What to Wear to the Office (When There's NO Dress Code!)
No-dress-code blues? Discover what to wear to the office and boost your confidence: gentl.mn/office-no-dress-code
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0:00 No Office Dress Code: Introduction
As more people head back to the office, the lack of dress codes leaves many wondering what they should actually wear.
1:38 Consider the Work You're Doing
3:04 Aim for Standard Business Casual When No Dress Code
3:54 Observe People in Your Office
4:15 Test the Waters on Your First Day
4:55 Dress One Formality Level Higher
6:18 How to Dress Up in the Office (When Others Don't)
7:52 Confidence is Key
We hope this guide can clear things up and help you stand out in the best way possible while still being true to yourself. What are your opinions on navigating office environments with no written dress code?
9:11 Outfit Rundown
#notsponsored #nodresscode #workwear
I still do not understand why my boss has a problem with me wearing my Henry VIII armor to the office.
It’s the giant codpiece 😂
@@BadMotivator66 OHHHHHHHHHHHHH. OK. 🤣
@@BadMotivator66😂😂😂
🤣
Some periods of armor are just more formal. Maybe just try a bit of mail to start and ease your office into it
It's very easy to stand out in these modern times where everyone dresses very informal .
There's informal & then there is poorly dressed.
@@mcrumphbingo
Welcome David! As a fellow metal head I am unbelievably happy that I am not the only one here! Great job with the presentation! Can’t wait to see more of you! Also thank you for your service!
I tried for years to conform to the ultra casual culture of the tech industry office and eventually I chose to wear classic business wear for my own comfort and enjoyment. It didn’t take very long before people simply accepted it as my personal style. I’ve been happier to be part of the counter culture against the Zuckerberg tech hoody ensemble. People seem to really enjoy the effort I make.
@luke5100 Yep - no sense of personal style, unless that style is "look like all the other teenage boys at the mall".
@luke5100 If you ask me, I think the stealth wealth casual attire is all a costume to provoke a “see, I’m one of you” response when nothing is farther from the truth.
I am the very opposite of you ,I work at a bank (engg department)I hated wearing dress shirts and slacks everyday ,so I just started wearing hoodies and denim ,the management didn't do anything and now we don't have a dress code
@@HiteshJetwaniTechtesh the point here is wear whatever you want, whether it’s dressing up or down :)
Great story, same thoughts!!!!!
Ever since I switched to wearing classic mean's wear, my workplace already labeled me as "mr. mayor" and loves that I come to the office dressed up.
Another metal head here! Good comments. There's no dress code at my office and our CEO often comes to work in athleisure wear. I'm in a C-suite role, and while I can wear whatever I want, I make a point to dress just a step above business casual in hopes of setting a bit of an example for the younger employees on staff (so far it hasn't worked). No suit and tie unless formality is specifically called for, but usually a sport coat or blazer.
You guys are ay fault that i spend a lot of time on ebay looking for deals of vintage cloth.
This guy is me for real. Love classic menswear, came from the emo scene and still love it to this day.
I worked in a startup company, and we had people wearing various clothing. For instance, the older people wore a button-up shirts and trousers and younger people wore polo shirts and chinos. On rare occasions, they would wear blazers or sport coats like when we went out for social events or dinners. At the time, I had two button downs shirt since I had them for prom and homecoming. But I had quite a few RL polo's since that's what my parents got for me. So I would wear mainly polo's but on occasions I would wear the button-down shirts with blazers. Now, after getting new jobs, I have invested in proper clothing after saving money. formal shoes, no more loafers, but upgrade to some derbies and some dress shirts and button ups, a good quality belt and dress slacks and as well as 2 suits. We can't forget about socks switched up those cheap polyester socks to cotton socks. Recently, I made the shift from EDT to EDP as well after seeing GG videos.
That sounds great.. just go easy with the edp, since there are many people in the office settings who cannot tolerate strong scents. ( allergy or sensitivity, which are distinct but cause similar reactions..)😊
Easy rule. Just dress one step better than the rest. In a world of T-Shirts this means poloshirt. In a world of polo shirts this means oxford button down etc ..
