When was the last time you wore a tie?

HFCS

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I wear one every time I go to the office. It's not required at my employer. We have a "dress for your day" policy. Most people wear variations on jeans and a polo, but I feel most comfortable in a dress shirt and tie, with either slacks or jeans. Sometimes I'll throw on a blazer. It's kind of a frame of mind thing. On my WFH days, I do jeans and a T-shirt, tho.

One of my first jobs out of college I wore a polo shirt. They told me I couldn’t wear a polo shirt so second day I wore a shirt and tie. Then somebody in charge told my boss “tell that surfer dude (I had kind of long hair at 23) he can’t wear a tie or we’ll all have to”. Seems like a contradiction to ban ties and polo shirts, need to allow one or the other but not tshirts.
 
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Mr Janny

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One of my first jobs out of college I wore a polo shirt. They told me I couldn’t wear a polo shirt so second day I wore a shirt and tie. Then somebody in charge told my boss “tell that surfer dude (I had kind of long hair at 23) he can’t wear a tie or we’ll all have to”. Seems like a contradiction to ban ties and polo shirts, need to allow one or the other but not tshirts.
Early in my career, I took a job as a help desk technician. I wore a shirt and tie on my first day and my boss was super concerned that I'd "get it caught in a printer" and considered it a safety hazard. I always laughed at that. I assumed there was a story behind her concern, but never asked.
 
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Clonehomer

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Not that ties need to be worn, but professional dress has really crashed. I was at a business last week where the manager was going over the corporate crack down on dress code. They wanted it stepped up, they had mentioned that the one male there that was wearing casual dress slacks and shoes was the only one that met what should be worn.

My wife is a teacher and she said that leggings and long sweatshirts had been normal wear for a few younger women teachers. She Said it looked sloppy. The principal just cracked down on it there also. When the aids dress better than the instructors, it doesn’t look good she mentioned.

I guess it depends on your job. If you’re not hosting clients in the office, what’s it matter? For a teacher, I get leggings are probably a step too far, but is wearing jeans really that big of a deal?

I like the dress for your day mentality. If you’re meeting clients, dress up a bit or throw on a company polo if that’s appropriate. But if you’re going to be at your computer interacting only with coworkers, does wearing a hoodie really hurt anyone’s feelings? Much more comfortable than a blazer.
 
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BCClone

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Not exactly sure.
I guess it depends on your job. If you’re not hosting clients in the office, what’s it matter? For a teacher, I get leggings are probably a step too far, but is wearing jeans really that big of a deal?

I like the dress for your day mentality. If you’re meeting clients, dress up a bit or throw on a company polo if that’s appropriate. But if you’re going to be at your computer interacting only with coworkers, does wearing a hoodie really hurt anyone’s feelings? Much more comfortable than a blazer.
Many places have casual Friday. If jeans are your everyday, what is casual?

The mental part is a big one for me. If you put on decent pants (non jeans) like khakis or so and a collared shirt, I feel that puts you in a professional state of mind. Plus you should dress a notch above your clients. The kids are clients and they will wear jeans so go one step up.

If it’s just co-workers then you can wear what you want. I always go collared on them with corresponding pants as I feel it sets the tone and shows that I put effort into it and didn’t just roll out of bed, throw a sweatshirt and hat on and jump on the meeting.
 

BCClone

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Not exactly sure.
Early in my career, I took a job as a help desk technician. I wore a shirt and tie on my first day and my boss was super concerned that I'd "get it caught in a printer" and considered it a safety hazard. I always laughed at that. I assumed there was a story behind her concern, but never asked.
My first job I wore a suit to my last interview with the president and owner of the bank. Last thing said to me as I left with the job was if I ever wore a tie to work again he would fire me. (He was laughing a bit). He said we give loans to farmers, they will come in in everyday clothes, a tie will make them feel uncomfortable as we are going to be across a desk from them. We wear dress pants and polos.
 

Mr Janny

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Many places have casual Friday. If jeans are your everyday, what is casual?

The mental part is a big one for me. If you put on decent pants (non jeans) like khakis or so and a collared shirt, I feel that puts you in a professional state of mind. Plus you should dress a notch above your clients. The kids are clients and they will wear jeans so go one step up.

If it’s just co-workers then you can wear what you want. I always go collared on them with corresponding pants as I feel it sets the tone and shows that I put effort into it and didn’t just roll out of bed, throw a sweatshirt and hat on and jump on the meeting.
It's a simple progression: Slacks>Jeans>Shorts>Boxers>"Ow, I got my mouse cord wrapped around my balls, again"
 

KennyPratt42

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Levels of business attire (from my observation):

1: Jeans & polo/sweatshirt/quarter-zip
2: Khakis/Chinos & polo/button-up/quarter-zip
3: Slacks & button-up (possible sweater/quarter-zip/vest over shirt)
4: Sport coat/blazer/suit with no tie with button up (also where tie with no jacket lands)
5: Suit/sport coat/blazer & tie

Wearing jeans at any level usually makes it one level more casual (ex. sport coat, jeans, & button-up is level 3).

Generally speaking most offices/places of work will fit in a range of two to three of the levels. Most of the time its best/easiest to fit in the range with the option to go one level up from the range if you want (but not more than that).
 
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TitanClone

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Probably the last wedding I went to and was in the wedding party. Think it was 2018 and it was a clip on boe tie so barely counts. Have a dozen or so in my closet that go back to high school dances, should probably give most of them to Goodwill or something.
 

aeroclone

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Last time was a daddy daughter dance this weekend. Before that, weddings and funerals.

My office dress code is basically sneakers, jeans, and a t-shirt with the company logo. Super casual.
 
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Gonzo

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This past fall for BiL funeral.

For about four years when we lived in Chicago, late 90s/early 00s, I worked downtown and wore a suit and tie Monday - Friday. One of my life goals after that was to never, ever work a job with that requirement.
 
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BryceC

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Honestly I can’t remember.

If you invite me to your wedding I’m not wearing a tie.
 

KnappShack

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Were they dunks? It seems people now consider them dress shoes.

No. More running shoes or very obviously casual shoes.

I asked a person and they said my black and white running shoes would be fine on stage. Don't think I can pull that off.

If I have to wear the goddam tie I'll take the foot pain for a few.
 
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BCClone

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Not exactly sure.
No. More running shoes or very obviously casual shoes.

I asked a person and they said my black and white running shoes would be fine on stage. Don't think I can pull that off.

If I have to wear the goddam tie I'll take the foot pain for a few.
I would guess that dress shoes would be bigger than ties now. Seems like no one under 45 will look me in the eyes now while talking and are looking down all the time. So they would see my shoes but have no idea if I had a tie on.
 
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ScottyP

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Levels of business attire (from my observation):

1: Jeans & polo/sweatshirt/quarter-zip
2: Khakis/Chinos & polo/button-up/quarter-zip
3: Slacks & button-up (possible sweater/quarter-zip/vest over shirt)
4: Sport coat/blazer/suit with no tie with button up (also where tie with no jacket lands)
5: Suit/sport coat/blazer & tie

Wearing jeans at any level usually makes it one level more casual (ex. sport coat, jeans, & button-up is level 3).

Generally speaking most offices/places of work will fit in a range of two to three of the levels. Most of the time its best/easiest to fit in the range with the option to go one level up from the range if you want (but not more than that).
Maybe it is just me, but I look the look of a blazer/sport coat with jeans.
 
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