You can always call HR or refer to the stated policy.

I would interpret business professional by contrasting it to business casual; at least a sport coat/blazer or suit.

I hate terms like this as they are a moving target. “Evening chic”....what the hell does that mean? “Smart casual”....WTF?

I would just ask. Listen, it never hurts to have a navy and charcoal suit along with a navy blazer on hand.

 

Oh I mean, “business professional” came from the onboarding documents so I think it’s official. Haha.

I do have one navy suit, which I wore to the interview. And like one dress shirt and two ties, and that’s about it.

 

Oh! I mean the order for “business professional” came from HR, so I think it’s official. Haha.

I do have a navy suit, but’s it’s pretty much all I have that’s really business professional. And like two dress shirts and two ties.

 

Oh! I mean the order for "business professional" came from HR, so I think it's official. Haha.

I do have a navy suit, but's it's pretty much all I have that's really business professional. And like two dress shirts and two ties.

Right. But you should still ask what that means. Share with them your observations during the interview.

You're assuming they mean that by business professional but your observation was not consistent with that.

It's completely appropriate to ask.

 

I agree with SG_67. Terms like this are singularly unhelpful. My guess is that it means tailored trousers or khakis and a dress or collared sport shirt, with a sport coat and necktie both optional and not that common. But that is just a guess. SG is right -- call HR and ask. I hope they say coat and tie, but I'd be surprised.

 

Okay, I will ask on Monday.

I take it it’s not really professional to take the jacket off if your wearing a tie. Even if it’s just down time at the office?

 

Okay, I will ask on Monday.

I take it it's not really professional to take the jacket off if your wearing a tie. Even if it's just down time at the office?

Personally, I don't like the look. I think it's ok if you're sitting at your desk, but otherwise no.

But if that's the dress code then it's the dress code.

 

I agree with SG_67. You should have a navy and a charcoal suit, and a navy blazer. If you want to hang the jackets up, so be it, but they're available if something important comes up.
I'd add 4 or 5 shirts and two pairs of shoes to rotate. This is not vanity or self-indulgence ; you are going into business, and these are business investments.

I'd probably advise a haircut, but in all honesty if my hair suddenly grew back I'd probably wear it down to the middle of my back

 

With certainty, a nice navy blazer, a couple of blue and white dress shirts, a few ties, a pair of tan and grey slacks, and a decent pair of dark shoes (black, oxblood, or dark brown) will be a decent beginning of a wardrobe. You can always ask the person who interviewed you also.

 

great! Thanks for all the advice. I will check with HR on Monday about their definition of business professional. I guess I am just nervous because I've always worked casual jobs my entire life. I've never felt very comfortable about dressing up nor particularly liked wearing ties. but this job offer is too good to pass up because of something as silly as the dress code so I'm gonna bear with it.

Any ideas how to get more comfortable wearing business professional?

 

Thank you for all for the good advice. I will ask HR to further define business professional.

It’s going to be a big change for me because I’ve never been fully comfortable dressing up and wearing ties, and now I guess I’m going to be doing it everyday. but the offer is too good right out of school to to turn for something as trivial as dressing up everyday, so I’m gonna plow through it.

Anyone have ideas on how get use to it? Or ways to dress more comfortable in a suit and tie?

 

A lot of colleges and MBA schools publish dress code guidelines just for this purpose (that transition from hoodies and flip-flops as a student to suits as a human being).

Business professional basic wardrobe is a couple of suits (one navy, one grey) and ties, blue or white shirts, black belt, and black shoes (which are polished regularly). You can grow from there.

Complaints about the discomfort of suits, ties, and so on stems from not having them fitted correctly: shirt necks are too small, shoes too large or too small, a stupid, contemporary "Pee Wee Herman" suit cut, etc. If you wear correctly-fitting business attire, it's pretty comfortable, because it doesn't fight you - it moves with you (pro-tip: suits should drape... if it's grabbing on to your body, it's too tight and/or short).

Spend less on suits and more on tailoring. Be demanding - people get shy about asking for that third fitting. Don't. Also, once your tailor figures your weird body out (all bodies are weird), it will get easier and easier to get stuff fitted correctly.

