What the Well Dressed Programmer is Wearing

In the tech sector, dressing up for work is often looked down upon; tech giants like Sam Altman and Mark Zuckerberg are notorious for consistently sporting shorts and hoodies wherever they go. Dressing like a teenage delinquent has become the norm in tech, and I think it is time shake it up a bit. I know I sound like your mother, but hear me out…

Consider the great Winston Churchill. Although the British Bulldog was not blessed with a beautiful visage, he always made a point to dress well, even while defending the free world from the threat of Nazism. If Winston can suit up in a three piece suit everyday, you can change out of your Deadpool PJs.

Also, don’t underestimate the effect that your outfit has on your mindset. When I put on my work clothes, my brain automatically shifts into “work mode” I feel focused, and ready to start the day. Similarly, I start to relax when I come home and exchange my work vestments for sweat pants and my hole-riddled Mott the Hoople t-shirt.

Implementation

I hope I have made my case for dressing well, now it is time to get down to the nuts and bolts of how to look good. Since I am a man, I will be focusing on men’s fashion in this post; ladies, feel free to read on so you can shop for your significant other so that they don’t get ready for work by putting on Adidas sweat pants and strapping on a Bob Ross t-shirt.

The Basics

Let’s talk about personal hygiene. The workplace, even if it is a startup filled to the brim with geeks, is not a place for BO. Shower. Just do it.

If you are feeling adventurous, put on some deodorant; I can smell you from here. If you are feeling extra fancy, splash on some cologne. In the past, when I was young and foolish, I believed that smelling good was something only girls did. I was convinced by Tom Ford’s excellent Three Rules of Fragrance ; check it out.

As I close out this section, please remember; if you smell repugnant, your coworkers, your boss and investors will be repulsed, no matter what you are wearing.

Business Casual

You will stick out like a sore thumb if you show up to your tech job dressed in a three piece suit. Therefore, it is important that dress in such a way that makes you stand out, without looking overly pretentious.

Here a few ideas:

Closing Remarks

I have leafed through enough fashion sites to last me a lifetime, so it is time to close out today’s post.

I’ll leave you with two pieces of advice.

1. Don’t break the bank to look good. In Canada, Mark’s is a great place to find relatively cheap business casual outfits. Thrift stores are also great.
2. My second piece of advice is once again directed specifically at men; listen to your significant other. Your wife probably knows more about how to dress well than you do. When she says to take off that “Code, Sleep, Repeat.” shirt before going to meet a client, do what she says.

Pip pip,

Gabe