Dress code exists, but coworkers do not follow it. How to dress?












14















I recently started an intern position in a new office, and was told that the dress code is business casual. In theory, it is also the case that there are "dress down Fridays", where jeans are explicitly listed as acceptable attire.



In practice, however, it is the case that most of the office usually dresses somewhere between business casual and casual. Many of my coworkers (and even some in management) will wear jeans every day to work, and t-shirts are not an uncommon sight.



This is a fairly easy going office, so I'm sure that being slightly under/overdressed wouldn't be a big problem to begin with; at a company happy hour, I was actually told by a member of another team that I must be new because "I dressed too nice".



If a dress code exists but is not strictly followed, what should one dress? I'm inclined to observe my coworkers and dress alike, but there is some significant variation in that (some dress more casual and some more formal, which makes that quite a bit harder). Nearly everyone else in the company is more senior than I am - so I have no example to set - but I believe I do have to be concerned about whatever "privileges" someone more senior may have.



This is in the US, and I work at a tech company situated in a more traditional office setting.



edit: I am in software development, and not in a customer facing position.










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  • Are you on the technical or non-technical side? I find that in Silicon Valley, engineers tend to be more dressed down and some will look down on those dressed too well.

    – jcmack
    7 hours ago






  • 2





    I'm pretty sure I have now or I used to have "business casual" in some of my employments. Now I google for it and discover it bans jeans, for example. Which would sound insane to any of the employments. Probably whoever put it there has different idea of what it means.

    – max630
    6 hours ago








  • 6





    The dress code is followed. It's just that the dress code is not what's written down, but how people actually dress.

    – gnasher729
    5 hours ago






  • 6





    "If a dress code exists but is not strictly followed, what should one dress?" - there's a saying that goes: Do business as business is done. Just wear clothing similar to what you see others wear - particularly others at higher positions for which you aspire.

    – Joe Strazzere
    5 hours ago






  • 2





    @JoeStrazzere your comment should be an answer. I wish I could accept comments

    – osuka_
    4 hours ago
















14















I recently started an intern position in a new office, and was told that the dress code is business casual. In theory, it is also the case that there are "dress down Fridays", where jeans are explicitly listed as acceptable attire.



In practice, however, it is the case that most of the office usually dresses somewhere between business casual and casual. Many of my coworkers (and even some in management) will wear jeans every day to work, and t-shirts are not an uncommon sight.



This is a fairly easy going office, so I'm sure that being slightly under/overdressed wouldn't be a big problem to begin with; at a company happy hour, I was actually told by a member of another team that I must be new because "I dressed too nice".



If a dress code exists but is not strictly followed, what should one dress? I'm inclined to observe my coworkers and dress alike, but there is some significant variation in that (some dress more casual and some more formal, which makes that quite a bit harder). Nearly everyone else in the company is more senior than I am - so I have no example to set - but I believe I do have to be concerned about whatever "privileges" someone more senior may have.



This is in the US, and I work at a tech company situated in a more traditional office setting.



edit: I am in software development, and not in a customer facing position.










share|improve this question









New contributor




osuka_ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





















  • Are you on the technical or non-technical side? I find that in Silicon Valley, engineers tend to be more dressed down and some will look down on those dressed too well.

    – jcmack
    7 hours ago






  • 2





    I'm pretty sure I have now or I used to have "business casual" in some of my employments. Now I google for it and discover it bans jeans, for example. Which would sound insane to any of the employments. Probably whoever put it there has different idea of what it means.

    – max630
    6 hours ago








  • 6





    The dress code is followed. It's just that the dress code is not what's written down, but how people actually dress.

    – gnasher729
    5 hours ago






  • 6





    "If a dress code exists but is not strictly followed, what should one dress?" - there's a saying that goes: Do business as business is done. Just wear clothing similar to what you see others wear - particularly others at higher positions for which you aspire.

    – Joe Strazzere
    5 hours ago






  • 2





    @JoeStrazzere your comment should be an answer. I wish I could accept comments

    – osuka_
    4 hours ago














14












14








14


1






I recently started an intern position in a new office, and was told that the dress code is business casual. In theory, it is also the case that there are "dress down Fridays", where jeans are explicitly listed as acceptable attire.



In practice, however, it is the case that most of the office usually dresses somewhere between business casual and casual. Many of my coworkers (and even some in management) will wear jeans every day to work, and t-shirts are not an uncommon sight.



This is a fairly easy going office, so I'm sure that being slightly under/overdressed wouldn't be a big problem to begin with; at a company happy hour, I was actually told by a member of another team that I must be new because "I dressed too nice".



