Hoodies, suits and uniforms
Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 2:59AM Mark Zuckerberg's hoodie has created quite a stir over the past week. The fact that he wore it during a very important presentation has caused some to criticise him and other to explain that this makes him look more mature. It is a fascinating clash of cultures; a bunch of high-powered suits who probably all look the same needing the judgements and thoughts of a young guy in a hoodie.
Let's face it, we are all prejudice when it comes to clothing. If I go into a shop in a suit, the difference in how I am treated compared to visiting the same shop at the weekend in a pair of jeans, trainers and a scruffy shirt is stark. We all judge strangers by their clothes; how much money they have, what job they do and where they live. It is natural and can be a visible indicator of who the person really is.
So why do so many companies want their employees to dispense with their personal images and to all wear the same clothing? I have been in countless meetings where everyone is wearing suits. I tend to find myself looking at the cut and quality of the suits to spot differences and I don't know why. No matter what suits we are all wearing, we still all conform to some random dress code that exists for no good reason.
That was then and I haven't worn a suit for 18 months. I never wear a tie these days and neither do most work colleagues I know. Time has moved on and people are slowly starting to realise that individual clothing is a sign of strength rather than unprofessionalism. A large group of people wearing the exact same clothing suggests a collective that all think similarly. Like the Borg, but even more frightening. A group of people who don't think for themselves, but who all have the same goals as their employer, the mother ship. "You shall wear a suit, tie, red braces and good quality shoes. Customers expect that of you."
It's all nonsense of course and Zuckerberg can wear whatever he likes because he doesn't need to conform. Steve Jobs wore what he liked and most employees in the computer industry wear what they like. It is the person that counts and not their outward appearance. We all have different faces, different hair and builds so why all wear the same clothes? When you really think about it, none of it makes sense at all.
I have always believed that employees should be able to wear what they like and have long fought for that against colleagues who felt otherwise with the teams they managed. If a customer does not like what I wear and pre-judges me, that is their problem. Not mine.
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Reader Comments (4)
I tend to consider what I need for the circumstances, and wear that. Sometimes, that's a suit, other times, it's definitely not a suit. It's all part of the game for persuading and influencing, really.
I'm at an airport at the moment and, from experience, one is treated far better if one looks smart - hence travelling looking reasonably smart, as I want an easy experience. The "cost" of dressing smartly, when, by preference, I might just wear a t-shirt and jeans, is less than the benefit.
Never judge a book by its cover. Yet many do.
If I want to buy something expensive I always go in track suit , t-shirt and trainers ie not smart and scruffy. Staff don't want to help and are reluctant to show you or chat to you. This means I can look at what I want without being pestered. Then I'll engage a member of staff. And then I'll ask for a discount, which I normally get since they probably think I can't afford the item.
I sometimes might go shopping being smart casual, because I want to be sold to, to have the shop assistants trying to flog me stuff. Depends on what I want to do or buy.
I love it when you get totally ignored by shop assistants, except one, and then the workers who ignored you look shocked and gutted when they see you're buying lots of stuff. That's their commission lost.
Being scruffy, and being ignored is normal, but witnessing the sudden, "shit" this guy means business change across their body language is fun too.
Nothing wrong with what Mark Z did. Actually clever, because it throws people off guard thinking he can't be serious, when in fact he not only is, but Mark Z is dangerously smart.
I like your hobby Gavin, it sounds devilishly entertaining. I admit that I generally dress how I want... but there are moments I know things will just be easier if I dress in a certain way. I teach in a private school, a shirt and tie are mandatory, as they are for the boys during winter. It's kinda sux because in the past I was far more comfortable teaching wearing what I wanted and I was more ready to get my clothes dirty since they were easier to clean. But apparently when people send their kids to a private school, they think when the teacher is wearing a tie it makes them a better teacher... how sad!
I work in IT and would be put off working for a company that required the wearing of a suit. Development is a very creative process (if you're any good at least) and I think suits and uniforms stifle creativity and individuality.
Gavin what I find funniest is when shop assistants power-dress and act as though they're 'The Big I Am'. Sometimes I feel like saying to them "Dude; you're a goddamn shop assistant!"
There's nothing wrong with being a shop assistant but I don't like anyone thinking they're better than me. I never dress scruffily, even when wearing jeans, but that's because I don't like lookng scruffy.