Workwear

Author
Discussion

Tannedbaldhead

Original Poster:

2,952 posts

139 months

Tuesday 9th August 2022
quotequote all
Who else has gone "tactical" in their work attire?

Though the 80s and 90s my surveying workwear was a smart pair of Marks And Spencer trousers, a shirt and tie, shiny shoes and a dress watch on my wrist. A mucky site visit was made in the same attire only the shoes came off and a pair of rigger boots went on and a viviz jacket was worn.

At some point in the late 90s we went corporate and the dress shirt and tie went and in came a short sleeved shirt with the company logo. The same logo was found on the fleece and Regata coat we were given to keep warm. The trousers were still dress/suit trousers and the shoes were smart lace ups.

Early 2000s and we were in tailored cargo pants and safety boots that rose just above the ankle.

This trend has progressed to today where we look like we are about to invade Russia. We wear double holstered padded knee multiple pocketed tradesman trousers, steel capped boots that go half way up my shins, a company logoed polo shirt, a plastic Casio Gshock watch and a quilted HiViz that looks like a Police bulletproof vest.

Is this an extreme example or are a lot of you in the same boat?

phumy

5,743 posts

244 months

Tuesday 9th August 2022
quotequote all
Tannedbaldhead said:
Who else has gone "tactical" in their work attire?

Though the 80s and 90s my surveying workwear was a smart pair of Marks And Spencer trousers, a shirt and tie, shiny shoes and a dress watch on my wrist. A mucky site visit was made in the same attire only the shoes came off and a pair of rigger boots went on and a viviz jacket was worn.

At some point in the late 90s we went corporate and the dress shirt and tie went and in came a short sleeved shirt with the company logo. The same logo was found on the fleece and Regata coat we were given to keep warm. The trousers were still dress/suit trousers and the shoes were smart lace ups.

Early 2000s and we were in tailored cargo pants and safety boots that rose just above the ankle.

This trend has progressed to today where we look like we are about to invade Russia. We wear double holstered padded knee multiple pocketed tradesman trousers, steel capped boots that go half way up my shins, a company logoed polo shirt, a plastic Casio Gshock watch and a quilted HiViz that looks like a Police bulletproof vest.

Is this an extreme example or are a lot of you in the same boat?
School Lollipop man/lady?

Tannedbaldhead

Original Poster:

2,952 posts

139 months

Tuesday 9th August 2022
quotequote all
phumy said:
School Lollipop man/lady?
Oddly enough I've seen them in Police Viviz jackets which still had "POLICE" written all over them.

Antony Moxey

8,834 posts

226 months

Tuesday 9th August 2022
quotequote all
Depends on what you do I guess. You say ‘surveyor’ but that covers about 50 different disciplines. As a Land Surveyor for 30 years what I wore on the first day was pretty much identical to what I wore on the last.

surveyor

18,143 posts

191 months

Thursday 11th August 2022
quotequote all
As a Chartered Surveyor, I started in a suit and tie, all day every day.

Tie went about 15 years ago, and the suit 10 years ago.

If I'm out on site it's jeans, t-shirt and suitable high viz or coat plus boots etc.

Suits are very rare nowadays.

HTP99

23,306 posts

147 months

Friday 12th August 2022
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Car sales here for a franchised dealer.

We are shirt and tie, same tie for everyone, we have been banging on for years that it is dated and we just don't represent the wider public now and what people expect, finally changes are being made and hopefully we are looking at polo shirts and chino's or similar, so much more modern and comfortable for us.

anonymous-user

61 months

Friday 12th August 2022
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Tannedbaldhead said:
Who else has gone "tactical" in their work attire?

Though the 80s and 90s my surveying workwear was a smart pair of Marks And Spencer trousers, a shirt and tie, shiny shoes and a dress watch on my wrist. A mucky site visit was made in the same attire only the shoes came off and a pair of rigger boots went on and a viviz jacket was worn.

At some point in the late 90s we went corporate and the dress shirt and tie went and in came a short sleeved shirt with the company logo. The same logo was found on the fleece and Regata coat we were given to keep warm. The trousers were still dress/suit trousers and the shoes were smart lace ups.

Early 2000s and we were in tailored cargo pants and safety boots that rose just above the ankle.

This trend has progressed to today where we look like we are about to invade Russia. We wear double holstered padded knee multiple pocketed tradesman trousers, steel capped boots that go half way up my shins, a company logoed polo shirt, a plastic Casio Gshock watch and a quilted HiViz that looks like a Police bulletproof vest.

Is this an extreme example or are a lot of you in the same boat?
To be honest though, if I was doing anything that included the possibility of getting dusty or dirty, then I would much rather dress appropriately than look smart.

I've worn 'smart' clothes for work for 20 years (Suits or shirt/trousers), occasionally I have to go on sites and there is nothing worse than being uncomfortable or worrying about dirtying your clothes on a site. It just distracts you from the task.

It has never made any sense to me that people, like yourself, who spend a portion of their time on sites (or in potentially dirty environments) has to wear smart clothes. Even sitting in your office would be more comfortable and easier in a cargo pants, polo or fleece, rather than a shirt.

People should just wear whatever is the most safe, warm and practical for their work.

99% of my work is in city offices, and I am a big supporter of wearing a suit (and even a tie) for work as I just like it. I like the look and I like seeing other people 'look smart'. If it was up to me, everyone who works in an office would be dressed like a character from 'Suits' biggrin

But, I appreciate that my views are becoming a little outdated, and I'm fine with that!

Lozw86

885 posts

139 months

Friday 12th August 2022
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I spent today working in my boxer shorts only, from home

Bungleaio

6,398 posts

209 months

Sunday 14th August 2022
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surveyor said:
As a Chartered Surveyor, I started in a suit and tie, all day every day.

Tie went about 15 years ago, and the suit 10 years ago.

If I'm out on site it's jeans, t-shirt and suitable high viz or coat plus boots etc.

Suits are very rare nowadays.
BS here and recently switched to decent jeans and a casual shirt having previously worn trousers and shirt every day. I think the last time I wore a suit was for my APC interview.