If a dress code exists but is not strictly followed, what should one dress? I'm inclined to observe my coworkers and dress alike, but there is some significant variation in that (some dress more casual and some more formal, which makes that quite a bit harder). Nearly everyone else in the company is more senior than I am - so I have no example to set - but I believe I do have to be concerned about whatever "privileges" someone more senior may have.



This is in the US, and I work at a tech company situated in a more traditional office setting.



edit: I am in software development, and not in a customer facing position.










share|improve this question









New contributor




osuka_ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












I recently started an intern position in a new office, and was told that the dress code is business casual. In theory, it is also the case that there are "dress down Fridays", where jeans are explicitly listed as acceptable attire.



In practice, however, it is the case that most of the office usually dresses somewhere between business casual and casual. Many of my coworkers (and even some in management) will wear jeans every day to work, and t-shirts are not an uncommon sight.



This is a fairly easy going office, so I'm sure that being slightly under/overdressed wouldn't be a big problem to begin with; at a company happy hour, I was actually told by a member of another team that I must be new because "I dressed too nice".



If a dress code exists but is not strictly followed, what should one dress? I'm inclined to observe my coworkers and dress alike, but there is some significant variation in that (some dress more casual and some more formal, which makes that quite a bit harder). Nearly everyone else in the company is more senior than I am - so I have no example to set - but I believe I do have to be concerned about whatever "privileges" someone more senior may have.



This is in the US, and I work at a tech company situated in a more traditional office setting.



edit: I am in software development, and not in a customer facing position.







software-industry united-states dress-code






share|improve this question









New contributor




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share|improve this question









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share|improve this question




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edited 6 hours ago







osuka_













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asked 7 hours ago









osuka_osuka_

1747




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Check out our Code of Conduct.













  • Are you on the technical or non-technical side? I find that in Silicon Valley, engineers tend to be more dressed down and some will look down on those dressed too well.

    – jcmack
    7 hours ago






  • 2





    I'm pretty sure I have now or I used to have "business casual" in some of my employments. Now I google for it and discover it bans jeans, for example. Which would sound insane to any of the employments. Probably whoever put it there has different idea of what it means.

    – max630
    6 hours ago








  • 6





    The dress code is followed. It's just that the dress code is not what's written down, but how people actually dress.

    – gnasher729
    5 hours ago






  • 6





    "If a dress code exists but is not strictly followed, what should one dress?" - there's a saying that goes: Do business as business is done. Just wear clothing similar to what you see others wear - particularly others at higher positions for which you aspire.

    – Joe Strazzere
    5 hours ago






  • 2





    @JoeStrazzere your comment should be an answer. I wish I could accept comments

    – osuka_
    4 hours ago



















  • Are you on the technical or non-technical side? I find that in Silicon Valley, engineers tend to be more dressed down and some will look down on those dressed too well.

    – jcmack
    7 hours ago






  • 2





    I'm pretty sure I have now or I used to have "business casual" in some of my employments. Now I google for it and discover it bans jeans, for example. Which would sound insane to any of the employments. Probably whoever put it there has different idea of what it means.

    – max630
    6 hours ago








  • 6





    The dress code is followed. It's just that the dress code is not what's written down, but how people actually dress.

    – gnasher729
    5 hours ago






  • 6





    "If a dress code exists but is not strictly followed, what should one dress?" - there's a saying that goes: Do business as business is done. Just wear clothing similar to what you see others wear - particularly others at higher positions for which you aspire.

    – Joe Strazzere
    5 hours ago






  • 2





    @JoeStrazzere your comment should be an answer. I wish I could accept comments

    – osuka_
    4 hours ago

















Are you on the technical or non-technical side? I find that in Silicon Valley, engineers tend to be more dressed down and some will look down on those dressed too well.

– jcmack
7 hours ago





Are you on the technical or non-technical side? I find that in Silicon Valley, engineers tend to be more dressed down and some will look down on those dressed too well.

– jcmack
7 hours ago




2




2





I'm pretty sure I have now or I used to have "business casual" in some of my employments. Now I google for it and discover it bans jeans, for example. Which would sound insane to any of the employments. Probably whoever put it there has different idea of what it means.

– max630
6 hours ago







I'm pretty sure I have now or I used to have "business casual" in some of my employments. Now I google for it and discover it bans jeans, for example. Which would sound insane to any of the employments. Probably whoever put it there has different idea of what it means.

– max630
6 hours ago






6




6





The dress code is followed. It's just that the dress code is not what's written down, but how people actually dress.

