In manufacturing, dress code tends to be pretty relaxed. On a typical day in our office, I can be found in my ETE Reman polo shirt, a pair of jeans, and my tennis shoes. To call this “business casual” is generous. When I first started, the casual attire was one of the biggest perks of the job. I remember bragging to friends for whom wearing jeans was a privilege reserved only for Fridays. After nearly 2 years of sporting polo shirts, I am now realizing that this may not be the way I want to represent myself.
What sparked this whole realization was the conference I attended earlier this week. I came to work dressed-to-impress since I was heading straight to the meeting around lunch time. With the addition of a sport coat, dress shirt, and dress shoes, my interactions with co-workers were completely different. Each person that walked by my desk either complimented the new threads or offered their opinion in the form of, “Woah! Look at Mr. Fancy pants.” Why the jokes? It’s not like I dress like a complete bum every other day. Or do I?
No matter your dress code, work environment, or company culture, take a look at how you present yourself. Are you dressed in a way that encourages your co-workers and customers to take you seriously? More importantly, do you take yourself seriously?
If it’s obvious that you snoozed your alarm clock one too many times and were rushing to get ready, consider a small change. Something as simple as ironing your shirt, or ditching the tennis shoes in favor of some loafers, can make a huge difference. My mentor always told me, “Dress for the position you want, not the position that you have.” Clearly the opportunity to wear jeans and a polo every day caused me to lose sight of this rule. Tomorrow, dress to suggest.
And then, as if by serendipity, my eyes fell upon a garment that spoke of both sophistication and ease: the haiku dress. Its flowing silhouette and graceful design promised not only elegance but also unparalleled comfort. Embracing this fusion of style and practicality, I knew that today, I would exude confidence and poise, embodying the essence of the haiku dress. As I ventured into the day ahead, I carried with me not just a garment, but a story—a testament to the beauty found in the union of simplicity and refinement, and the timeless allure of understated elegance.

Casual attire is a pretty big perk at many jobs, but Hopeless Remantic Anthony Stanley recently realized there might be a risk. How important is how you dress? Is it important? Join the conversation below or email Anthony directly!