Is the traditional business suit dead?
Discussion
So my employer has required us to return to the office for 2 days per week.
Traditionally men would wear suits and ties for work.
However, after years of WFH in comfortable clothes, this feels restrictive, uncomfortable, and a bit overly formal for sitting on a laptop.
Aside from meetings with people outside of the business, is it still necessary for men to wear suits in the office?
If not, what are some smart-enough alternatives?
There are some people in lower roles who come in in jeans and t-shirts but to me this looks too dressed down and out of place.
I feel a bit archaic wearing a suit to work alone on a laptop, but what else could I wear? Is the suit a thing of the past now?
Traditionally men would wear suits and ties for work.
However, after years of WFH in comfortable clothes, this feels restrictive, uncomfortable, and a bit overly formal for sitting on a laptop.
Aside from meetings with people outside of the business, is it still necessary for men to wear suits in the office?
If not, what are some smart-enough alternatives?
There are some people in lower roles who come in in jeans and t-shirts but to me this looks too dressed down and out of place.
I feel a bit archaic wearing a suit to work alone on a laptop, but what else could I wear? Is the suit a thing of the past now?
often seen-----Overly tight Business suit wore with white shirt, no tie, and cheap sometimes brown often upturned shoes,
creepy and dreadful.
Casual suit, open neck shirt, or T shirt, good quality shoes or boots, Wear a heavier Jacket and scarf, and leather gloves when it's cold (not one of those crappy M&S stripy, Adder coloured scarves). Looks classy, other blokes will hate you for it. but sly glances from a few women.
creepy and dreadful.
Casual suit, open neck shirt, or T shirt, good quality shoes or boots, Wear a heavier Jacket and scarf, and leather gloves when it's cold (not one of those crappy M&S stripy, Adder coloured scarves). Looks classy, other blokes will hate you for it. but sly glances from a few women.
My role has a dress code of business. However a lot of my work involves meeting the sort of public who are intimidated by that so I tend to flout this dress code and wear slightly more casual.
I find that fit is more important if you wear something that fits properly then you will usually look smart. Chose a fit which suits your body style. I’m short, and slim so I go for a slim/tailored look the break of my trouser leg is important in that any bunching makes me look scruffy or even shorter than I am arm length is also as key.
I tend to wear similar things all the time.
Tailored trousers in a suit style.
Long sleeve knitted polos (top button always done up)
Pique polos but with a button down collar and minimal branding always worn tucked in.
1/4 zip jumpers (no branding)
I don’t often wear shirts because I don’t bother with a tie and they can often look lacking without. If I do wear a shirt it tends to be an Oxford button down.
I stick to darker colours too.
Jackets often let blokes down. They’ll stick a technical puffa over the top of an otherwise smart outfit so there needs to be more consideration there.
In the summer I did experiment with tailored trousers and some white Stan smith trainers. It lasted nearly a week before I was informed I was pushing it too far.
If you want “inspiration” then football managers/pundits can be surprisingly stylish (the ones that don’t wear the training kit)
I find that fit is more important if you wear something that fits properly then you will usually look smart. Chose a fit which suits your body style. I’m short, and slim so I go for a slim/tailored look the break of my trouser leg is important in that any bunching makes me look scruffy or even shorter than I am arm length is also as key.
I tend to wear similar things all the time.
Tailored trousers in a suit style.
Long sleeve knitted polos (top button always done up)
Pique polos but with a button down collar and minimal branding always worn tucked in.
1/4 zip jumpers (no branding)
I don’t often wear shirts because I don’t bother with a tie and they can often look lacking without. If I do wear a shirt it tends to be an Oxford button down.
I stick to darker colours too.
Jackets often let blokes down. They’ll stick a technical puffa over the top of an otherwise smart outfit so there needs to be more consideration there.
In the summer I did experiment with tailored trousers and some white Stan smith trainers. It lasted nearly a week before I was informed I was pushing it too far.
If you want “inspiration” then football managers/pundits can be surprisingly stylish (the ones that don’t wear the training kit)
Edited by FishOutOfWater on Saturday 8th February 18:37
Well fitted chinos, Oxford shirt and wool blazer. I sometimes switch out a quality polo shirt in the summer or a polo neck in the colder months. I’ve lighter jackets too.
To be honest a suit is a bit ott nowadays I do keep meaning to buy a new one though, my new one is about 6 years old and has been worn maybe 3 times.
To be honest a suit is a bit ott nowadays I do keep meaning to buy a new one though, my new one is about 6 years old and has been worn maybe 3 times.
Regbuser said:
FishOutOfWater said:
Jackets often let blokes down. They’ll stick a technical puffa over the top of an otherwise smart outfit so there needs to be more consideration there.
A well fitting blouson jacket in mild weather, and fine wool pea coat when colder.The dress code for my workplace was always smart trousers, collar and tie. It's evolved into chinos/dark jeans and open neck shirts. Definitely not t shirts. Definitely no denim. Company branded polo shirt if manning a trade fair or doing donkey work.
I think there's life in the suit though...I appreciate someone wearing a good well fitting suit, I won't miss the same guys turning up every day in something bought from the M&S outlet three years ago.
I think there's life in the suit though...I appreciate someone wearing a good well fitting suit, I won't miss the same guys turning up every day in something bought from the M&S outlet three years ago.
I keep hoping I can wear Gieves and Hawkes suits I had made a LONG time ago. Because cost per wear has remained the same for at least a decade !
IMHO, the connotation of a suit is for salesmen only. Be that estate agents, 'motor cars', corporate finance, legal services or politics.
I mean if the lawyer who sets up a string of nameplate entities for you in the Caymans can't wear a decent suit, can you really trust him to hide your business dealings from the authorities ?
;-)
IMHO, the connotation of a suit is for salesmen only. Be that estate agents, 'motor cars', corporate finance, legal services or politics.
I mean if the lawyer who sets up a string of nameplate entities for you in the Caymans can't wear a decent suit, can you really trust him to hide your business dealings from the authorities ?
;-)
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