I'm moving from a shirt and tie environment to a khakis and polo environment. What kind of polo shirts do you people wear to work? I may also be in the market for some dress shoes that are nice, but also comfortable for standing for long periods.

10/15/2012 2:21:14 PM

I've gone almost completely over to the most professional looking golf clothes I can find...all that moisture wicking, tek, dri fit shit

SO much more comfortable

For pants, I have 3 pairs of these: http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-1/pid-427856/pgid-562589

They're extremely light and the nike logo is very small, on the back, and the same color as the pants, so not very clear

For shirts I have a whole bunch of different kinds, but I've found that Greg Norman shirts are pretty normal and professional looking for the most part and don't have glaring logos.

Conflicting disclaimers:
1) I work in a business casual office where everyone else chooses to wear ties for some reason, and I don't feel I'm too out of place
2) I feel very strongly about being comfortable, and might have just gotten used to being out of place in justification for wearing what I want

10/15/2012 2:47:46 PM

agreed on the nicer golf polos, that is my go-to business very-casual. in addition to being more comfortable they also tend to stay nicer-looking for longer...sit flatter and sleeker, don't wrinkle, etc

[Edited on October 15, 2012 at 3:24 PM. Reason : fasdf]

10/15/2012 3:22:24 PM

I guess I'm weird. We have "business casual" where I work and we have a wide range of what people wear: the majority of people wear khakis and polos (~60%); maybe 30% wear nice dress pants and dress shirts; and maybe the last 10% wear slacks, shirt, and sport coat. I just feel too casual in khakis and a polo though so I'm in that 30% group.

I'm guessing a lot of it has to do with the fact that I wore khakis and a polo every day to school from 6th - 12th grade That probably altered my perception with the different level of dress clothes because I just feel juvenile with khakis and a polo... The only polos I own anymore are 3 different NC State polos that I wear for gamedays/Fridays before football saturdays.

10/15/2012 3:36:14 PM

I've been spoiled by working for a silicon valley company for 14 years and just wearing whatever I want to.

It would be a tough adjustment for me to adhere to a dress code if I went to work for an 'old-world' company.

10/15/2012 3:44:56 PM

I won't get into suggesting what type/brand polo is worn... But, I have an appreciation for those who take the time to press the collar, so it doesn't have the out-of-the-dryer rolled up look...

10/15/2012 3:53:06 PM

Aspire to be one of the better dressed people in your office, as long as your means allow it. Avoid being the best dressed, however, as folks will come to expect a certain standard, and you’ll have less margin for error. Historically, the goal has been to look like you’re going to work and not playing golf, but this line is becoming increasingly blurred as the typical golf attire has fallen more in line with what we generally associate as casual work clothes. No one really looks good in a polo shirt, but it’s a necessary evil at some offices. The main issue is that it’s easy to be lazy. With a shirt and tie, even the most disheveled of folks will still appear somewhat presentable; see Schrute, Dwight. With a beat up Aeropostale polo, you’re beyond reproach. The best thing you can do is segregate your wardrobe based on function. Don’t wear your club shirt to the office, don’t wear your office shirts on the golf course, etc. And most importantly, don’t wear white socks.

10/15/2012 3:53:58 PM

Quote :

" Historically, the goal has been to look like you’re going to work and not playing golf, but this line is becoming increasingly blurred as the typical golf attire has fallen more in line with what we generally associate as casual work clothes. No one really looks good in a polo shirt, but it’s a necessary evil at some offices."

Why do you consider this a negative? Do you have a problem with people focusing more on actual job performance and comfort rather than old social norms?

10/15/2012 4:25:47 PM

Quote :

"I've been spoiled by working for a silicon valley company for 14 years and just wearing whatever I want to. It would be a tough adjustment for me to adhere to a dress code if I went to work for an 'old-world' company. "

Seriously. Being on an interactive creative team, I get a lot of wardrobe liberties. Some people here show up in medical scrubs. I'm wearing my LuLuLemon yoga clothes at the moment.