Welcome, David. I'm a tradionalist but have worked my whole career in tech-ish businesses. I've always dressed-up, at least compared to others. A minimum formalty level for me in the office would be chinos, dress shirt, sports jacket or blazer and captoe oxfords. I never dressed down for "casual Fridays". I was always the best dressed and had a reputation for it. It served me well and I've always rapidly advanced up the ladder. Of course, as David says, you need to have the more casual attitude and be approachable, which I always was. If done correct, dressing above the formality level can be a career game-changer.
“Dressing half a step better” is exactly the approach I’ve taken for years at my job: a retail warehouse for a fashion company. A daily uniform of polo shirts, cargo pants/shorts, my “lucky” newsboy cap, and work shoes has served me very well, just like the advice here suggests.
Great job man, It's great to have a fellow metalhead here!
Welcome to David! Smashed it! Fellow classic menswear enthusiast + metalhead here! I suppose it makes sense in the current era, with casual dressing at a high. Representing that 'alternative' / 'rebellious' streak in you that's often associated with heavy music could take the form of dressing more formally, or returning to the sartorial norms of the past, rather than you needing to sport some ripped jeans and a leather jacket etc.! This was a great video, with some really useful tips on how to approach this veritable socio-sartorial minefield. I requested this exact topic a little while ago (along with many others, I'm sure) -- 'Dressing For The Modern Office'-type thing -- so I'm thrilled to now see it here on the channel. Bravo, David and GG!
It's funny that I also like metal too and I would be wearing suits or dress shirts and ties to work but would wear my metal shirts to concerts.😂
LOL - I thought he said "mellow music" and was invisioning the Rat Pack.
@@dandiehm8414 I'm just trying to picture Preston throwing up the horns. 🤘😂
Very kind. Thank you 🤘
@@thechairman74 🤣
Great guide! I work a white collar job where I regularly meet with senior management from financial firms & banks. Even amongst C-suite executives wearing a business suit and a tie has become a rare thing. I mostly see senior management in suit trousers, dress shirts and no ties. Personally I think the combination of good quality chinos, a dress shirt with either a sweater or sports coat is perfect for 'business casual'.
David, I am also a fan of classic men'swear, a metal head and in the military. Welcome!
I’ve been waiting to meet another dude who is into metal and classic menswear. 🙏 ❤🙈🤠
What a coincidence! I also like classic menswear and heavy metal but I like a lot of music in general ranging between the 16th and 21st centuries. I don't work in an office but I do love suits.
Another nice one from the gentleman's gazette, superbly done.
I’ve been a PhD student in mechanical engineering for a few years and a teach classes in a piece suite. My work focuses more in biomedical engineering, and the no dress code means I can choose to alter my pants for chinos if I need if I know I’ll be doing more wet chemistry that day. There was no friction because I wore the clothing with such confidence that nobody even asked why I am so dressed up and assumed I ran the lab. It has been INVALUABLE as I now start to do multiple contract biomedical jobs and run my own biomedical firm as I don’t need to barter for credibility on that front. It is assumed. I now have five PhD students, one post doc, and a brilliant undergrad all working for and looking to me on a separate venture, and I believe that my sartorial comportment has some to do this this. Edit: I also love classical music and metal like David here. Both Dvorak and motorhead are my two favorite composers. Then Rachmaninoff and Judas Priest.
My work has a fairly specific dress code, but for men it just consists of, dress shirt and nice non jeans/sweatpants/shorts on the bottom. I tend to exceed the dress code and since all my coworkers are women I really stand out to the customers. They compliment me a lot because they’re not as used to it and it makes me want to continue dressing the way I do. Also I too listen to metal, great to see a fellow enjoyer in the community.
IT worker here at a no dress code company. Lot of people in t shirt or sweats. I wear a shirt with a collar always, sometimes that means polo or untucked button down with jeans or chinos. More an “elevated casual” look. It helps earn trust of the VPs and C suite I think. Can’t ever bring myself to wear a t shirt in the office..
