“Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.”

Yea, no.

This quote is stupid and faux-aspirational because it assumes that company atmosphere in regards to your work attire changes once you climb the ladder. Like the interns and entry-level schmucks wear jeans and the CEO comes in wearing suits. Chances are, if you work in a business-casual environment, everyone is dressed as such. Or if you work for a tech company where everyone wears jeans, including the CEO, why would you, a tech-person, get your good clothes dirty by going off a bogus saying?

Or let’s assume that you work for a restaurant or food chain that has uniforms. The boss may come in wearing  business casual clothes, but you have a uniform. Do you want to get fired because you felt all inspired to dress like your boss when there are corporate and sanitation guidelines that require you to wear a specific outfit? And are you really trying to be the general manager of that location of Wendy’s? (No shade if so.)

You can figure out the company atmosphere and what the general level of professionalism the attire your position calls for through the interview process. If you can’t decode the office style, then be safe and wear a business casual suit on the first day. Once you get in, you will know what to wear and how to fit in. And by doing that, you’ll look ready for the job you have and the job you want.

Published by Ashleigh

Ashleigh is a recent M.S. graduate from Northeastern University. She works as an interactive designer in Atlanta and loves dogs, Netflix, and great food. Oh, also the creator and designer of this here shindig you are reading right now. View my impersonal personal blog @ socialeigh.com.

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