– gnasher729
5 hours ago





The dress code is followed. It's just that the dress code is not what's written down, but how people actually dress.

– gnasher729
5 hours ago




6




6





"If a dress code exists but is not strictly followed, what should one dress?" - there's a saying that goes: Do business as business is done. Just wear clothing similar to what you see others wear - particularly others at higher positions for which you aspire.

– Joe Strazzere
5 hours ago





"If a dress code exists but is not strictly followed, what should one dress?" - there's a saying that goes: Do business as business is done. Just wear clothing similar to what you see others wear - particularly others at higher positions for which you aspire.

– Joe Strazzere
5 hours ago




2




2





@JoeStrazzere your comment should be an answer. I wish I could accept comments

– osuka_
4 hours ago





@JoeStrazzere your comment should be an answer. I wish I could accept comments

– osuka_
4 hours ago










5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes


















36














As an intern you adhere to the rules. Don't worry about what others are doing. If you look more professional than them that's a bonus, not a liability.






share|improve this answer
























  • Exactly correct in every word.

    – Fattie
    6 hours ago



















33














As in intern, you should follow the advice of your direct Manager. It doesn't hurt to clarify the situation.



Their answer is likely to lead you to dress to the prevailing norms or better.



Meaning, while jeans and a t-shirt are common, you stick with jeans and a polo. You don't want to be over dressed, despite the technical rules. That gives the impression you're not really part of the team.






share|improve this answer

































    9














    I think you've had good advice so far. At the very least, I'd learn more about the company culture and try and understand why the policy isn't being followed before joining the crowd.



    An obvious example of needing to understand the culture is that there could be an element of "while the cat's away the mice can play" in how people are dressing down more often and they will all go back to "normal" if they know a particular senior is visiting, or a client demo is arranged or whatever. If you don't know that then you easily could be caught out.






    share|improve this answer
























    • +1. My last company had a dress code imposed by headquarters . . . except that headquarters was far away in another state, and everyone in my small office completely ignored the dress code except on the rare occasions that someone from management was visiting. (We did try to warn our interns and new hires about that, but better to ask and be sure.)

      – ruakh
      53 mins ago



















    4














    It's perfectly fine to stay with business casual if that's what you are most comfortable in. If you wish to wear jeans and t-shirt, just ask your manager/team lead at your next one-on-one meeting if it were okay to do so. Most likely this is a non-issue.






    share|improve this answer































      2














      Johns-305 had a good answer in "dress to the prevailing norms or better", and that's what I would recommend, regardless of what the on-paper dress code says.



      However, there's a possible cultural misunderstanding going on. Business casual is an ambiguous term that varies greatly depending on where you live and what industry you work in, and it may mean something different to the company than it does to you. In the western US, and at technology companies in particular (you mention being a software developer), it tends to be much more casual than other places or industries. I work at a software company in Denver, and our "business casual" dress code just means "nice jeans without holes, T-shirts are okay as long as you look clean and not ratty". I don't know the particulars of your office, but it sounds like your coworkers are adhering to the dress code as understood by the company.






      share|improve this answer








      New contributor




      Kerry McKean is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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        5 Answers
        5






        active

        oldest

        votes








        5 Answers
        5






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes









        36














        As an intern you adhere to the rules. Don't worry about what others are doing. If you look more professional than them that's a bonus, not a liability.






        share|improve this answer
























        • Exactly correct in every word.

          – Fattie
          6 hours ago
















        36














        As an intern you adhere to the rules. Don't worry about what others are doing. If you look more professional than them that's a bonus, not a liability.






        share|improve this answer
























        • Exactly correct in every word.

          – Fattie
          6 hours ago














        36












        36








        36







        As an intern you adhere to the rules. Don't worry about what others are doing. If you look more professional than them that's a bonus, not a liability.






        share|improve this answer













        As an intern you adhere to the rules. Don't worry about what others are doing. If you look more professional than them that's a bonus, not a liability.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 7 hours ago









        KilisiKilisi

        117k66256448




        117k66256448













        • Exactly correct in every word.

          – Fattie
          6 hours ago



















        • Exactly correct in every word.

          – Fattie
          6 hours ago

















        Exactly correct in every word.

        – Fattie
        6 hours ago





        Exactly correct in every word.

        – Fattie
        6 hours ago













        33














        As in intern, you should follow the advice of your direct Manager. It doesn't hurt to clarify the situation.



        Their answer is likely to lead you to dress to the prevailing norms or better.



