Do you wear a suit?
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Note to self:
Soothsayer has to shave twice a day--this dude is seriously macho.
Topic: Do you wear a suit?
Yes, or at least a shirt + tie (coat only when out in public and/or w/clients).
[quote=Cowboy93]
Topic: Do you wear a suit?
Yes, or at least a shirt + tie (coat only when out in public and/or w/clients).
[/quote]Do you wear pants and shoes too?
At the risk of taking a verbal beating from my old friend NASD PutEasy, I'll confess to wearing a lot of what you all call country club casual. When/when not to wear a suit is a judgement call for me. 95% of my clients/prospects don't care either way as long as what I wear looks reasonable (clean and wrinkle-free). Sure, I wear a nice suit and tie when presenting investment management to a foundation or pension plan, but mostly, my suits sit quietly in the closet. This is truly a function of "know your customer/prospect". Those of us in the flyover states/rural areas understand that a suit often doesn't breed trust among the locals. The Amish business owner with a mil in his money market account at the bank will not trust a "city slicker in a suit" and write the check. You don't have to believe me, but I know what locals have told me.
Sure, perhaps someday I'll guess wrong and lose a client/prospect because of what I choose to wear, but I don't see that happening often enough to threaten my business, and if a client/prospect is that sensitive about my wardrobe, there's a good chance that they're going to be a fussy, pain in the ass anyway.
So count by vote for some of both, depending on the situation...how's that for riding the fence?
Topic: Do you wear a suit?
Yes, or at least a shirt + tie (coat only when out in public and/or w/clients).
Do you wear pants and shoes too?
-----------------
No pants, but shoes and knee black socks.
But seriously folks....I'm not at a point in my business where I can afford to take any chances, so a suit makes sense. I like the idea of going to a case-by-case basis down the road when I don't really have to worry about it. But, then I think I'd always want wear the shirt and tie w/clients--since that's what they're used to and I do believe the seriousness of our capacity does call for a higher standard than the mortgage guy, retail banker, et al. Plus, what message would I be communicating (subtly, I grant you) by dressing the part until I was big and successful, but then at least appearing to "take it easy" once I'm there?
[quote=joedabrkr] [quote=Cowboy93]
Topic: Do you wear a suit?
Yes, or at least a shirt + tie (coat only when out in public and/or w/clients).
[/quote]
Do you wear pants and shoes too?
[/quote]
Don't forget your super secret adventures of FA comic book hero underoos too!
[quote=Devoted SA][quote=joedabrkr] [quote=Cowboy93]
Topic: Do you wear a suit?
Yes, or at least a shirt + tie (coat only when out in public and/or w/clients).
[/quote]
Do you wear pants and shoes too?
[/quote]
Don't forget your super secret adventures of FA comic book hero underoos too!
[/quote]Captain Underpants? My kids love him!!!
I know this subject was dead, but I found this interesting tidbit on the Ric Edelman website regarding his office for his employees. If you don't know him, you should:
Our No-Tie Zone policy states that traditional business attire is no longer required (for EFSers or clients). Instead, dress code requires EFSers to dress comfortably while maintaining an image that reflects self-imposed standards for quality. The policy was a big hit when it was announced and gained national recognition with coverage by ABC News, The Washington Post, and a front-page article in The Wall Street Journal.
Sorry to bring this up again.....
[quote=Ready2Jump]
Our No-Tie Zone policy states that traditional business attire is no longer required (for EFSers or clients). Instead, dress code requires EFSers to dress comfortably while maintaining an image that reflects self-imposed standards for quality. The policy was a big hit when it was announced and gained national recognition with coverage by ABC News, The Washington Post, and a front-page article in The Wall Street Journal.
[/quote]
It's all part of the coarsening of America--the lowering of standards because of our national frenzy to "diversify." Who says that white Anglo Saxon standards of behavior and dress are any better than any other society's? Who are we to judge.
A few years ago it was not uncommon for people to show up at interview for back office personnel in the Wall Street area dressed like they were African kings or queens--those robes and hats, sandals, the whole nine yards.
This set off quite a panic among the HR types--do we have to hire them because if we don't we could appear to be racists?
Nobody has ever said that dressing down is wrong. The point those of us who understand things were making is that a financial type can never go wrong wearing a business suit.
In a business that is more difficult to negotiate than a mine field it makes no sense to buck the odds by not appearing to be the consumate professional.
There is no upside to financial planner wearing casual clothes while on the job. Not one.
The trend, by the way, is back to mandatory business suits. The pendulum deal. Probably one of these days it will be mandated that a financial planner at a major firm must wear nothing but dark pinstripe suits, white shirts, conservative ties and shoes with laces.
And if it does swing that far it will not be a bad idea.
Why would you meet with a client wearing something you'd never consider wearing to a job interview? Every meeting with a client is a job interview--they, the client, are always taking their measure of you and your attitude. Just like an HR vice president would be in an interview.
Ever had a telephone interview? I've done them from both sides. When I was interviewing I could tell which of the people I was talking to were wearing a business suit--even though they were at home. They just sounded more professional and confident.
Here is what is really up; You guys have been posting to this post about casual dressing and how it is appropriate because you guys can't afford suits.
Work for Edjones. It will help you out.
oh yeah also, a nice watch is a good addition, i.e., rolex submariner or tag heuer carrera
Speaking of Rolex. I gave my wife a gold ladies President for her 40th birthday--which was in 1987.
While we were in Europe it just stopped working so she tucked it away somewhere safe and when we got home she sent it to her brother who has a friend who repairs them.
He called an hour or so ago and told her that he had gotten it back last night.
Damn those things! A gift that keeps on costing.