The Daily Suit and Tie: outdated or essential?

I was watching Mad Men the other day and remembered back to the early 80s when I had a closet full of suits and ties and was expected to wear them every day.

Guys...do you still wear a suit and tie as your official agency uniform? If so, what's driving that? Client expectations? Dress codes? The feeling that you won't be taken seriously without the armor? Is it because people treat you better vs. an open collar?

I haven't worn a tie to an agency or client meeting in probably ten years, yet there are many of you with ties on in your profile photo. I find that fascinating from a cultural perspective. Is it East Coast vs. West Coast? Is it age-related? Are they coming back or going away?

Tags: dress code, mad men, suit, tie

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Permalink Reply by Buddy 'Friendly' Wachenheimer on August 8, 2007 at 11:30am

I always wear a suit, even at home. My closet looks like a trunk show at fashion week.

Let others zig, I'll zag, thanks. They're are always enough people on the path already, it does need my presence. I find that mindset and approach helps me in everything I do.

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Permalink Reply by Eugen Suman on August 8, 2007 at 2:22pm

I never saw a creative wearing a suit. Except maybe at someone's wedding or something.

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Permalink Reply by Cori Donohoe on August 9, 2007 at 12:44pm

I've actually worked at agencies where a creative getting dressed up in the slightest counted against you - like you weren't creative enough if you didn't wear an old pair of work boots or sneakers and whatever tragically hip t-shirt and jeans were currently in vogue for the anti-uniform set. Most of the time that was great, but that gets just as stifling in its own way.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Weaver on August 9, 2007 at 12:53pm

i'm just amazed at all the profile photos of dudes wearing suit and tie...no offense to any of them...but that strikes me as interesting. wondering what prompted them to choose a pic like that rather than more casual biz attire?

of course, i've been on the west coast now since 1999...that might skew my views a tad.