Dressing for Productivity
Earlier today, I read Khoi Vinh's article Clothes Make the Design Director and found it surprisingly relevant and timely. Vinh struggled with wardrobe choice as it reflects his responsibilities and capabilities as the design director of NYTimes.com. The design industry is one in which clothing is often as not casual, eclectic and alternative but Vinh felt unprofessional in his corduroys, short sleeves, and Chuck Taylors. Can respect be garnered simply through fine tailoring? And do any of us normal people truly want to construct the perfect and unique hipster outfit every morning?
I went through three outfits Monday morning before I was able to leave the house in peace. I started in a pair of hand-me-down gray Carhartt's with a VC Ultimate jersey. No, this didn't feel right---too informal. I switched to a nicer, cotton t-shirt and threw a VC quarter-zip ripper over it. I still was unsettled. What was wrong? I was only going to the law firm in Beacon Hill, at which everyone dresses casually. No one there has ever so much as blinked at sandals, shorts, Ultimate jerseys or my Jolly Roger armband.
And then I had a bit of an epiphany.
When I work at NeonGecko, I always acquit myself in smart clothing, be it business or business-casual. The nice shoes and belt come out, and I am rarely without a collar. Such has always been my conception of that job. I am compensated well because I am a skilled professional who delivers code and lands clients. I dress as if I am worth it and I work to prove it.
In contrast, I have not felt particularly professional or motivated of late in my development of CaseHawk for LawFortress. The working mode and environment has long been too casual, too haphazard, and I do not accomplish as much as I should. I have probably billed 25% fewer hours in each of the last two months than in any of those ten months preceding.
So, on Monday morning, I changed again, into a nicer pair of jeans and a tan button-down and my slick Skechers. I was dressing to approach seriously and professionally my work that day. I cannot say that those hours were perfect in productivity but I took a step in the right direction, I think. A brown, leather step, free of dangling dying threads at the end of my pant leg and Ultimate logos splashed across my chest.
From Nicole
Commented September 12th, 2007 11:02 am
Interesting - I'm struggling with "dressing like a director" - don't want to spend my small pay increase all on clothes that make me look the part. Also, don't want to spend my meager clothing budget on clothes in which i don't feel comfortable - yet, you of course have a point (and I of course have some appopriate clothing).
But, sounds like a nice outfit you finally decided on (except for the skechers, not a big fan. . . - do you know about Clarks/Wallabees? - they're sometimes $$$ but supposed to be comfy and i like how men look in them - Mark has 2 pairs). Just a little commentary from your fashion consultant!
From drew
Commented September 12th, 2007 1:45 pm
Aw, I like my Skechers: http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=222156
Except, the laces are a bit too chunky and skater-shoe-ish.
Hmmm, I will check out the Clarks/Wallabees.
From Joaq
Commented September 12th, 2007 3:36 pm
Looks like your Sketchers are Puma rip-offs
. Anyway, I'm not a big fan of Sketchers. As per the Wallos, you should definitely get them, just don't get the creams unless you know a good place to get them died (dyeing the tounge baby blue would be sweet). Also, getting the Clarks would give you street-cred with Ghostface and the rest of the Wu-Tang (or you could just get "Wu-Wallabees": http://wuwearshoes.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=W&Product_Code=SDDS )
From Nicole
Commented September 14th, 2007 10:40 am
Hmmm. . . yes, I would say maybe, since this is on the professional topic, staying away from anything with the wu-tang logo on it would probably be a fashion forward decision (though Mark's friend Vinny Ponte is now part of the WTC - perhaps first white/Italian member?)
Clarks makes many types of shoes, but their Originals are called Wallabees: http://www.zappos.com/n/es/d/722001128/page/1.html
They're pretty fine. Your skechers seem more sublime than some - nice choice, but I'm promising you, the Wallabees will score highly with the ladies.
We've got to go shopping. . . !