Also, for casual Friday. Remember back in the 90s, one guy dressed in some kind of Rennfest Robin Hood get-up, including a hip knife.
I remember when "casual Friday" meant you could wear a sport coat instead of a suit. Now it's a free for all.
@@mph7282 More is the pity. Call me old fashioned, but I believe that leads to a lack of professionalism in the office.
There is the persistent niggling is/ought gap when it comes to appropriate attire, where what is the case ( freedom of choice for attire) may not entail what ought to be the case (sense of positionally within an in-group marked by that choice).
The video mentions comfortable working clothes but what about classic workwear, dungarees, overalls, shop coats etc. Many of these things were practical and inspired modern fashion trends. Perhaps a topic for another video.
Well, as you said, that's workwear for jobs that do not take place in the office. Not denying the practicability of some of those (I've worn classic Dickies pants and Carharrt flanells for years, they were basically my first steps up the "sartorial ladder" from jeans and hoodies in my late teens/early twenties), but getting older (and working a very white collar job), I found more and more that wearing these clothes is a form of appropriation of "working class" ethos that I just don't feel comfortable with anymore. Not because of "classism" (far from it), but because just like e.g. exuberantly youthful styles of clothing it would be me trying to present myself as something that I am quite obviously not (anymore). Don't want to be the "Hello, fellow blue collar workers" guy.
@@KomradeKrusher thanks for your thoughtful reply, I’m sorry not to have responded sooner. You make a good point about appropriating a style but what are practical classic clothes for active or dirty jobs, things like working deliveries or housework and gardening. I think this could be an interesting topic.
Great job David! What kind of music do you enjoy specifically? I'm a former high school band director and saxophonist. I enjoy a variety of music including jazz, opera, classical, 70's disco, and vintage lounge music of the 50's-70's. I am one of the few women who watches this channel regularly. I adore classic menswear on a man, and I am an Ebay reseller, so I learn a lot about what brands of classic menswear to look for by watching the Gentleman's Gazette. Everyone brings their own distinct personality and style to the table, and I love it! Once again, great work David and, WELCOME! Thank you very much! Lisa
In the days that I tried to work in an office I had one job where I was told that if I didn't wear a tie with my formal dress I'd be sent home to get it. The next job I had I was actually sent home on my first day to take off my shirt a lnd formal trousers to put on jeans and t shirt! These days I either wear gardening clothes to make money or I wear highland dress with kilt or some other bagpipes-appropriate outfit. New guy is great by the way.
Every time a new host showes up at the GG I allways get amazed! Can't wait to see David more! Keep up the good work!
Love the shoes! Fantastic job David on a very informative yet easy to listen to and follow along guide. Congratulations to the GG Team. Obviously, I am absolutely biased to the shoes! Thank you!!!! Beyond honored!!
Good video & food for thought. I teach at a school of music. Students are all ages, grade school to retired. Most of my colleagues are jeans & T shirt wearers, even the Exec. Dir. Not my preference, except maybe on laundry day. In cooler weather, my preference is for tweeds & corduroys, something like the avatar but without the tie, of course. In warmer months, I prefer chinos and a dress shirt, maybe a seersucker jacket. Back in the day when I was actively gigging, I wore suits. I took my cue from performers such as The Carter Family, to the Beatles. After seeing the video, I think this works as a one level up approach. Thanks, the program has been much help.
You had me at metal 🤘
The juxtaposition of styles like wearing a suit and listening to metal is something I've always found entertaining cuz of people's reactions. Way back in the day I used to wear a black leather jacket jeans and sun glasses and after Uni I'd got for icream, the look on people's faces when I ordered a strawberry one with M&M's was just priceless.
