Southern Cal Dude Posted June 24, 2013 Posted June 24, 2013 I was curious to see the difference between going to the mall in a dress shirt and slacks and how I was treated by both genders, especially females. While wearing nice clothes, I experienced the following: -Guy asking me where the bathroom was -Guy asking me if I worked there -Girl at CVS asking me if I needed help(as I was approaching the checkout line) -Cashier apologizing for the long wait(wasn't even that long and I certainly wasn't offended) This was all within about an hour, hour and a half. That also doesn't include the frequent glances. Not that I get no attention is casual clothing, but I was pretty surprised in the difference between the two.
MissBee Posted June 24, 2013 Posted June 24, 2013 It's just like when you dress nicely to the airport, you have a better chance of being asked if you want a first class upgrade than if you're more casually dressed. People simply assume you are important or more distinguished if you dress the part. 2
Author Southern Cal Dude Posted June 24, 2013 Author Posted June 24, 2013 It's just like when you dress nicely to the airport, you have a better chance of being asked if you want a first class upgrade than if you're more casually dressed. People simply assume you are important or more distinguished if you dress the part. Fair enough. I was just curious to see the difference.
hppr Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 I've done lots of experimentation like that. If you are a guy and you want to figure out what looks 'works' for you and what doesn't you pretty much have to do this at one time or another. People treat you better if you are in expensive clothes vs. cheap ones mainly because you stand out from the crowd, not to mention they think you are important/wealthy. Cologne is another one. When you wear a nice cologne women will compliment you on it. The t shirt and jeans can get looks if you have a nice physique and everything fits. If the jeans are baggy, shirt too bag, or you are a twig/fatbody it won't work (twig/fatbody can get by in expensive clothes though). Nice shoes help in every case (I wear docs and redwings/timberland or other boat-style shoes during summertime). Also experimented with the 'acting like a jerk' vs. 'acting nice' and found that the best thing for me was to be kind of jerky but polite, have a smirk on my face etc. Some guys may find looking mad as hell works, others may find whistling and skipping works for them. Obviously some guys can do well no matter what they are wearing or where they are. But if you are on this forum I doubt you are one of them, at least not in real life. For the rest of us the above will really help. BTW I bet the above rings true for women as well.
hppr Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 It's just like when you dress nicely to the airport, you have a better chance of being asked if you want a first class upgrade than if you're more casually dressed. People simply assume you are important or more distinguished if you dress the part. Last time I dressed nice they pulled me out of line for a cavity search. I guess that's what passes for a 1st class upgrade these days? 1
Author Southern Cal Dude Posted June 25, 2013 Author Posted June 25, 2013 Obviously some guys can do well no matter what they are wearing or where they are. But if you are on this forum I doubt you are one of them, at least not in real life. For the rest of us the above will really help. I'm a part time model. I get attention even in casual clothes, but more so in nice clothes.
Ripnet Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 Too bad because the richest man in the world Bill Gates doesn't really dress up. I think it has to do with money than anything else especially with people in stores. I used to be a cashier and I treated everyone the same no matter how they dressed or how much they bought.
SoleMate Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 My bf is usually pretty schlumpy/"comfortable".....loose fitting, unironed casual shirt, cargo shorts and flip flops. Sometimes his clothes have noticeable stains. :-( Every now and then he puts on a "dress" shirt, pants, and shoes (no tie) and has remarked several times, that people treat him so differently and with so much more respect and courtesy at those times. He knows the difference but it still isn't enough to get him to put on a clean shirt.
Got it Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 It's just like when you dress nicely to the airport, you have a better chance of being asked if you want a first class upgrade than if you're more casually dressed. People simply assume you are important or more distinguished if you dress the part. Not to go off topic but really where? And what airline!?! I travel all the time and my experience upgrades go to those in rewards programs and your status. Most airlines have upgrades list going from the moment of check in 24 hours in advance so those of us in the rewards programs know where we stand and so you can track how many seats are in that section, how many are booked, checked in and open. So while I can't say that it never happens I don't think it happens much at all now a days. It is all pretty much down to what have you done for the airlines lately and the technology makes it pretty transparent.
Got it Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 But on topic! I can see that happening, men just look better in a dress shirt and slacks, and my favorite, the sleeves slightly cuffed. Yum!
fortyninethousand322 Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 I hate how I look dressed up. Jeans and a t-shirt are the best look for me. Clean clothes though, I'm not wearing anything ripped or with a stain on it...unless it's to the gym or to play basketball or something where how I look is meaningless...
EasyHeart Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 Women are much more conscious of clothing and 'style' than men. Men tend to look at women and imagine what they look like nekkid; women care about the package. (No, not that package. Don't be a pervert). When I go shopping on the weekend in jeans and a hoodie, women generally avoid eye contact and clutch their purses more tightly whenever I walk by. But if I stop at the store after work in my suit, they might as well put me in the butcher case because women look at me like I'm a piece of meat. At least try not to drool, ladies!!!
TouchedByViolet Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 I like to wear baggy clothing and open carry my handgun. People just move out the way and nobody talks to me. Love it. jk
Author Southern Cal Dude Posted June 25, 2013 Author Posted June 25, 2013 I hate how I look dressed up. Jeans and a t-shirt are the best look for me. Clean clothes though, I'm not wearing anything ripped or with a stain on it...unless it's to the gym or to play basketball or something where how I look is meaningless... I sure don't dress in business casual to play pickup ball.
KungFuJoe Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 What matters most is knowing how to dress for the occasion. I'm not wearing a suit to the grocery store just like I'm not wearing shorts to a wedding.
MrCastle Posted June 26, 2013 Posted June 26, 2013 It's about how clothes fit and not necessarily what you're wearing. I'm a huge GQ nerd so I definitely dress up when the occasion calls for it, and the mall for me is definitely not one of those occasions. I wear a plain white, black, or grey t-shirt, with jeans and boots almost every day of my life. But I wear them to fit my body, no bagginess, but not skin tight. The way clothes are supposed to fit, and I do just fine.
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