As a Brit living and working in California for the past 15 years, I was encouraged early on to adopt a more informal approach to my work dress. However, every so often I dig out some of my beautifully tailored english pieces and it is always met with positive remarks without fail. Don’t completely compromise on what is important to you. Adapt so you don’t stick out like a sore thumb but retain your sartorial differences. After all, it is part of the man that got the promotion!
Good advice Ash. I have to say, if a new manager started a conversation with 'If you want to annoy me...' alarm bells would ring. That sounds like a bit of a toxic workplace. Good luck to this chap.
For the last 18 years I have worked for the same professional company. When I first started, all men wore suit and tie....if someone came in without a tie, you would be spoken to. These days, out of 60 men, I would say there are only 3 of us that dress that way...the remainder just wear smart casual....but recently, new younger members of staff are coming to work wearing trainers (white in some instances)...I'm happy enough to go against what is now the norm... I think the difference between this gent and myself, is that I have worked in the same office for 18 years, and as such, no one can complain about what I've being doing for 18 years consistently.
I work in a casually dressed office and go for a business casual/smart casual look and wear a lot of the great things mentioned by Ash in this video. Some additional things you can wear in this scenario are merino wool sweaters (crew or v neck), knitted bomber jackets, denim jackets, chukka boots, Chelsea boots and minimal white leather sneakers. Also learn styling options such as different sleeve rolls and shirt tucking.
I think there’s a way to remain elevated but still fit into the relaxed setting. Blazer with no tie, a nice pocket square, loafers and chinos. Just put together subtly cohesive outfits without going too far. That’s been my approach on a typical day when a suit is overkill.
One thing I hate about lax office culture is that managers will ALWAYS come after you if you are better dressed than them, more courteous and/or more punctual. Nothing new under the sun. It's always been like this. Managers only like "anything goes" dress code if no one looks better than them.
Hello Ash. When I was working at the store everybody had to wear the same shirt and either Chino's or jeans of course everyone wore jeans except for me I wore chinos pressed and my shirt pressed. I also wore Brody dress shoes as opposed to trainers like everyone else. I was standing with the manager one day and a customer started talking to me thinking I was the manager because I was better dressed than he was 😂😂. The little things matter. Thanks for your advice. cheers Ron
This is truly excellent advice, Ash, carefully considered and clearly explained. In the Catholic school system in which I taught for thirty years, there was a strict dress code for students, and an unwritten dress code for staff. Over the course of my career, I watched that dress code erode, both for students and for staff. -The school uniform was simplified with jackets and ties no longer required for the boys, and kilts and white blouses no longer required for the girls. Men who wouldn't think of showing up at their classroom to teach without a jacket and tie thirty years ago now frequently wear neither. -The women on staff have managed to maintain a higher standard re: their own dress, and this seems to be typical of women in society in general, who frequently put more time and effort into their clothing and appearance than most men. I cannot prove that there's any connection between declining educational and behavioral standards in Ontario's public schools and the deterioration of the dress code, but I would not be surprised if there were some relationship between the two.
If I were this guy, I'd file a complaint about his boss with the company's human resources department. To say that somebody is going to annoy you by the way they dress is not just creating a hostile, toxic workplace, it's literally a declaration of war.
Here's an idea: adapt yourself to the more casual dress code but pick one day a week (maybe Monday) and wear a suit. That way, you're accommodating the lower standards prevailing in the office, but you're also asserting your autonomy and letting everybody, including your boss know that you're not completely giving up.
I wear a tie for work and am the only one doing so in the building usually, including this week in my Client's office in Mayfair.. I don't feel like I'm dressed for work without one. However, it's been that hot this week working in London, I dropped the tie and a jacket for a few days. I take a jacket and tie a way with me also in case I get invited anywhere for an impromptu drink after work, such as my friend who's a member of a gentlemen's' club with a strict dress code in Pall Mall. I do wear an automatic analogue watch but have a synthetic strap as stainless straps clang away on my MacBook. It's a real dilemma for me tie wearing as I'm starting to stand out. I'm a Chartered Surveyor and can be in a nice office environment right to a plant room or bin store! Another brilliant video Ash and much needed for millions of working chaps.
