There's no shortage of old sayings about how people judge you by your clothes. And in the years since the pandemic reshaped office life, the conversation about business attire has only intensified. Back in 2020 we wore smart shirts and blazers over sweatpants for our video calls. Today we're just as likely to show up in a plain tee.
What many of us have realized is that "dressing down" for work has been trending for a long time. As far back as 2017, major New York firms had already dropped the requirement to wear suits to the office.
But What if You Don't Work at a Big New York City Firm?
With hybrid and in-person work now the norm, it makes sense to take a hard look at the traditional suit and decide whether it still earns its place in your wardrobe. Below we walk through three common situations and weigh the pros and cons of the classic jacket, trousers, and tie.
Starting Out
Sometimes the toughest day of a job comes before you're even hired: the interview. Deciding what to wear for that all-important first meeting can be agonizing. Dress down too far and you risk looking unprofessional. Show up in a sharper suit than your prospective employer and you can come across as cheeky, or worse, desperate.
For interviews, our verdict is business casual. There's no universal playbook, but for men that generally means slacks or chinos, a suit jacket or blazer, and a smart button-down. Beyond that, read your industry. If you know someone working in the field, ask them what's appropriate.
Here's an overlooked tip: when you schedule the interview, simply ask what the company dress code is. Don't worry about seeming unsure of yourself, it does the opposite. It signals that you want to fit in and that you're open to direction. An old adage says to show up ready to start work that same day: if you're interviewing to build houses, bring your boots and tool belt. For most jobs, there's no better way to learn how they'd like you to dress than to ask.
Already at Work
If you're an established member of your organization and you're unsure whether you still need to suit up every day, the short answer is that you probably don't. Why? Because if you're in an office where it's even a question, there's usually enough flexibility to start dressing down.
On the other hand, if everyone around you is in a full tailored suit, you're likely nowhere near asking the question in the first place.
When you do start dressing down at work, begin small. Ditch the tie first, then read the room. If you notice you're the only one who's lost the tie, keep a spare in your desk drawer for the days you need one in a hurry.
Another option is to drop the jacket but keep the tie, a relaxed look that still carries an air of professionalism.
Outside Your Own Office
The real test of whether to wear a suit comes when you step outside the comfort zone of your own workplace. Client meetings, industry conferences, and media appearances on behalf of your company are all moments when your appearance carries weight.
What makes the call tricky is that in today's business world, a suit can say something about you that you may not want to project. To a lot of younger professionals, suits read as the uniform of a stuffy older generation, and wearing one can actually work against your credibility.
Meanwhile, if you're meeting a client from an older generation, showing up without a suit can make you look unprofessional or unprepared.
The rule of thumb outside the office is the classic trio: weddings, funerals, and court all call for a suit. Beyond those, the days of needing one simply to do business are largely behind us.
Even when you're dealing with clients or partners who do wear suits, putting one on just for them, when you normally wouldn't, can look like you're trying too hard to please. Let's be honest: some business situations are about negotiating from a position of strength. If you show up in a suit to meet another company's rep who knows you don't wear one day to day, it can read as either combative or as caving to their expectations.
In the End, Dress for You
The bottom line is that suits are largely optional now. That doesn't mean you should never wear one, there are still occasions when a suit is essential. Even Mark Zuckerberg wore one when he testified before Congress.
But outside of those moments, if you feel comfortable in a suit and you look good in it, that confidence shows. Nothing reads worse than someone visibly uncomfortable in their clothes, and the flip side is just as true: a person who genuinely pulls off a suit really pulls it off. Worn well, a suit can set you apart from a sea of business casual.
All that said, a suit is no longer a must for the modern professional. Most offices have gone hybrid, and with so much business now conducted online, casual wear has settled into the workplace for good. In some rooms a suit can even look out of place and put people off. In the end it comes down to the situation, looking good, and being comfortable, whatever you choose to wear.
Pros of Wearing a Suit
- Sets a tone and sends a message
- Widens your wardrobe and makes it more versatile
- Can be dressed up or down as the day requires
Cons of Wearing a Suit
- The message it sends might be the wrong one
- Can look out of place in a modern office
- If you're not comfortable in a suit, it shows