dressing the part

[sandhawke]

There's been a little staffing change at work, and I'm supposed to start spending 20% of my time on eGov stuff. This will including attending meetings like the gov2.0summit, where everyone will dress in business formal. No one is saying I have to wear a suit and tie, but people are suggesting that if I do, I'll end up being a lot more

Comments

[jacflash]

Spend the money for a couple of good ones, in good materials, altered to hang well on you, in classic, traditional cuts that won't look goofy in 5 years. This is what companies like Brooks Bros are all about. You want something that will last several years, that is completely comfortable to wear, and that you like.

Get them in "3 season" weight -- they'll be hot to wear in summer, but in summer you can wear a pair of gabardine pants and carry a jacket and nobody will care (because they'll be doing the same thing)

Also, accessories count: A pair or two of good shoes, 5 or 6 good conservative silk ties, and shirts that also fit you well and aren't made of cheap materials -- I favor old-school all cotton, the kind you iron or have sent out to be pressed (any dry cleaner will do this), as they look much better than the "easy care" varieties that have shown up in recent years.

This is one of those things where spending a little extra money goes a long way in terms of comfort and durability.

[sandhawke]

... except I imagine I'll only dress like this a few days a year (way less than ten), so ... do I care about durability?

[jacflash]

To some extent, yes... you could get ten years or more out of a good suit worn that infrequently.

[dancingwolfgrrl]

Yeah, I have one suit that I wear only for interviews, and I spent about $80 on it. If you think you'll have to wear it more than one day in a row, buy extra shirts and ties.

[sandhawke]

What kind of shoes? I don't think I've ever had dress shoes.

How do you pick ties, if you have no idea of the styles?

Where does one get such shoes and shirts and ties?

[rosiewoodboat]

This is the cutest thing I've ever read. Precious!

[lcohen]

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/index.ognc?CategoryID=27838&PageID=119563324316912&kw=Ties

this is where we got a bunch of ties for one of my partners--very traditional.