Please be bold. A tie is an opportunity, not an obligation. Also, a tie can make a statement, but doesn't have to represent an opinion. Wearing a tie to a meeting with a client is a sign of respect, even if you know they will not be wearing ties themselves (I experienced this myself recently). Be true to yourself. Good luck!
I have been in a similar position with management, I told them to stuff it unless they are going to buy me work clothing and continue a clothing allowance. I also asked if they'd like to talk outside to adjust each other's attitude LoL. I like and support dealing with things "the old way". I don't like bullying!! It didn't go over well but they gave in eventually 🤷 It wasn't fun in the process. The only thing I'd add to your suggestions would be boots. Along the lines of Thursdays, you can go a little fancier or not and then just polish them up. They are definitely nicer than any runners 😉. Myself id go with a nice pair of lace up ropers or even a pair of Jim Green AR8's. My comment is more to help the algorithm, as well to let you know I enjoy and get a lot out of your videos!! God bless
Im fortunate that I worked in a private bank and we only just dropped ties 5 days a week about a year ago. I can wear a 3 piece suit, or a DB suit and nobody even bats an eyelid. But most men dress horribly in synthetic trousers and bad shoes..
I hate this new office casual dress code. It is far too permissive. Many of my coworkers wear jeans, running shoes and hoodies at the office. We're conducting business here
Great advice, Ash. Glad i watched the whole video. You tackled each facet wisely. Very nice! Many thanks from near Chicago, where some of us still dress with care and sartorial style.
Great advice and very astute analysis Ash! Navigating todays dress codes in the modern office is a minefield! When I first worked in the (London) City it was a full suit and tie office, however over the period it was downgraded to ‘smart casual’. I tended for Chinos, Oxford shirt and blazer. Current role I am back in uniform (which makes life much easier to choose an outfit in the morning!). As a senior Officer / department head I spend 80% of my working time in uniform with the other time in either smart casual office dress (chino/blazer combo) or dark pin stripe suit. I keep a set of both with selection of suitable ties and shoes in my office.
Can't go wrong with chinos and a button down oxford shirt with shoes/boots across any office situation. I do not miss wearing ties or suits for the days in the office as mentioned.
All great advice, Ash. When I am out shopping I now look at men's apparel and think, "Quality not quantity." Or "There is a better presentation with a button down or a polo shirt😢" I feel better about myself when I am clean shaven and dressed nicely. You have had a positive influence with my life this past year as I am sure you have with other subscribers. Keep it up! 🙂👍
I don’t know what it is about the Brits. I live in the USA. When I started golfing 5 years ago I gravitated towards a golfer from Britain. Same when I was looking for a nice over and under shotgun (for me) I began watching videos by a guy from London. Still watch videos from the above. As I have taken an interest in upgrading my sartorial journey the Chaps Guide is my go to channel.
The number one, knock it out of the park accessory I've discovered this year, the hat. Obviously not a baseball hat but a Panama hat in the summer, perhaps a baker boy in the winter.
Thanks for the comment! I wear orthotics, so Slip On shoes are a no go for me, including loafers, I usually wear oxfords for formal occasions, Leather Chukka Boots as a Middle Ground, and Sneakers only for the most informal occasions.
Hi Ash. Many thanks for spending what must have been a considerable amount of time preparing and delivering that well thought through and very helpful response. All very good advice which I’m sure will be appreciated. All the very best. Phil.
Hi Ash, Agree on blazer and tweed but for some reason you rarely mention corduroy, a simple cord sports coat looks great with jeans or chinos and is casually structured.