That said, for men's polo shirts, I really like the thin vintage-y styles. Banana republic has a nice one: http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=83016&nsc&mlink=10894,5081454,3&clink=5081454

10/15/2012 4:32:57 PM

^^I really am not at all uncomfortable in what I wear to work. A nice pair of dress pants and a nice dress shirt is not any more uncomfortable than khakis and a polo or even my jeans and a flannel or whatever else I wear outside of work.

To each their own though. I guess it's strange that I am like that at work because outside of work I am at best "casual chic." I'm a jeans and tshirt kind of guy or a casual button-up (not dress but like flannel or something) year round whether we're going to a nice place or the corner bar. But then for work, I don't even own a pair of khakis or a polo

[Edited on October 15, 2012 at 4:45 PM. Reason : ]

10/15/2012 4:40:31 PM

"To each their own" absolutely...your comment just seemed to indicate that you view it as a negative that other people are wearing something they consider to be more comfortable

I can't speak for anyone other than myself obviously, but I can tell you for a fact that if it's 95 degrees out I'm infinitely more comfortable wearing golf pants and a short sleeve golf shirt than dress slacks and a button up shirt...I would tend to think I am not outside the majority here, but who knows

I would also ask this: If you are just as comfortable wearing slacks and a button up shirt as you are in jeans and a polo, why don't you wear that all the time? And this is not a gotcha question, I realize there are reasonable answers to this questions, I am just curious as to what they are for you

10/15/2012 5:06:46 PM

wear a suit, every day. all day.

10/15/2012 5:09:39 PM

^^I kind of compartmentalize and that's the easiest answer. Being dressed up is not my style in general (as evidenced by what I wear when I'm outside of work). But in areas where I feel like dressing up is appreciated or can provide some benefit I enjoy dressing well. I enjoy feeling like one of the better dressed people at work and it provides some level of confidence for me whether I am in a meeting with my peers or speaking in front of clients. BUT, I can 100% say that if I worked some place where everybody else wore jeans every day, I would wear jeans every day. I would never be THAT guy who is the only guy dressing up way above others.

As far as the temperature is concerned, weather isn't really any issue for me. Regardless of the temperature outside, the inside temperature is usually pretty similar at work regardless so I can wear the same stuff year round and just bring jackets accordingly in the winter for the walk into work.



[Edited on October 15, 2012 at 5:22 PM. Reason : ]

10/15/2012 5:13:19 PM

Dudes are really into the performance fabrics and whatnot.

But if you're not actually outside "sporting" or whatever, you can just pick up some cheap ones from JC Penny when they go on sale. You want a non-baggy fit, never more than one button undone, and a reasonably pressed collar. Sleeve lengths will vary, and they're all fine, but folks look a little silly with the baggy arms that practically go past the elbows. Lighter colors will resist fading better than darker colors so keep that in mind when washing. I also think solid colors work better than stripes/patterns in the office.

Goodwill is always filled with men's shirts, by the way, and if they're not faded, stained, or holey, you can make them work in a casual setting.

Also, it's only like one small step up to a plain oxford shirt. Those are a little more versatile and dressy but still casual...so you can get more out of them than your polos.

10/15/2012 5:42:22 PM

Quote :

"don’t wear white socks."

Also, don't wear ankle socks

10/15/2012 5:45:49 PM

When shopping, just ask yourself, "What would Sipowicz wear?"

10/15/2012 5:50:52 PM

^^,^^^ some real advice up in here. I personally cringe at the idea of wearing golf polos. If you're going to wear polos in a business casual environment, I would (personally) at least wear a more traditional textile/weave--the golf polos are sporty and shiny and... yeah I personally just don't see the appeal at all. But It's probably a preference thing, especially if it's just more comfortable for you. As far as "moisture wicking" products, I usually wear a high-quality undershirt that takes care of that for me.

