Business Suits Vs. Business Casual

[DFW HOYA]

Mark Cuban's blog on wearing suits--he's against them.

www.blogmaverick.com/2007/01/16/why-i-dont-wear-a-suit-and-cant-figure-out-why-anyone-does/#c1215800

So how many people wear suits (or would want to) anymore? I think it's a generational thing--I still see 1960's alumni showing up to basketball games in a coat and tie, something 80's alumni would never conceive of, much less Generations Burton or Hibbert.

I haven't worn a suit to work since 1994--outside of weddings, funerals and Georgetown alumni meetings, they're off the list.

[Deleted]

I kind of like the look the fans have in old NBA films (usually Celtics games) where guys are in suits and hats at games. Let's be clear - unless I was coming from a formal event, I'd never dream of wearing a suit to a sporting event...

... but I'm all for increasing the formality in corporate America. Business casual is fine for Fridays, but I think its gotten to be a bit much. Its at the point where my wardrobe for work is the same as it is for going out half the time (the half when I'm not in jeans and a t-shirt, throwing back Long Trails by the dozen). I found the same to be true with most of my friends/colleagues/peers.

Also, we can't go with Generation Hibbert yet, can we? Burton was chosen for defining an era with a singular moment... has Roy done that yet?

[williambraskyiii]

buffalohoya said:

Also, we can't go with Generation Hibbert yet, can we? Burton was chosen for defining an era with a singular moment... has Roy done that yet?

I agree with your sentiments generally buffalo on dresswear.

as for a defining moment, i think that Big Roy's spin move and finger roll lay-in from the top of the key in the Ohio St. game was a defining moment in my eyes and something that signified that the Big Man is Back at Big Man U.

but overall, i don't know if the Experience is worthy of a Generation yet.

[TrueHoyaBlue]

I wear a suit to work 2-3 days a week, but I'd never be caught dead in one at a game.

[HealyHoya]

Not worthy of a generation yet...but what about the last second dunk to beat ND his freshman year? I don't think it was "generational" quality but wouldn't that be his single best play (shot, swat, etc.) so far?

The thing about business casual is that it sets the minumum level of dress, it doesn't proscribe a maximum. I wouldn't advocate working in a tux but I'll sport the suit at work Monday-Thursday even in my business casual office.

This seems like a topic CasualHoya should have something to say about...casually...

[SoCalHoya]

Are we supposed to be surprised that Mark Cuban is against wearing suits?

Next you are going to tell me Bob Knight and Rick Majerus are against wearing suits!

[TBird41]

socalhoya said:

Are we supposed to be surprised that Mark Cuban is against wearing suits?

Next you are going to tell me Bob Knight and Rick Majerus are against wearing suits!

From what I hear, Mike Brey is against ties. He prefers a more casual look.

[tgo]

it isnt just generational but regional as well. walk the streets at lunch time in nyc or dc and chicago too i think but feel free to tell me i am wrong on that one, and you see an overwhelming number of suits, in Los Angeles you barely see any.

[Gold Hoya]

If you let me lose the tie, I'll wear a suit any day. Of course, I'm back to being a consultant so my slick client-site wardrobe usually includes a sportcoat.

[Oh My!]

tgo said:

it isnt just generational but regional as well. walk the streets at lunch time in nyc or dc and chicago too i think but feel free to tell me i am wrong on that one, and you see an overwhelming number of suits, in Los Angeles you barely see any.

tgo is right---same can be said for other mid- or south-western cities, like Phoenix, Denver, Dallas.

I, myself, make every effort to find jobs where casual is acceptable. Once when I worked in a starchy environment at GU, I was told that if I could make a solid argument for "summer casual", management would consider it----I won.

Also, my suits don't fit anymore---a product of my 30's, I guess.

