Dress code

[northernladuk]

MyCo policy is:

Week 1 Suit and tie
Weeks 2 to 103 Chanel No. 5 and a smile

Gonna be a bit cold with just that on surely?

[Old Greg]

Gonna be a bit cold with just that on surely?

Real contractors don't feel the cold.

[tractor]

In all my previous contracts, i've tended to wear what the hell i like (jeans, t-shirts, trainers).

In my latest (new) contract, it has been suggested that i should be wearing smart business attire like others (permies and contractors) at client co.

I don't really feel comfortable with being "told" what to wear, but this isn't a deal breaker. What i'm concerned about is how this looks from an IR35 POV.

Could this be classed as direction and control? Just wondering what other people's thoughts are on this?

Not in anyone's book!

Smarten up and look professional.

WWS

Rule #3 of Contracting:

Contractors are always better dressed than permies.

A myth

I think you shouldn't have given them chance to tell this. After seeing how others dressed around, you should have changed accordingly...

WD_TS

I worked at certain large phone company which has a full dress down policy, or even a lack of a policy right up the chain. I mean it wasn't even decent. Summer tops with no bra's was manageable but trying to have a meeting with a young lad presenting dressed like a goth with his jeans halfway down his legs was taking it a bit too far. Always stayed in trousers and open next shirt despite being called 'the suit'. It seemed it didn't matter if you dressed up or right down so stayed in what I was comfortable in.

Next = a bit tacky for a contractor sheesh!

I always wear an earring and also have a small hoop in my eyebrow. Never caused me a problem, except at an interview for a consultancy co working at DWP. The bird interviewing me said as I got up to leave that the eyebrow piercing was 'cute and everything' but I'd have to take it out before attending their client site. Ended up telling them to stick the role for other (rate related) reasons. Other than that, it's never been a problem. So, put your tie on and put a big f*** off gold earing in for your meeting

Are you sure a Prince Albert is appropriate with ANY dress code?

[SussexSeagull]

Personally I dress like everyone else I am working with. The whole 'dress smarter than the permies' thing is a bit dated in the era of New Media companies in jeans and trainers where wearing a suit and tie would make you stick out.

[MB1983]

Personally I dress like everyone else I am working with.

Same here. I've recently been working a lot in e-commerce and in the three companies I've been in there is no dress code… which is fine by me as I prefer casual clothes to a stuffy suit. But even if I did prefer to wear a suit, I'd probably decide against it when even the CEO wears jeans and a casual shirt!

It all depends on the environment you're working in I guess. If it's highly corporate and everyone is in a suit, wear a suit. If it's more laid back, maybe go casual/business-casual.

[northernladuk]

Personally I dress like everyone else I am working with.

What if the office is full of women? Do you prefer knee length or something a bit racier?

[SueEllen]

What if the office is full of women? Do you prefer knee length or something a bit racier?

Please don't come out and say your name is Kellie.

[northernladyuk]

Please don't come out and say your name is Kellie.

Getting warmer.

[Purple]

I like to wear a full on 80's power suit with shoulder pads so huge that I have to turn sideways to get though doors (even double doors). I find that this helps me to be taken seriously whilst also standing out from the crowd.

[Quagmire]

I was under the impression, that one of the thing that sets apart devs that are contractors from permie counterparts was lower level of social phobias and ability to wear something else than flannels.