Amazed someone would make a comment like that in Europe! Even in the UK which is slightly behind many of the other European countries, it would be very much frowned upon these days.... par for the course if you work in some shabby small businesses I suppose, but a pan-European firm!!?
New dress code this year at my workplace. Basically, it says dress as you were at home, what is more comfortable for you.. also it says dress as whatever you identify yourself. ( if you are a guy who identify as a woman dress as a woman and vice-versa no problem at all. Unbelievable!!!! The previous dress code was business casual. By the way, I live in the USA.
Sounds great, a nice suit can be very comfortable.. and nothing better that a broken in pair of leather properly made shoes. ..and if your pal prefers to wear a dress, good for him.
Although the advice you've given Ash here is totally relevant, I've had to deal with a somewhat similar case (the general manager who was always making remarks about the way I dressed "too much") and I've now made the choice to ‘impose’ my style, whether it bothers anyone or not. And what I noticed afterwards was that once the period of not very original remarks was over, my way of dressing like a gentleman was what set me apart, and some people came to see me in private to ask me for advice, which was an opportunity to break the ice and finally to make my presence within the company more firmly rooted (when they understood that my way of dressing didn't imply any judgement on my part about their way of dressing, which is often the crux of the problem, let's be honest). So much so that when I came to the office on a more casual basis people were almost offended, how ironic !
Waist coat for non work related dress....relic of the past, or acceptable modern attire....what circumstances could it be worn..and I dare say with a pocket watch?....would be interested to see your thoughts on this at a future date should you have time
I feel like it's always us well-dressed chaps who are urged to compromise. Isn't this exactly why we ended up in this situation? Some slouches started to wear jeans and t-shirts to the office and everybody followed? So of course your advice is not wrong, but I personally decided to take the risk and be the eccentric one. The more people join me, the more eccentric will the slouches feel. I think it's a battle between two philosophies and I think ours is superior.
Hello mr. Ash, sir. I am much enjoying your channel, especially your videos on how to dress well. I may have a challenge for you! I wonder if you ever thought of making an episode about how one can dress like a chap with style in the tropics (think India), in different circumstances and levels of formality. I live in Brazil (the hot part!). Here, professionals who work in offices with AC get there in cars with AC (e.g. lawyers, etc) and thus dress in normal European formal style (suite or blazer etc.). But for us mere mortals who don’t have a workplace with AC, and who need to appear our best in our particular professional environments @ 30° or 35° (or more…), when profuse sweating is the consequence of most fabrics and certainly of any long sleeved garment, and most trousers too - what to do? It would be very interesting hearing your thoughts on this. 😊
If I were in his position, I would not give af if the boss stopping me to dress well. I'll let him get annoyed and that day will come he will submit and move on. If not, I'll go to HR, to the higher management and cc'd government agency that handles workers and tell them what happened. That will look him ridiculous that he's annoyed because the man is professionally dressed.
I wish they'd been a bit more specific about the country. I'm very interested in those cultural differences. Very much agree about hygiene/grooming, watch, and buying higher quality pieces that fit your shape properly. With those, even before you've really 'elevated' your look, you'll be coming across as a class act.
The problem is, at least here in America: a lot of people work from home! I remember starting an IT job in mid 1990s, we were required to wear suit and tie. Nowadays, not only most everyone comes to work casual, but we only meet once a week at our office for meetings. As a result commercial real estate is is deep trouble, I suspect everything started after WW2 when men stopped wearing Fedora Hats 🎩 (My last one is a joke of course) 😂
Great subject I always struggle with smart casual especially with hot temperatures. Everytime I come in wearing a suit its an automatic response that I am interviewing. I just want to put them to use and not be a relic in my wardrobe. Remember working for an Italian firm and it was loafers, chinos and nice shirts whereas the investment banks you looked out of place without a suit. Agree a navy blazer autumn to spring and lighter blue or biege great for summer months. Good shoes will complement a nice suit however if you buy cheap ill fitting shoes this ruins the look. Of course the fashionable red cords make an appearance at Xmas 😂 😂😂
Hi Ash, what would you advise for someone (like me) for whom shaving daily is an excruciating task due to sensitive skin? I personally need my stubble to be about 2mm thick so I can safely shave without ending with serious irritation. So I shave maybe twice a week, tops.
