Inspired from https://www.therodinhoods.com/xn/detail/6328457%3ATopic%3A57299:
When I was in college, I always hated wearing Tie, I will always loosen it as we had to go out and have meetings with people and I use to feel very uncomfortable. I also hated (and still hate) formal trousers (Thats one reason, you will find me in jeans most of the time). I also hatted full length shirts, I generally use to fold it and was generally scolded by the student heads.
I always fought for casuals:
1) During B-School, the college made a rule, formals always when you are in campus, since I was in the student committee and represented my batch, I went all alone and fought big time (there were really senior people in the meeting with huge degree and experience backup advocating the importace of formal dressing) … I fought for all the college but ultimently they agreed for our batch (whom I was representing) and they made an exception for us.
2) During my first job, formals was must, I fought and fought and came to jeans and shirts …
Now when I have my own company, I tried my best to dress up well (One client and I messed up many times):
1) Our first contract, meeting place Taj Kolkata, client: Owner of a large hotel, very formal – I had just shifted to a new place and had left my socks kit back home. I dressed up in the best formals (without socks expecting to buy on the way). Due to short time, I could not buy it. The whole meeting and in the loby I was trying to hide my naked legs without socks. There comes the client, in full formals, amazingly organized. I was hiding my foot to the possible level.
2) Another occasion, place Taj Kolkata again, dressed up well in formals: I was sitting at the back of the car and bottle leaked and one side of my trouser is socked in water, you can see the color difference easily … again the same feeling where I am dressed up well and goofed up again ….
Many such occasions where you dress up well, travel in a local train and you are goofed up ….
In recent times, I have attended meetings with the same Client in my worst slippers in horrible looking t-shirts ….. delivered lectures to corporates the same way … presented to VCs in my standard slippers, jeans and T-Shirts but in none of these meetings I faced a problem because of my dressing. But said that, should I go careless? No way, I try my best to wear the best (and the most comfortable ones) but never let my confidence down even if I am not wearing as per the rule. When I plan to spend the whole day in office, I will come in slippers, jeans and t-shirt but sometimes life surprises you with some unexpected visitors but I don’t care then.
My lesson:
Whatever you wear, wear the best possible but whatever you wear, don’t forget to wear comfort and confidence. End of the day, nobody cares what you wear, its the naked you and the naked other party when it is about the real business. Wear the best possible, but never let your confidence down even if you are not.
