No Debt MBA

I really haven't noticed this where I work but we don't really have too much of an 'assistant' level position. It's pretty much managers and worker bees. Until very recently, we were required to wear shirts and ties (the guys) and women had to dress in pantsuits or the like. They've relaxed the dress code just over the last few days so it'll be interesting to see how things change, if at all.

i work for a government agency and we have a very relaxed dress code. what i have noticed is that the upper level management people still come to work mostly in casual/professional attire whereas the rest of us tend to wear jeans every day. the only reason i can think of is that we are required to "dress up" if we have meetings and the upper level management has a lot of meetings.

Money Beagle - Not having to wear a tie every day sounds like a nice improvement

jana - That's more what I would expect a workplace to look like. Upper management normally dresses more formally than the rest in my experience which is why I find the reverse happening to be interesting. PS - I hate meetings, especially when I have to dress up

Someone I know in private equity jokes about the female interns that come work for them occasionally. He said, "you'd think they make more than the managers." They don't. ;)

I think that dressing better than the boss happens, no doubt. The bigger issue is fitting into the culture of the workplace at which one is employed. If someone outdresses most people there, it might stand out in a good way or a bad way if it rubs people the wrong way. Best to fit in yet dress on the higher end of the normal range, rather than be an outlier anyway.

Really, performance and people skills are better differentiators. A great performer who his managers like, but dresses average, will advance more than his/her colleague who's an average performer with average people skills but is sharply dressed.

Our dress code is business casual. People play that out differently. We do have casual Fridays once a month where people can wear jeans. I must admit I prefer to dress up so I am ready for whatever comes my way in a day. I would hate to look scrubby for an important meeting.

I think it depends on the day. For instance, my husband wears a suit to work if he has a client meeting. If he is hanging out in the office, he will dress more casual. I think in many companies, assistants are usual the 'first line' that people come across, and they want to make a good impression (or maybe have been told they have to make a good impression).

I work part time from home right now, but if I go into the office, it is jeans everywhere. The world has really changed because this used to be a skirt/suit company with heels.

JT - That sounds like what I'm seeing. My question is if supervisors think less or more of these interns?

Squirrelers - Think you're absolutely right. I'm glad performance counts for more than dress because if it were the reverse I don't know if I'd make it with my distaste for shopping...

Miss T - Can you handle all of my meetings? ;) That's a great attitude.

Everyday Tips - Great point on the "first line". Hadn't thought of it, but it makes perfect sense.

NDM - I've often wondered the same. I tend to notice and remember what people wear, and see that even in a business casual environment, some people who can least afford to seem to have a great many clothes to wear. I spend very little on clothes, through a combination of good expensive and long-lasting pieces, and casual inexpensive polo shirts and slacks. But as Everyday Tips said, some assistants or receptions *have to* look nice and presentable as they represent the company on a first-line impression.

101 Centavos - My wardrobe is in desperate need of a refresh due to attrition. I hate shopping so I think investing in quality might be worth it here. I hope you don't work at my office since my current rotation of work clothes is a little slim ;)

I try to dress similarly to my boss and I also dress up at the beginning of class and the end of class. In psychology we learned people remember the first and last impression the best so I use that to my advantage. It seems to me that dressing similarly to my boss makes then more "pleased" with me, perhaps because they are subconsciously associating me with themselves. I do think you should not dress to much better than your boss because it is obvious and then the boss may not like you as much, being subtle is much better.

I work in a technology company, so you don't see too many suits even amongst the managers. It would look funny if someone did show up to work in a suit. That said, the secretaries are usually better dressed than their peers; I have definitely noticed that!

Frugal Student - Great points. Subtle, but similar is definitely a smart approach for the work place. I'll also have to make sure to dress well my first could weeks of classes as I meet everyone, good advice!

Invest it Wisely - The engineering roles I've been in were the best, jeans everyday? Yes, please! Suits were worn by senior management most days, but overall the companywas very casual.

Are the assistants single? Perhaps it has far more to do with attracting a mate than the state of their career. Since you noticed what they wear, I think there strategy is paying off!

Super Frugalette - Good point! I think many of them are single. I'm off the market and our office isn't the best place to be on the hunt, but I wish them the best of luck and hopefully their nice attire helps them at a happy hour!