I personally favor a more traditional or even "conservative" business style--more or less classic cuts, collar styles, fabrics. Basically that just comes down to keeping it simple. Lots of light-colored Oxford style dress shirts, a navy or gray suit, some comfortable dress slacks, and some middle-tier dress shoes (like, some suede and other leathers, but the <$100 variety, not expensive stuff really). I also wear a simple watch.

It's not for everyone, but it's what I'm personally comfortable with.

[Edited on October 15, 2012 at 5:55 PM. Reason : f]

[Edited on October 15, 2012 at 5:56 PM. Reason : f]

10/15/2012 5:55:26 PM

I'm not a brand snob when it comes to polos. I stick with solid colors, and a traditional weave (as said above, I wear an undershirt so it doesn't have to be dri-fit or any of that nonsense). I don't care about the brand as long as it doesn't look shoddy. I also wear button-downs, both solid color (ie traditional dress shirt-y) and with subtle stripes/checks.

As far as pants go, I've found myself moving away from khakis and towards the more traditional "dress" slacks lately. They just look better to me. I haven't gotten rid of all of my chinos (and even bought a pair recently when I saw a color I liked on sale) but they form a smaller and smaller part of my pants selection.

10/15/2012 6:09:50 PM

Good stuff in here. To the OP, sort of depends your work environment. I usually just weareddie bauer, old navy, and Walmart basic solid cottons but that's mainly because in my shop or plant environment it's easier to let a 10-15 shirt get ruined than worry about not getting dirty. A nicer material moisture-wicking polo looks good, too. I've got a few docker and haggar solids but only wear them when I know I'll be at a desk all day. IMHO, there's a certain style of polos some of the co-ops and inside guys wear that look way too much like they just got out of a aeropostale or pacsun catalog, especially with the giant brand logo or "pre-faded" look. It sticks out like a sore thumb no matter what office dress code calls or allows for.

10/15/2012 6:26:39 PM

A mix of Target Polos and Nautica Polos from the Smithfield Outlet.

I'm such an Nautica whore

[Edited on October 15, 2012 at 7:38 PM. Reason : .]

10/15/2012 7:38:19 PM

I try to stick to a "no logos" rule of thumb for work polo shirts, although a couple of them break that but have the logo is the same color thread as the shirt so it's not noticeable. Definitely wouldn't ever do Polo brand, way too casual for my office. Add me to the performance wicking fabric club, best office attire invention ever!

10/15/2012 7:55:41 PM

I guess it depends what your work environment is. I work in a khaki and polo shirt environment, however, I know eventually the shirt and pants will get destroyed crawling in and out of aircraft. I prefer Banana Republic polos from the Smithfield outlet. Just get the solid colors and they are generally around $10

10/15/2012 8:05:01 PM

I still wear dress slacks and dress shoes with my polo shirts. Plain khakis remind me of my Harris Teeter days I always strive to dress one position higher than I am at. Dress for the job you want, not the job you have*.




ACT AS IF


[Edited on October 15, 2012 at 8:19 PM. Reason : *when applicable.]

10/15/2012 8:17:14 PM

I'm not sure what I'd do if I had to wear a collared shirt to work. That would get old real quick. Tee and shorts, depending on the weather. Shoes are optional.

10/15/2012 8:27:58 PM

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Wrangler-Men-s-Twill-Pants/17353299

These pants are great. Cheap, comfortable and wrinkle free. Best part is that they have elastic band that is hidden. They still fit great if you gain or loss weight.

I used to buy them at Target under a different brand name. Target quit selling them and it took a little research but I found them at Walmart.

10/15/2012 8:57:49 PM

i moved from a t-shirt/shorts/flipflops work environment to a polo/jeans/shoes environment

my preferred polos are cheap and feel like t-shirt material...they're essentially t-shirts with collars

i could wear a fine, tailored wool suit and i wouldn't impress anyone, so i'm okay with my $4 old navy polos (untucked, with an undershirt) and dark jeans

10/15/2012 9:06:57 PM

We have a restriction on logo sizes here for shirts. I am thinking of getting one of these though. The logo meet the restrictions

http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/zoom/eb25_doctor_who_polo_shirts.jpg


Usually though I'll get whatever polo shirts I see and if they are on sell.