        Meaning, while jeans and a t-shirt are common, you stick with jeans and a polo. You don't want to be over dressed, despite the technical rules. That gives the impression you're not really part of the team.






        share|improve this answer






























          33














          As in intern, you should follow the advice of your direct Manager. It doesn't hurt to clarify the situation.



          Their answer is likely to lead you to dress to the prevailing norms or better.



          Meaning, while jeans and a t-shirt are common, you stick with jeans and a polo. You don't want to be over dressed, despite the technical rules. That gives the impression you're not really part of the team.






          share|improve this answer




























            33












            33








            33







            As in intern, you should follow the advice of your direct Manager. It doesn't hurt to clarify the situation.



            Their answer is likely to lead you to dress to the prevailing norms or better.



            Meaning, while jeans and a t-shirt are common, you stick with jeans and a polo. You don't want to be over dressed, despite the technical rules. That gives the impression you're not really part of the team.






            share|improve this answer















            As in intern, you should follow the advice of your direct Manager. It doesn't hurt to clarify the situation.



            Their answer is likely to lead you to dress to the prevailing norms or better.



            Meaning, while jeans and a t-shirt are common, you stick with jeans and a polo. You don't want to be over dressed, despite the technical rules. That gives the impression you're not really part of the team.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited 4 hours ago

























            answered 6 hours ago









            Johns-305Johns-305

            2,442513




            2,442513























                9














                I think you've had good advice so far. At the very least, I'd learn more about the company culture and try and understand why the policy isn't being followed before joining the crowd.



                An obvious example of needing to understand the culture is that there could be an element of "while the cat's away the mice can play" in how people are dressing down more often and they will all go back to "normal" if they know a particular senior is visiting, or a client demo is arranged or whatever. If you don't know that then you easily could be caught out.






                share|improve this answer
























                • +1. My last company had a dress code imposed by headquarters . . . except that headquarters was far away in another state, and everyone in my small office completely ignored the dress code except on the rare occasions that someone from management was visiting. (We did try to warn our interns and new hires about that, but better to ask and be sure.)

                  – ruakh
                  53 mins ago
















                9














                I think you've had good advice so far. At the very least, I'd learn more about the company culture and try and understand why the policy isn't being followed before joining the crowd.



                An obvious example of needing to understand the culture is that there could be an element of "while the cat's away the mice can play" in how people are dressing down more often and they will all go back to "normal" if they know a particular senior is visiting, or a client demo is arranged or whatever. If you don't know that then you easily could be caught out.






                share|improve this answer
























                • +1. My last company had a dress code imposed by headquarters . . . except that headquarters was far away in another state, and everyone in my small office completely ignored the dress code except on the rare occasions that someone from management was visiting. (We did try to warn our interns and new hires about that, but better to ask and be sure.)

                  – ruakh
                  53 mins ago














                9












                9








                9







                I think you've had good advice so far. At the very least, I'd learn more about the company culture and try and understand why the policy isn't being followed before joining the crowd.



                An obvious example of needing to understand the culture is that there could be an element of "while the cat's away the mice can play" in how people are dressing down more often and they will all go back to "normal" if they know a particular senior is visiting, or a client demo is arranged or whatever. If you don't know that then you easily could be caught out.






                share|improve this answer













                I think you've had good advice so far. At the very least, I'd learn more about the company culture and try and understand why the policy isn't being followed before joining the crowd.



                An obvious example of needing to understand the culture is that there could be an element of "while the cat's away the mice can play" in how people are dressing down more often and they will all go back to "normal" if they know a particular senior is visiting, or a client demo is arranged or whatever. If you don't know that then you easily could be caught out.







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered 7 hours ago









                Rob MoirRob Moir

                5,18831735




                5,18831735













                • +1. My last company had a dress code imposed by headquarters . . . except that headquarters was far away in another state, and everyone in my small office completely ignored the dress code except on the rare occasions that someone from management was visiting. (We did try to warn our interns and new hires about that, but better to ask and be sure.)

                  – ruakh
                  53 mins ago



















                • +1. My last company had a dress code imposed by headquarters . . . except that headquarters was far away in another state, and everyone in my small office completely ignored the dress code except on the rare occasions that someone from management was visiting. (We did try to warn our interns and new hires about that, but better to ask and be sure.)

                  – ruakh
                  53 mins ago

















                +1. My last company had a dress code imposed by headquarters . . . except that headquarters was far away in another state, and everyone in my small office completely ignored the dress code except on the rare occasions that someone from management was visiting. (We did try to warn our interns and new hires about that, but better to ask and be sure.)

