Never Be a Programmer in a Suit(thecodist.com)
thecodist.com
Never Be a Programmer in a Suit
http://thecodist.com/article/never_be_a_programmer_in_a_suit
10 comments
> "The idea behind the "suit" is to enforce sameness; everyone looks stupid but splendid and so no one will stand out. "
So... if everyone is wearing jeans and a sweater (like in my office currently) you'll stand out with a suit?
So... if everyone is wearing jeans and a sweater (like in my office currently) you'll stand out with a suit?
[deleted]
Never be a programmer in a suit (because you will be discriminated against by other programmers).
> I've always said that if a computer would work better if I was splendidly dressed then I would go Armani.
Nope! If computers worked better when the programmers were splendidly dressed, that would make splendid dressing an effective tool.
Alas, programmers, by and large, don't like those; they prefer working with crude tools, or none at all.
They would say, things like, "Real programmers can proudly make it work without the cop-out of just putting on that Armani. Debugging with Armani is no more effective than a well-placed printf if you know what you're doing."
Nope! If computers worked better when the programmers were splendidly dressed, that would make splendid dressing an effective tool.
Alas, programmers, by and large, don't like those; they prefer working with crude tools, or none at all.
They would say, things like, "Real programmers can proudly make it work without the cop-out of just putting on that Armani. Debugging with Armani is no more effective than a well-placed printf if you know what you're doing."
I think the guy just doesn't like suits. I don't wear a suit in Australia because it gets too hot, but in winter I love wearing them. You look sharp and feel good for it. I guess not everyones the same.
Unless you're young and have a slim build it's very difficult to look sharp in a full suit. It'll have to be carefully tailored (especially if off-the-rack), and the moment you gain or lose a few pounds it can look bad again. As with all things style you can more than compensate with attitude, but an outgoing, forward, and attention-grabbing personality isn't something programmers are known for. So it's a very expensive proposition.
Baggy pants and a baggy t-shirt look horrible but you won't stand out in a room of programmers. A poor fitting suit will stand-out in the worst possible way--it'll look horrible aesthetically and reflect either neediness, incompetence, naivety, or some combination thereof.
If I had the money I'd wear a tailored suit every day. Not because I want to look flashy, but because I know dressing well matters[1], and because I'd love to be one of those guys with a closet of nearly identical suit "uniforms" that would remove all choice from dressing in the morning. Plus I'd have to professionally launder everything, so much less laundry. You can do something similar with denims and a casual shirt, but for various reasons that can be a trickier proposition, albeit much less costly.
[1] It's near impossible to come across poorly in a well-fitting, single-breasted, conservative suit. But fall short of well-fitting and you subject yourself to ruthless scrutiny.
[2] The conservative suit works well in almost any business-related environment--again, zero decision making required in the morning--whereas a Silicon Valley uniform would never fly in NYC, DC[3], a court room, etc, and IMO is more likely to come across as more pretentious than a suit in some environments, as denim+polo or similar attire can suggest bro culture, frat culture, etc.
[3] Yes, plenty of technical people in DC and even NYC adhere to a California business casual aesthetic, but the people with power or money almost universally look down on those people. In California that same kind of calculus is rarely so simplistic, but in any event on neither coast can you go wrong in a good, conservative suit.
Baggy pants and a baggy t-shirt look horrible but you won't stand out in a room of programmers. A poor fitting suit will stand-out in the worst possible way--it'll look horrible aesthetically and reflect either neediness, incompetence, naivety, or some combination thereof.
If I had the money I'd wear a tailored suit every day. Not because I want to look flashy, but because I know dressing well matters[1], and because I'd love to be one of those guys with a closet of nearly identical suit "uniforms" that would remove all choice from dressing in the morning. Plus I'd have to professionally launder everything, so much less laundry. You can do something similar with denims and a casual shirt, but for various reasons that can be a trickier proposition, albeit much less costly.
[1] It's near impossible to come across poorly in a well-fitting, single-breasted, conservative suit. But fall short of well-fitting and you subject yourself to ruthless scrutiny.
[2] The conservative suit works well in almost any business-related environment--again, zero decision making required in the morning--whereas a Silicon Valley uniform would never fly in NYC, DC[3], a court room, etc, and IMO is more likely to come across as more pretentious than a suit in some environments, as denim+polo or similar attire can suggest bro culture, frat culture, etc.
[3] Yes, plenty of technical people in DC and even NYC adhere to a California business casual aesthetic, but the people with power or money almost universally look down on those people. In California that same kind of calculus is rarely so simplistic, but in any event on neither coast can you go wrong in a good, conservative suit.
Tailors are abolsutely essential to looking really sharp. This is lesson #1. :)
Uniform helps most of people, there is something magical behind it. It puts your mind in to productive state.
Just a branded t-shirt for audio guy will make him behave and feel more professional.
If someone (regardless of their avocation) wears their clothes well, I treat them with more respect than someone who looks like they have a sink full of dishes at home. It's an indicator that a person has their act together. Not at all foolproof but important when first impressions matter. BTW, the "suit" in SV is just a polo or a logo shirt and Bonobos.
I don't like being forced to wear formal attire every day, but this guy has stronger feelings about it than I do.
You can be a good programmer in or out of a suit. I just did a Google image search for Vint Cerf, and didn't find any pictures of him in anything other than a suit.
You can be a good programmer in or out of a suit. I just did a Google image search for Vint Cerf, and didn't find any pictures of him in anything other than a suit.
Slacks & a sport coat. No need for the full suit. Even works with jeans and a sport coat.
Keep it simple and easy to change.
Keep it simple and easy to change.
Interesting article, but should be marked with a [2015] tag.
Not to mention that it should be marked with a red 50% off tag and hung on the discount rack.
However, a suit (or the lack of one) can affect how people think of you. Its always good to be aware of your choices and how they affect other's perceptions.
One other comment, as far as the suit thing goes, It can look very different, depending on what look you are trying to go for.Do you look like a famous actor between movies? A rockstar? A Houston oil mogul? English professor? Southern gentleman? Mafia hit man?
Personally, I like suits and some formal elements mixed in with casual stuff, too. But I'm also an artist, with blue eyes and long blonde hair and can pull off a movie star look. T-shirts and crappy jeans are ok, too, but I got tired of looking like a college student. Personally, I like looking good. And, to be totally honest, I get a lot of compliments and I like the additional attention from women.
Also, sometimes it's appropriate to go for sameness. Suits are goid at formal events. Weddings and funerals, for example.