For pants I got some of these. They are pretty comfortable and so far during the summer they weren't too heavy and aren't bad for being in the server room for any extended period of time


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Q8HLWY/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00

10/15/2012 9:08:40 PM

http://uncrate.com/stuff/brooks-brothers-golden-fleece-box-set/

10/15/2012 9:12:27 PM

Damnit, I tried to buy but the link doesn't work

10/15/2012 9:20:40 PM

Yeah, it was a fathers day thing

10/15/2012 9:28:14 PM

10/15/2012 9:33:05 PM

I really badly want to talk about higher-end men's shoes/boots here. Trying to determine if the environment towards expensive men's clothing will get as hostile as it does in the Chit Chat threads. Probably not.

10/15/2012 9:34:11 PM

can't beat wearing scrubs. might as well be pajamas

10/15/2012 10:08:47 PM

^ hell yeah, scrubs FTW

10/15/2012 10:13:41 PM

Men look sexy in scrubs.

10/15/2012 10:39:44 PM

I wear jeans, a polo (untucked) and my New Balances to work every day, unless an attorney comes in for a personal interview regarding a case, then khakis and polo and nicer shoes

10/15/2012 10:52:56 PM

Aiight, it's time to drop the knowledge up in here. My recommendation is to skip polo shirts entirely and go straight to dress shirts. Polo shirts are for people that can't dress themselves. Polo shirts are for people who are on their way to the golf course. Polo shirts are things you wear when the temperature is > 90. Polo shirts are things you wear on a Friday, because it's freakin' Friday and you can let yourself be a little sloppy.

There's nothing wrong with a button up shirt. I know I alluded to focusing on dress shirts, but I'm not. Button up will do. Don't get that wrinkly, loose fitting crap from Aeropostale (Don't even bother shopping there; what are you, 15?). I don't see anything wrong with a "club" shirt as long as the thing isn't loud with the colors. If it has some unique textures, it passes my test. Aside from that, find some solid color shirts or some shirts with a striped design and call it a day. You can find shirts where you can roll up the sleeves and make it short sleeve for added comfort. If you care about the way you look, you can avoid "stretch fit" that's designed to fit a hefty guy in his forties and get something that's more tailor fitted to your figure. That said, if you're one of those hefty guys, get the stretch shirt or lose some weight.

Now take those shirts and pair it off with some dress slacks. No khakis. You're not at school and you're not wearing a uniform. Go for the dress slacks. Get them khaki colored if you're desperate for something similar. Most dress slacks are made of thinner material that's more comfortable and not as constricting anyway. Even Dockers can make some dressy type slacks that looks pretty good. I own a couple of their slacks that came from their golf line..great stuff.

You throw on some dress slacks and a button up shirt and you're on your way to looking better than the majority of your peers (that's especially true if you work with engineers or IT folk). It also takes little to no effort to make it work. You don't have to go against your moral judgment and wear a tie. If you know what you're doing, you can make yourself comfortable without compromising by wearing a polo. You can get some decent shirts from Express, Banana Republic, J Crew, Guess, and some of the nicer department stores (Kohls has a decent selection if you're value oriented).

If you're going to settle for the polo, then pick up some Lacoste, Ralph Lauren if you're into that type of thing. Peter Millar also has a decent selection. I personally favor Nike/Adidas because the material is lightweight and breathes better. Since I typically don't wear a polo unless it's 90 degrees, that type of utility is appreciated.

10/15/2012 11:54:32 PM

^Aw yeah, I like this guy and would echo most of those points, especially about some of the stores (Banana Republic, J Crew, Express, for some decent business-casual styled shirts). I agree concerning polos too--to me they're casual and not the best looking, so if I'm going to wear them I want a NICE polo. If it's "moisture-wicking" whatever, fine, just make sure it looks nice and isn't the kind that's super shiny and neon colored.

