You Can Wear a Suit! I'm Wearing Shorts.
Michael Adams
Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: Opinion
So, I'm new to this whole Archway thing, but I'm not afraid to let people know what I think. You may want to hunt me down on campus and berate me or give me a giant hug. The choice is yours. I would like to bring up a topic that may be touchy-feely to the strictly business types we have here on campus (which is like 90%), but that's why I'm writing in the opinion section.
With all of that aside, I am sick and tired of so many professors enforcing this "you must wear a suit" crap. What do you mean I must wear a suit? What's wrong with shorts and a t-shirt? That's what I thought…crickets. You're probably reading this thinking there is something just plain wrong with this kid, but I will defend my point with strategic examples that will just plain wow you.
In one of my classes this semester, we discussed why we wear suits. I wanted to just put in my ear plugs, and chill, but I bit the bullet, and listened to why businessmen wear suits. Apparently it shows power, confidence, and it's the "norm". If you ask me, these three words have been tossed around the American language like Brittney has been, back and forth with rehab.
I own two small Vermont specialty food businesses (ok-keep the Vermont jokes to a minimum), and I go to work every day with a t-shirt and shorts on. Maybe even flip-fops if I want to. I know…daring, huh? I do this because I can, and because it makes me happy. I even go to meetings with retail accounts and suppliers in a t-shirt and shorts. Do you honestly think they care? Well, ten stores (we're growing) and a national presence later, I don't think they do. I have made pretty big deals with our partners in a coffee shop, wearing a sweatshirt. I wasn't in a stingy, uncomfortable suit, like the rest of you poor souls that climb the escalator to go to a job where your work is basically meaningless.
Back to those three words: power, confidence, and the "norm"-apparently the three reasons we wear suits. Power. If you're not in a position of power, why should you wear a suit? Will you get fired if you don't wear a suit? Maybe. Have I gotten denied business because I was in a t-shirt and shorts? No. Hell, if you are in a position of power why are you wearing a suit?
With all of that aside, I am sick and tired of so many professors enforcing this "you must wear a suit" crap. What do you mean I must wear a suit? What's wrong with shorts and a t-shirt? That's what I thought…crickets. You're probably reading this thinking there is something just plain wrong with this kid, but I will defend my point with strategic examples that will just plain wow you.
In one of my classes this semester, we discussed why we wear suits. I wanted to just put in my ear plugs, and chill, but I bit the bullet, and listened to why businessmen wear suits. Apparently it shows power, confidence, and it's the "norm". If you ask me, these three words have been tossed around the American language like Brittney has been, back and forth with rehab.
I own two small Vermont specialty food businesses (ok-keep the Vermont jokes to a minimum), and I go to work every day with a t-shirt and shorts on. Maybe even flip-fops if I want to. I know…daring, huh? I do this because I can, and because it makes me happy. I even go to meetings with retail accounts and suppliers in a t-shirt and shorts. Do you honestly think they care? Well, ten stores (we're growing) and a national presence later, I don't think they do. I have made pretty big deals with our partners in a coffee shop, wearing a sweatshirt. I wasn't in a stingy, uncomfortable suit, like the rest of you poor souls that climb the escalator to go to a job where your work is basically meaningless.
Back to those three words: power, confidence, and the "norm"-apparently the three reasons we wear suits. Power. If you're not in a position of power, why should you wear a suit? Will you get fired if you don't wear a suit? Maybe. Have I gotten denied business because I was in a t-shirt and shorts? No. Hell, if you are in a position of power why are you wearing a suit?
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