My D16 just left to start a new adventure in grad school. It’s a professional program (architecture) at an arts school. While i’m smiling at her departure pix with her partner; they have sort of an old “hippie” vibe. And it’s starting me thinking about what kids look like as they start their careers.
When kids go to get professional jobs, is there a standard look? Does it go by the profession? Are businesses accepting of youth with slightly alternate looks than the average 40 yr old? Is their vibe a potential hindrance?
I appreciate that there’s not much judgement in the early 20s culture with how people look. The colorful hair, piercings, long hair and beards on guys, the tatts, the au-natural look, and body-shaming-is-out-so-whatever- clothes-a-person-wants-to-wear-is-in look.
but how does this translate to work environments? Can they continue that look? What have you and your kids seen?
I’m guessing it really depends on the location. I can only answer for the PNW based on D and SIL in their 30’s in architecture. Casual, all black, or neutral. Clean and neat.
Just a guess, but east coast /NYC different vibe?
My D works in consulting and the attire is not as conservative as I would have thought. Tattoos, piercings, and bright hair doesn’t seem to be an issue so long as they are well put together and neatly dressed.
If they are going to get an MArch at an art school, I assume they will be drawn toward firms where their look fits … or they will alter their look to fit. I worked at a school like this, and our grads had no issues figuring it all out.
My son is a software engineer and works from home. His attire is the shorts and t-shirt he slept in the night before. My father, who wore a suit every day to work, would not be able to comprehend this!
My S works for the fed govt as an electrical engineer/project Mgr. Most of the time he wears long sleeved dress shirts, sometimes with a tie and dark slacks. Sometimes he wears a polo shirt with dark slacks. Every once in awhile he wears a suit.
Probably depends on the job, and if there’s a difference between office work and being out in the field. Office attire has been evolving for decades.
My kid’s other parent has been wearing jeans or cargo pants and rock concert T-shirts to work for 30 years now - although it’s been remote for the past 1.5 years, so the slide to lounge wear is real. This is in engineering/tech, though. And the position is a senior one. Many of the other employees at the same firm wear more standard button-down shirts and slacks, or a nicely-cut top with a skirt. Some sports jackets and ties, depending on the department.
The best advice is to dress with your future in mind - if you’re a serious employee and team player, your attire can balance between the idea of your own personal style and the office environment. What I’ve worn to work was radically different than what I used to hit the clubs in.
Unless you own the company, paying attention to the office culture and dressing to have your personal opinion respected is the way to go.
S is a software engineer and wears the standard Silicon Valley uniform of shorts and casual shirts. Look a little closer and you’ll note: Armani, Rag and Bone, Todd Snyder, etc
Our RN daughter was told day one to not wear scrubs on the street. She keeps a lab coat at work and dresses in what I would describe as retro-Seattle grunge. Other two kids have been WFH for over a year. Son will need to go into the office soon and I need to have a “mom talk” about his wardrobe.
Very much depends on the profession, the specific job and employer, and the region.
However, it is likely that women are judged more on appearance on clothing choices than men are, even in business situations where it is not supposed to matter.
One daughter just started grad school and likes dresses, mostly from the thrift store. The first day she called and told me it was hard and confusing, but she looked really good! She also works at Starbucks so there it is jeans and one of the approved t-shirts. Her hair is way too long, and she likes painted nails but Starbucks doesn’t allow them. Nine million tattoos are okay, but no fake nails or ‘unnatural’ colors.
Other is an engineer and does have to go into the office. For her it is lululemon pants and some kind of top or a t-shirt style dress. She sometimes goes on site visits and then it is jeans and sturdy shoes. She wears two tiny hoop earrings, a bar necklace and usually has her hair pulled back into a pony or bun. She looks like she’s 12, so tries to dress a little ‘older.’
I’m not surprised about Starbucks ban on nail polish and fake nails. Many food service positions have this prohibition. They don’t want any chance of contamination should the polish chip or a fake nail fall off.