I work for an NGO, and just entered a new office where everyone is dressed casually because they think they're NGO workers, humanitarians, field workers, so there's no need to dress well, and in fact dressing well makes them feel above the beneficiaries we serve. I, on the other hand, dress "better" than anyone in the office and try to set an example for others and for self-respect. One day my colleague began dressing more formally and over lunch I heard "Oh Alex, look at you wearing a dress shirt. Is it because you're trying to copy Jonathan?" to which I interjected "I'm sure he's just taking pride in his appearance, and bringing much needed formality to our organization". Afterwards, I noticed more people began dressing formally, and enjoying nicer clothing options as compared to jeans and t-shirts. Now, people wearing less formal clothing feel more awkward and even donors and visitors comment on how well we are dressed as an office.
I quite like this new host of yours. Also a helpful video!
"Dress for the job you want - not the one you have'.
Great video…tons of useful info, thank you
Glad to hear you found it enjoyable! What was the most interesting tip for you?
Wear clothes that are appropriate to what you are doing!
Welcome to the team my Metal Brother 🤘😎
My workplaces have differing demands on clothing, depending on where I am. When I’m in my office, I can wear jeans and a nice shirt (or an occasional kilt), but when I go to our headquarters, I’m expected to wear slacks or even a suit (the latter is especially the norm if I’m speaking or delivering a presentation). However, approximately 10 weeks out of the year I will be at our field locations and we have PPE requirements that I must abide. That doesn’t mean I have to dress poorly but it does mean my options are much more limited.
I work as a lawyer in a bank, so I wear business or business casual attire mostly... But like David, I am also into heavy metal, so I totally get the dualistic lifestyle! Good to have David on the team :-)
I'm and engineer, and for the past couple years I've veen dressing like one. Shirt, tie, sometimes even cufflinks, and proper oxfords. If I'm presenting, a sport coat comes out. I certainly haven't had any headwind. My manager, second level, and so on said they appreciate it.
I was once interviewed for a pharmaceutical company. I arrived in a suit and tie, then after the interview, I was taken for a tour of the 'factory. For this, I had to change into protective clothing. I was struck by something the man who was taking the tour said at the stepover area: "you can leave your interview gear here".
Did you get the job?
@@the_9ent No
This new guy is great! Very contrasting man 😅
Hi there, I know it has nothing to do with the topic of this video but is there a way to get wrinkles out of my gloves from fort Belvedere? Thanks for your help!
The problem isn't the lack of dress code, it's the different interpretations of what each dress code is. There is a whole generation out there who think "formal" means tucking your golf shirt into your jeans. We have a dress code of the dreaded "business casual", and I dress in what I think is true business casual style...trousers, button up shirt, typically a sport coat, and leather shoes. Others think "business casual" is jeans and a tshirt. I have a reputation of being well dressed, but typically more formal than most. But it's my style, and I get a lot of compliments on it. On an anecdotal note...I've noticed a trend of the younger guys dressing more formal, especially since the return to work from the pandemic. More jackets and trousers, the occasional tie, even. It's really the older guys who insist on the super casual stuff, which is ironic, or not, as they, like me, started out their careers where formal business attire was required, and you were expected to wear a suit and tie every day. I guess they figure dressing sloppy is their reward for all the years they spent dressing up.
Dressing sloppy is never a "reward".
Excellent …… great to have you onboard David .
My first job was with a team of engineers exclusively in an office environment. Standard dress was khakis and a polo, but jeans and a t-shirt were acceptable. They still complained about the required formality. I decided to show up in a blazer and tie one day, and the two reactions were, “You’re not interviewing for somewhere else, are you?” and extreme insecurity. It’s funny how violating the norms shakes things up so much.
Welcome to the new host! Pretty common sense advice, actually. Well done.
Awesome to find a metalhead here. 🤘Hail Gentleman's Gazette
🤘
Welcome David. Great job.
If there's no dress code, wear what you will. I personally wear a suit to the office because of how it makes me feel.
Thankfully IT guys are normally exempt from any codes. I wear what I call “business sport”, CK pants and ralph lauren polo shirts with sneaker shoes (rockport). Comfort and flexibility is key.