                – ruakh
                53 mins ago





                +1. My last company had a dress code imposed by headquarters . . . except that headquarters was far away in another state, and everyone in my small office completely ignored the dress code except on the rare occasions that someone from management was visiting. (We did try to warn our interns and new hires about that, but better to ask and be sure.)

                – ruakh
                53 mins ago











                4














                It's perfectly fine to stay with business casual if that's what you are most comfortable in. If you wish to wear jeans and t-shirt, just ask your manager/team lead at your next one-on-one meeting if it were okay to do so. Most likely this is a non-issue.






                share|improve this answer




























                  4














                  It's perfectly fine to stay with business casual if that's what you are most comfortable in. If you wish to wear jeans and t-shirt, just ask your manager/team lead at your next one-on-one meeting if it were okay to do so. Most likely this is a non-issue.






                  share|improve this answer


























                    4












                    4








                    4







                    It's perfectly fine to stay with business casual if that's what you are most comfortable in. If you wish to wear jeans and t-shirt, just ask your manager/team lead at your next one-on-one meeting if it were okay to do so. Most likely this is a non-issue.






                    share|improve this answer













                    It's perfectly fine to stay with business casual if that's what you are most comfortable in. If you wish to wear jeans and t-shirt, just ask your manager/team lead at your next one-on-one meeting if it were okay to do so. Most likely this is a non-issue.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 7 hours ago









                    Sebastian ProskeSebastian Proske

                    1,0741612




                    1,0741612























                        2














                        Johns-305 had a good answer in "dress to the prevailing norms or better", and that's what I would recommend, regardless of what the on-paper dress code says.



                        However, there's a possible cultural misunderstanding going on. Business casual is an ambiguous term that varies greatly depending on where you live and what industry you work in, and it may mean something different to the company than it does to you. In the western US, and at technology companies in particular (you mention being a software developer), it tends to be much more casual than other places or industries. I work at a software company in Denver, and our "business casual" dress code just means "nice jeans without holes, T-shirts are okay as long as you look clean and not ratty". I don't know the particulars of your office, but it sounds like your coworkers are adhering to the dress code as understood by the company.






                        share|improve this answer








                        New contributor




                        Kerry McKean is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                        Check out our Code of Conduct.

























                          2














                          Johns-305 had a good answer in "dress to the prevailing norms or better", and that's what I would recommend, regardless of what the on-paper dress code says.



                          However, there's a possible cultural misunderstanding going on. Business casual is an ambiguous term that varies greatly depending on where you live and what industry you work in, and it may mean something different to the company than it does to you. In the western US, and at technology companies in particular (you mention being a software developer), it tends to be much more casual than other places or industries. I work at a software company in Denver, and our "business casual" dress code just means "nice jeans without holes, T-shirts are okay as long as you look clean and not ratty". I don't know the particulars of your office, but it sounds like your coworkers are adhering to the dress code as understood by the company.






                          share|improve this answer








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                            2












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                            2







                            Johns-305 had a good answer in "dress to the prevailing norms or better", and that's what I would recommend, regardless of what the on-paper dress code says.



                            However, there's a possible cultural misunderstanding going on. Business casual is an ambiguous term that varies greatly depending on where you live and what industry you work in, and it may mean something different to the company than it does to you. In the western US, and at technology companies in particular (you mention being a software developer), it tends to be much more casual than other places or industries. I work at a software company in Denver, and our "business casual" dress code just means "nice jeans without holes, T-shirts are okay as long as you look clean and not ratty". I don't know the particulars of your office, but it sounds like your coworkers are adhering to the dress code as understood by the company.






                            share|improve this answer








                            New contributor




                            Kerry McKean is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                            Check out our Code of Conduct.










                            Johns-305 had a good answer in "dress to the prevailing norms or better", and that's what I would recommend, regardless of what the on-paper dress code says.



                            However, there's a possible cultural misunderstanding going on. Business casual is an ambiguous term that varies greatly depending on where you live and what industry you work in, and it may mean something different to the company than it does to you. In the western US, and at technology companies in particular (you mention being a software developer), it tends to be much more casual than other places or industries. I work at a software company in Denver, and our "business casual" dress code just means "nice jeans without holes, T-shirts are okay as long as you look clean and not ratty". I don't know the particulars of your office, but it sounds like your coworkers are adhering to the dress code as understood by the company.







                            share|improve this answer








                            New contributor




                            Kerry McKean is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer






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                            answered 3 hours ago









                            Kerry McKeanKerry McKean

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