants suits, dresses with a jacket, nice pants with a blouse/cardigan, etc. Despite the casual nature of IT, there are still meetings with important customers, C-suite meetings, and other events at work where others expect nice attire if you are at that level.
You sound like someone who is either at that level or not far away. So I agree with all the others...dress for the job you want and let the interviewer get a glimpse of your executive presence. They won't be thinking of you as someone wearing a hoodie...they will see you as someone who can hold their own with other senior leaders and customers.
Knock em dead!!! We're all pulling for you. :)
Kimberly SullivanFormer stock trader now Realtor
188
03/16/19 at 2:57PM UTC
For me, overdressed is always preferred to underdressed especially when interviewing. Be who you are and dress how you feel most comfortable and confident! I agree with ABranen above that formal shouldn’t be confused with outdated. Keep fresh and current and you’ll be fine!!! Best of luck. ?
Evelyn Clark, SHRM-SCP HR Leader driving employee engagement & profit
101
03/16/19 at 1:41PM UTC
I interviewed twice last week at a company that has a casual dress code. I was very comfortable in dressing in the role of the candidate as it shows respect for the interviewers, the company and the position. I got the job and will now look forward to the casual style. I’ll still dress up for important events. No matter what, I always dress so that if our banker dropped by unannounced that she/he would still see me as a leader. And that can easily include casual.
Anonymous
03/19/19 at 2:33PM UTC
Congratulations on your new job! And I think its great that you feel comfortable toggling between casual and formal-enough-for-your-banker. Though I heard even Goldman Sachs is dressing down their dress code to become more casual.
Allison BranenExperienced Marketing Professional
106
03/16/19 at 1:29PM UTC
It sounds like you’re interchanging “formal” with “outdated”. You’ll only appear outdated if your clothes and style are dated—and as a first impresssion, that might be perceived as a negative by some people. But if you look current and are impeccably dressed (even though overdressed for the role/environment), I can’t imagine that being a barrier to either getting hired or fitting in once you do.
Kimberly SullivanFormer stock trader now Realtor
188
03/16/19 at 2:51PM UTC
I agree 100%!
lupusgirlSocialMediaBlogger, copywriter, skincare addict.
547
03/15/19 at 11PM UTC
The greatest way to portray confidence and capability, in my opinion, is to feel and look comfortable. Wear what you feel is your best look! I'm sure that even if the company is more on the casual side, there will still be a range of styles and appearances. Knock 'em dead, girl!
Anonymous
03/21/19 at 1:50PM UTC
Like Marie Kondo preaches, wear what sparks joy. If you look good, you'll feel good.
Anonymous
03/15/19 at 10:06PM UTC
Your style sounds lovely. I say work it!! Your confidence will only across as a selling point to potential employers.
Elaine Lindsay • The Bionic Glammapreneur • Integrate and Optimize Method™ Online SpeakerGet You on page one in search results!
14
03/15/19 at 2:08PM UTC
To be fully comfortable for you sounds like well dressed is your go to. Be you Do you. You will come across as more genuine and be more relaxed when you are being true to you. Fly your own flag!!
Crystal Rhinebergerprofessional rofl nevermind lets just wing it
2.29k
03/14/19 at 11:24PM UTC
I think over dressed in neutral colors shows great skill and confidence. I am also offended by how casual the world has become and I’m only 35. Cripe I’m overdressed at the grocery store lol. Reading through it sounds like u deserve to dress well its been earned
Tory FedelTalent Curator and Advocate for Gender Equity
270
03/15/19 at 1:32PM UTC
YES! I mean I love my athleisure, but if there is an opportunity for having my own personal style and being an individual, I will take it! I am frustrated with how casual business causal has gotten.
Sierra ModroTechnical curriculum development manager
465
03/14/19 at 8:27PM UTC
Thanks, everyone! This has been a helpful thread, even if just as a reminder of how important it is to honor our own authenticity! It can be far too easy to get caught in the herd mentality. I remember wearing Dockers and polo shirts back in the late 90s as a software engineer and being miserable the whole time. No more!
Tory FedelTalent Curator and Advocate for Gender Equity
270
03/15/19 at 1:29PM UTC
Love this discussion as well, I am a huge fan of being your authentic self and if who you are is more business than casual - you should where what makes you feel confident and comfortable.
© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.