All I have in my closet 5 jeans and most ocbd and dress shirts and blazer and suits and sport coat
no dress code = Adidas tracksuit + cheap flip-flops + white ankle socks + peaky blinders cap + thick gold chain around the neck with a dangling cross + pack of Marlboro cigarettes in the pocket
I like this guy
It would be interesting to hear advice on what to wear if you work remotely but have online meetings often. Sitting at home in a suit feels strange, although appearing in pajama during a call is also not good.
A good point - what would you choose that's somewhere between a suit and pajamas?
I mostly wear a clean shirt (no tie) and have a knit vest and/or a navy blazer ready to put on. No one cares what's below the belt, but if you want to be sure, there's something like "travellers' suit pants" which are cut like modern "formal" slacks but are often a bit stretchy and have an elastic waistband, so they will look the part enough to fool the casual glance if you should happen to stand up during the call but feel relaxed enough to sit around in them all day. I have a pair in charcoal and slate. You obviously should not wear them outside if your path leads you further away from home than a couple of hundred feet, though.
New host did very well. Good job GG!
I like to wear a Bat Man outfit when I'm going to work. However, I'm getting warnings all the time, even tough the code is quite casual and relaxed---and I wear an overcoat instead of a cape
It was "no dogs allowed" where I worked, so I used to bring a wolf.
I have said this before in this channel, but every time I watch one of these "what to wear to the office" videos I get entertained but I can't help laughing a bit. I work in a telecommunications company, in the software area, people 2 levels under the CEO would come to visit the site in suit trousers, dress shirt, and dress shoes. No tie, no jacket, nothing like that. I haven't seen anybody wear a tie in the three years I've been working there. I have gotten compliments on my outfit for wearing slacks/corduroys and a dress shirt with oxford shoes. Last week a coworker came with a light-navy jacket, slacks and dressy sneakers and he got 3 comments in 30 seconds when he arrived to the office about how "elegant" he was dressing that day (he had a social event later after work, hence the unusual outfit for him). Any traditional businessman would have a heart attack in my office, many coworkers of mine wear just sneakers, jeans and a t-shirt. I'd say that everyday I've been to the office I've been dressed more formally than my direct superior, since I wear dress shoes and shirts and he wears sneakers and polos. A coworker that's been working there for just some months even said to me: "I am curious about why do you dress so nice for the office, are you used to work in other places or...?" I had to confess I just like nice clothes.
David, you're doing a great job! Hard to argue with a sharply-dressed metalhead Guardsman who likes stylish men as much as I do! I really look forward to seeing you become more comfortable on camera as time goes on; that kind of thing takes practice and you've already got a good start!
I know one guy who from time to time has to leave the office to climb a short radio tower. His pants legs are usually too restrictive so he strips to his underwear to climb the tower.
Yes, David! Let’s talk cravats and PanterA 👌🎸
I am confused. I like goats.
I never dress down
I like the new host! Great video as always.
An LGBT metalhead classic menswear enthusiast? And here I was thinking I was the only one
There are more than you think 🤘
Welcome, David!
When in Rome, dress like the Romans do. Maybe this is also where the concept of silent luxury works best.
Shirt with a blazer and jeans are nice to wear. Not to much yet classy. Or a shirt with jeans.
welcome David
Poll: Is wearing a waistcoat with a polo a sin?
Welcome Davis
I work at a accounting office. Their office is hot af they're not a fan of AC is a constant 75 degree. So i wear all linen and short slaves
That's quite an intro
Cool story bro 😅
Yeah, I agree. 😂😂 Fruit much? 😂
These issues all stem from the US. The casual wear of jeans and T shirt as promoted by some companies would never be tolerated in Europe. Smart casual is the default position unless formal is stated. The American idea of fashion or appropriate clothing is largely looked upon with disdain in Britain and the Continent. The USA needs to smarten up.