That is an issue that affects many and I also found shaving a challenging task due to sensitivity. The goal for me, was to gradually introduce a DE shave routine, as the skin does adapt and become more tolerant of the shaving process over time. A DE razor is much, much better for sensitive skin opposed to a multi-bladed cartridge razor, which frankly cuts far too close to the skin. I would recommend that you start with a nice mild DE razor (the standard Gillette DE razor is cheap and perfect for this task) coupled with a fairly mild razor blade brand (Astra, etc. are good). Shave twice a week using sensitive skin products (shave cream, witch hazel and balm afterwards) and take it from there. It can take months to build up the tolerance needed to shave every day and you will learn a lot about your skin in the process, but once achieved, you will never look back. Good luck sir.
I’ve never had a job where I had to dress properly, and I started working in the ‘80s. So I can hardly understand what you’re talking about, this is so way over my head!…. 😮
Over many years of daily shaving, my skin has become highly resilient to shaving, so I shave every day. But taking a rest day occasionally is a sound idea for skin health.
It's crazy that good-paying jobs are looking more like working-class jobs. What a sad world. :( Personally, I don't want to look like a working-class person. I want to look like a middle or high-class person.
@@herbtube7824 100% truth, but I meant during the working hours. A working-class person can look rich but after the working hours because of the job's dress codes.
It's unfortunate that your reader was disrespected in that manner because IMHO he will probably have more important challenges than a poor dressing environment to deal with! It's one of the great problems of being a salaried employee which I am not because I would not let that behavior pass and certainly show him what's what a la Margaret Thatcher !
Hi Ash interesting perspective of capitals abroad, based in Londinium there is only one way to dress professionall; let the others catch up, God bless.
Professionally promoted sartorially demoted….. Weird situation all around. In the words of the American country singer Johnny Paycheck….Take this job and shove it.
Never compromise with your personal integrity. Sue the employer for discrimination! You could claim that you need to wear a suit and tie for religious reasons. In. Sweden, that is a very common strategy for crafty immigrants. They get a job, wear a burka, well aware that it will provoke a reaction, and when the employer kindly asks them to remove the burka when dealing with customers at work , they immediately sue for large sums of money. And it works!
That was definitely bit harsh and jeans/tshirt in an office setting? I always feel like some kind of dress shirt and slacks/dress pants is the bare minimum in ANY office setting - I don't care if its a bank that's been around since forever or a startup that started yesterday.
Nah, I'd say screw them all. Keep wearing the suit. Walk tall. Set a new standard. The manager is weak and op will take his job as well as his wife, probably.
Difference of opinion. This guy works for a company. His manager tells him to dress a certain way, and not be all suited and booted. Assuming he likes to get paid, he should ask,"Sure, what are the parameters?" I was in the military so were you. They told us what to wear, we wore it. You were a cop. They told you what to wear, you wore it. I was a lawyer in the US, courts had certain dress parameters, I followed them. You want to play the game you wear the team uniform. So, the manager was a tad undiplomatic in addressing the issue. Big effing deal, what is this guy, a Molly? If he really had a pair, he wouldn't be working for a paycheck, he'd be doing his own thing...I always did, but when you stepped into another lion's den, you followed their dress code. Roll with the punches, take the paycheck, and in your off hours be as much of a Laurence Fellows illo as you like. Love your channel and your personal choice in wardrobe by the way.🤗
I got ratted out by a liberal democrat for wearing a patriotic cap to work. The red cap matched my red Ben Sherman. The General manager wrote me a long text and said I can only wear a company logo cap. Now I can't even wear a flat hat or any other hat to work thanks to the intolerant lady who took my picture and told on me.