I would personally advocate that, if you want to look better in the workplace, one of the easiest ways to do that is by having nice quality shoes. The same way that SuperDude says that dress slacks and a button-up can up your professionalism, so does a genuinely nice pair of shoes. I won't get super specific with dress shoes because some people just won't pay for nice shoes, but I personally wear middle-range leather shoes (G.H. Bass, Florsheim, some Cole Haan) with traditional toes (not squared). Usually everyone should have a pair of black dress shoes, but you can branch out from there into different colors, leathers (suede, cordovan, beeswax), et cetera, but usually shoes get discarded in discussions like this. I personally think they add a lot to your attire and can be a huge investment for your wardrobe. You don't have to buy $300 Allen Edmonds, but the brands I mentioned are usually in the $50-$150 range.

10/16/2012 12:52:40 AM

http://www.lacoste.com/

10/16/2012 1:16:30 AM

To provide examples of what ^^^ is saying, try a shirt like this to impress:

10/16/2012 1:17:43 AM

10/16/2012 1:49:10 AM

SuperDude won this thread.

I actually do wear polos to work a lot, but it's because of this:

Quote :

" Polo shirts are things you wear when the temperature is > 90."

I use to think I had to dress up more, but I have my own business and if I don't have a client coming in or I'm not going to court, I don't run into anyone where my dress would matter. I'm not wearing a suit to work everyday on the off-chance that someone is going to pop their head in or the "lottery" client will stop by. Dry-cleaning can add up.

I've actually got some old Izod/Lacoste polos that my dad use to wear when he golfed all the time (they're old enough that IZOD use to make Lacoste polos) that are narrow and fit me perfectly. I wear them with slacks.

When it finally starts to cool down, it move to the button ups and rolled up sleeves. I simply cannot wear my sleeves buttoned all the way down unless I have the jacket on.

10/16/2012 6:52:22 AM

I wear tennis shoes, shorts, and tshirts pretty much every day. I've debated wearing at least a polo type shirt but I never know what I am gonna get into each day and getting crap all over a shirt I paid more than 10 dollars for when I dont have to has made me stick with just cheap stuff.

10/16/2012 8:29:27 AM

Jeans, steel toed boots, expendable shirt.

10/16/2012 9:27:42 AM

Don't ever wear khakis (chinos), you're not in school anymore. If you don't want to wear dress slacks, get something like a cotton dress pant. They're thinner/lighter and have a better finish that looks more professional without being a heavier wool. They generally come in khaki colors too. They'll pair well with a nice polo if you want to dress down, although I'd always recommend a button up. If you MUST wear a polo, don't get one of those heavy cotton knits with logos, again you're not in school. Dark colored denim is also acceptable given that you pair it with leather shoes and a blazer or something. Gotta balance out the casual with something more professional.

For nice moderately priced shoes that are also comfortable, I'd also recommend Clark's.

[Edited on October 16, 2012 at 10:04 AM. Reason : .]

10/16/2012 10:02:35 AM

i hope to never have a job that requires me to dress even a little like SuperDude does

if that means i'm stuck making less than $200k/year, i'm fine with that

10/16/2012 10:16:37 AM

You would seriously take less money so you don't have to wear slacks and a button up?? What is wrong with you?

10/16/2012 10:27:41 AM

I work in a lab

the quickest way to ruin nice clothes is to wear them in that kind of environment

I wear jeans and button-up cotton shirts to work

10/16/2012 10:34:21 AM

Quote :

"You would seriously take less money so you don't have to wear slacks and a button up?? What is wrong with you?"

i didn't actually say that, you know

do you have ANY idea what i do? move along, kid

10/16/2012 10:37:47 AM

isn't that what lab coats are for?

10/16/2012 10:37:55 AM