Dressing for work in an American corporation

[CloserToFiftyThanTwenty]

Just that - what is essential to look professional in a US blue chip company? I'm assuming a suit / day dress is standard wear, along with decent shoes and bag. But what about the subtle stuff: manicure / hair / make up / tights?

Any advice much appreciated!

Those are called "dickies" in the US.

Last time I was in the US, the hotel I was staying at hosted a massive legal conference. They were like little clones in their chinos and shirts regardless of gender. I guessed it was their off duty look, but DDad who works in the Silicon Valley told me that's what everyone wears. Different to the formal New Yorkers.

I'd feel like a dickie wearing one! Had never heard of them till I saw one on The Big Bang Theory.

Yeah, dickies were a thing when I was growing up in America. Of course, you could probably wear one and get away with it - who will know?

I know I've seen combination jumper/blouses over here. They give me the willies in the same way.

I will never wear a fake turtle neck !! Would rather have a fake bag!!

Oh yes, the jumpers with fake collars and cuffs attached are a horror!

h agrees re silicon valley. And never jeans. They are obv A Step Too Far

Regarding conservative business attire in the US: when I first moved here (9 years ago, so pre-credit crunch) I was taken aback by the men they'd get on Breakfast to talk about the financial news. (You know, those City analysts who talk about what's going on with interest rates, etc.) They looked so... rakish. Their suits seemed garishly pinstriped and fitted too closely in the waist, and their ties were fuschia. Things may be different, now, but American financial execs are expected to look very conservative, and this would extend to anyone working in banking, accounting, and corporate law. Suits were boxy and either grey or blue. A bit of herringbone tweed or a very subtle pinstripe was OK.

The image to project was staid and perhaps a bit "old money." As in, "I've been acquainted with large sums of money for my entire life and I would never do anything reckless with it."

Dylis - I had a German teacher like that! Awesome collection of tights she had. Must dig out my stripy purple opaques ...

I find this sort of stuff absolutely fascinating, even though I've more chance of going to the moon than working in corporate NY.
I don't understand the annoyance people are expressing. Its just a cultural thing, we have our quirks too.

Chinos with New Balance trainers, check shirt and white t-shirt underneath is my idea of standard leisure wear for American men.

To combine my two previous posts about my first impressions watching the news upon moving over here:

I'd spend my morning exclaiming, "What is wrong with that woman's hair? Doesn't she own a comb? What the fuck is she wearing? Did she go drinking last night and crawl into work in whatever she passed out in? Who is that strange-looking fellow in the purple tie? Are you sure he's not a gigolo?"

I've gotten used to it. LOL

Yes. Lovely Sophie Raworth wouldn't have made it over the doorstep of News Anchor School in America.

In the South, it's not trainers, but boat shoes.

Slight derail: the oddest thing to me about the morning news programs in the UK is how they go over the headlines in the morning papers.

This thread is amazing. I don't and never will work in a corporate environment, but I feel like I need to go and see it for myself. And also, have no idea what big 4 is... And forgot about coloured opaques. Must remember for next winter!

Those boat shoes (and New Balance trainers too come to think of it) can be seen adorning the hippest of hipster feet these days!

Fabulassie as far as i am aware, bankers in the City were always regarded as flash harries (sp?) whereas Lawyers were traditional

different cultures innit

This is kind of hilarious but also a bit concerning on a feminist level that women are expected to spend so much time and money on 'grooming' which presumably men aren't. I would love to run amok in one of these offices, with my leg hairs poking out of my multicoloured patterned tights

Glad I stumbled on this thread - mainly because of ElizabethHoover's 'you sound like a tit' comment and learning all about stateside dress code - not that I'll ever need it.

The UK and the USA may speak the same language but we really are poles apart in many ways.

I worked in the US and agree with every thing super mum has said, and I'm amazed that people are having a go at her about her experience of working in NYC.

The OP is asking for advice about what to wear and how groomed she has to be not to stick out like a sore thumb when she's working in corporate environment in the US and she's been advised to wear boring conservative clothes, and to up her grooming. All these things I'd agree with.

Also, some posters who are actually in the US, working in a corporate environment have suggested that she up her jewellery and accessories and somehow this has got everyone up in arms.

Life isn't the same the world over, and thankfully it's not all like what it's like in the UK, where in my opinion shabby is somehow equated with worthy and clever.

I've worked all over, west and east, and I have to say an investment watch and real pearls / diamonds have always gone down well.

We are monkeys who wear shoes. Of course we look and judge, and if that means we are discriminatory and superficial in a work environment, well so be it, as time is short. Suit up and show up, and for women remove body hair, groom brows, upper lip and sideburns, and have a regular neat manicure.

OP if you want to play up your european perspective, wear a Hermes scarf, and drink tea.

Aren't we just talking about corporate USA dress codes though? I've been to New York a few times and am always suprised at how casually (and to be frank, unstylishly though just my opinion, obvs) most people dress.

turkey the dress code of that lawyer's conference must have been Business Casual. Yes, everybody wears pretty much of an uniform then as well.

Yes but isn't it always good to question social norms and the meaning behind them? The dress codes described seem to suggest that people are valued according to their wealth and women are expected to be decorative.

It's not unheard of, in the financial sector, to value people according to their wealth