Jack here (UK-based) - I've seen many office workers across the country in sneakers, jeans, tracksuits, etc. and have had many conversations with people from countries in Europe who all agree that the majority of office attire defaults to very casual clothing. There are certain areas of big cities and the odd white-collar firm where you'll see a higher level of formality, but these examples are certainly the minority. While it's not just the USA that goes for casual offices as default, I like to think of it as an opportunity to flex your sartorial muscles a little 😉
No dress code = nudity. 😏
All jokes aside, if you work in IT and are blowing dust off your workstation, maybe consider another career lol
Hmm.
Today dress codes can become very aggressive and bring lots of pressure especially when the dress code is No dress code. Crying shame
2:48
Welcome david!
Hi
HE reads the script too robotically!
I am retired for quite a few years now. Our dress code was suits, ties dress shoes. No exceptions. It's sad to see the "casual culture". People like Zuckerberg destroyed our business culture.
Like I always say, if we have to think about dressing up and be scared, that it could offend somebody, then our planet is in a really bad state. In old days, you could dress up in most situations and nobody gave a bad look and from 70´s there were already many people dressed down and dressing up worked despite this fact. There is a big problem nowadays with people psychology, which is damaged. It is not normal, that most people don´t mind looking bad and attack dressed up people. It is quite sick. Is it better to drive Rolls Royce or Toyota? Of course Rolls, so why should we be forced into slopy dressing, when there are people, who have class, money so they want to look good? No logic here and really ruined culture. Slopy dressers don´t want to improve themselves, so why should dressed up people degrade themselves to please lazy people without class? Is it normal for people, that low quality culture rules the world and high quality cultury is put aside? It is not normal to me. Good day to everyone!
Thank you for the very valid points!
"Why would those lazy commoners look upon me funnily when I dress to the tees to flaunt my 'class' and 'high quality culture' while demeaning them for possessing neither?" I think you just gave yourself your answer. You also very aptly demonstrated that neither "money" or "dress" equal "class".
@@KomradeKrusher Like you say, money and dressing doesn´t have to equal class, but what I am saying is, that common slopy dressers give hard time to those, who dresses up, which is nonsense. Casual clothing itselves would not be a problem, if people wearing it, would have better behaviour and not act like dumb envious morrons without dignity. And sice just too many people are like that, reputation of common people is ruined, which creates hostile enviroment and degraded culture. You don´t have to be Enstein to see this. It´s just the way it is. Real experiences don´t lie and the biggest tragic reality is, that people in general mostly do nice things only, when they are forced to or they want to take advantage of someone, not because they want to voluntarily. That is what this casual modern life shows every day. That is really saying something about human race.
Unsubbed 😂
Why?
@@chilldoc9638 Perhaps he's not fond of David, but it also could be because of the opinion displayed in the video.
You guys need to start working out, most of your team members look out of shape. Besides clothes, Men should also take care of their physical health and musculature
Why they get so many of these comments, I have no idea. Being healthy is good, but I'd rather enjoy my life than waste time in a sweaty gym lifting heavy things for an hour every day.
@@themoderndandy713a large swatch of the modern breed of "menswear influencers" orignally stems from a "bro culture" background. According to those, being "cut" is mandatory for "getting b*tches" which is the only goal worth achieving (even being successful and making money are just means to that end). While some of those more toxic ideas dissappear over time and with onsets of maturity, the deeper lying ideas still often stick with the audience.
@@KomradeKrusherOr…maybe cultivating physical strength and health are signs of character, while being a well dressed slob is not.
@@benjaminberneche9753 ascertaining (and denying) "character" based on a person's physical fitness and appearance just serves one purpose: casting serious doubt on the quality of your own character. I hope you will learn to be a better man.
Love the new guy! I’m also a metalhead sartorial chap P.s. you also look like my American brother! 🇬🇧🫱🏻🫲🏼🇺🇸
welcome david - please make him do a regular classic metal albums review segment!!!!!!!!!!!!
@luke5100 imagine it. a dude dressed dapper with an old timey gramophone playing metal vinyls, reviewing them.