This can't be emphasized enough: fit is EVERYTHING. A $170 suit which fits perfectly is better than an $17000 suit (they exist) which doesn't. Fit, fit, fit. Nothing else really matters.

For fun, here's Emory University's guide ( they're down the street from my house, so I'm using theirs): https://bit.ly/31iRFgb

DH

 

A lot of colleges and MBA schools publish dress code guidelines just for this purpose (that transition from hoodies and flip-flops as a student to suits as a human being).

For fun, here's Emory University's guide ( they're down the street from my house, so I'm using theirs): https://bit.ly/31iRFgb

I think that guide is about right for professional attire and don't see you going wrong if you follow it. I personally wouldn't ask anyone at your new employer what to wear. As an employer of professionals myself, I always appreciate new people who already know these things or at least can figure them out for themselves. It seems to indicate leadership qualities and you are a consultant, after all...

 

Consider choosing pieces that may be worn with the rest of what you have and are getting. The ability to mix and match your clothes and know with confidence that the pieces go well together is comforting. I once had drawings made to demonstrate the idea that you could get many days of different looks from a small number of items. Abramost.com

Unless you have a good eye for these things, take a talented oil painter with you to shop. They will be able to make sure the shade of blue and grey and other colors in the ties and shirts are ones that go well with your coloring and also that the proportions of the suit (lapel width, gorge height, button stance, length are flattering to your body's build. For example it is common to read that a white shirt is a staple of business dress but your complexion may mean you look much better in an Ecru or other color similar to but not exactly white. The oil painter will know.

If you start right, you avoid a lot of money spent on things in your closet that only go with one or two other things. If staring out go mix and match and later when your wallet allows splurge on items that go only with one or two other things.

 

I mean, first I have to find an oil painter haha!

 

The single most important thing, if you are going to wear a tie all day every day, is getting the right collar size for your shirts. Don't let the salesman talk you into a too tight collar, and they will shrink a bit over time. If in doubt, go bigger.

With a properly sized collar, you'll be just as comfortable wearing a tie as not wearing one.

 

This, it makes no comfort difference to me whether or not there is a tie as the collar fits properly.

 

With all this talk about business professional, I hope the OP doesn't forget that he wasn't hired for his wardrobe. Do your job well, and you can catch up on the rest. Do poorly, and there isn't a suit that will aid in recovery.

 

OP here! I sorted out my account situation...you hear me admin, this is now my only account! Lol!

I just finished my third day at the new job. In answer to the some of the debates, yes we are expected to wear suits in everyday, but in the office we take the jackets off if clients aren’t in. We put jackets on if we go out to lunch.

I was kinda uncomfortable dressing up for the first day, because I’ve always hated wearing ties lol, but honestly by the end of the day I forgot it was on.

im on a team with a bunch analysts my age so we are all in same boat going into our big boy jobs lol.

and yes, i wound up going to the barber.

 

OP here! I sorted out my account situation...you hear me admin, this is now my only account! Lol!

I just finished my third day at the new job. In answer to the some of the debates, yes we are expected to wear suits in everyday, but in the office we take the jackets off if clients aren't in. We put jackets on if we go out to lunch.

I was kinda uncomfortable dressing up for the first day, because I've always hated wearing ties lol, but honestly by the end of the day I forgot it was on.

im on a team with a bunch analysts my age so we are all in same boat going into our big boy jobs lol.

and yes, i wound up going to the barber.

Sounds like you joined a Firm with sound sartorial standards. Congratulations.

 

Was this the last ever question about professional dress on AAAC forums? February 2020? I wonder how much of the quiet around here is that men don't have to / want to "dress up" anymore? I mean, not the core trad guys of course!

I hope OP is still enjoying Dallas!

 

Was this the last ever question about professional dress on AAAC forums? February 2020? I wonder how much of the quiet around here is that men don't have to / want to "dress up" anymore? I mean, not the core trad guys of course!

I hope OP is still enjoying Dallas!

Certainly a factor, combined with absentee moderation that chased away droves of users and left the site in its present diminished condition. Also, fora such as this are a dying breed.