[Nevada Hoya]

I'm a '60's alum and I wouldn't show up for a game with a suit and tie. I never wear a suit or tie to work - again regional and occupational considerations too (chemist in the lab). The only time I wear a suit and tie would be making a presentation at a national meeting (and at church, if I am a lector). I did wear a tux for the first time since my Georgetown days last year at the John Carroll Award banquet, but everybody at the affair did so too.

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

General rule: If Mark Cuban is against it, I'm for it.

A well tailored suit commands respect from all of those around you. Provided its worn in the proper setting. I wouldn't wear a bespoke suit to a game or even to most work situations, but if you are in an office setting I think a suit is almost always appropriate.

[hoyatables]

This one is debated day in and out among young lawyers. I think that business casual can work in a firm, so long as the clothes are still appropriate. Where biz cas falls off is when people wear their wrinkled khakis and Gap sweaters. You still should wear high quality dress shirts/sports jackets/slacks and sweaters. It shouldn't be something you'd wear out to a bar, dance club, or to run errands on Saturday.

Of course, there are many occassions where suit is required -- certainly any court or administrative hearing, as well as any meeting with a government agency or opposing counsel/party when you are formally representing your client. In most cases I prefer to wear a suit for any meeting with clients, but if its a "working" meeting I'll go bizcas, especially if it follows a late night or long day.

I do think jeans are totally acceptable on fridays so long as you're staying in the office and not working, particularly if you're not working a full day or heading out of town.

As for a Hoyas game, I think that if you're not wearing a WAG shirt you shouldn't be allowed to attend, but that's just me.

[HealyHoya]

stpetersburghoya said:

I wouldn't wear a bespoke suit to a game

bespoke...well done.

[DFW HOYA]

stpetersburghoya said:

If you are in an office setting I think a suit is almost always appropriate.

In our downtown offices, anyone who wears a suit is probably at a job interview during the lunch hour. Then again, our customers don't wear suits very much, either.

FWIW, I don't work for a law firm. When my safety school (Baylor) was the first rejection letter, that law career went right out the D401 Village A window.

[RBHoya]

dfw said:

FWIW, I don't work for a law firm. When my safety school (Baylor) was the first rejection letter, that law career went right out the D401 Village A window.

Wow, did EVERYONE from Hoyatalk live in that apartment?

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

hoyatables said:

I do think jeans are totally acceptable on fridays so long as you're staying in the office and not working, particularly if you're not working a full day or heading out of town.

That would be the notable exception to what I said.

UNLESS

You are leaving early to play 9 or 18 where, of course, jeans won't do. Bad form however is wearing spikeless golf shoes around the office until your leave work. Its bad for the golf shoes and it looks really tacky. One of the partners in the lobbying group that I worked for did this every Friday - it was a little annoying.

[HoyaInsomniac]

Working with two-year-olds all day rules out not only suits or business casual but also any clothing I really care about at all. And no one I know (short of coming straight from work) comes to games all dressed up. I think it has become a generational thing, but, guys, FWIW, you look so good all dressed up in suits. It makes you look sharper and what you say will get taken much more seriously than if you show up looking like you don't care.

[Cambridge]

Suits for the office. Business casual always looks ridiculous.

[Coast2CoastHoya]

My office has adopted the "business casual plus a tie" hybrid, whereby we're supposed to do the long sleeved button down thing (short sleeves and ties should be banned forever), but can wear slacks, khakis, or chords, and we're supposed to wear ties but few people do. I wear one because I'm the new guy. I usually go in pretty nice clothes, but sometimes rock the chords and hiking boots on Fridays. For briefings and meetings with the higher-ups, I sometimes wear a jacket.

Wearing a suit at my office would be a big no-no; we're a federal land management agency with frequent visitors from remote areas of the US West (i.e. they frown on suits from DC - both the people and the outfit).

I agree with 'tables re: wearing WAG/Kurt shirts to the game. I always wear mine -- during the week, under a dress shirt (and usually a G'town tie) for that "Superman" look for which I have yet to be acknowledged by the master of the Jumbotron. No way would I wear a suit to a game except as a gag or if I didn't have time to change.