Should You Wear Your Expensive Pieces to Work?
The answers that you seek are, of course, a little complicated
I started working in Fashion in 2018 after two years in the financial industry. Every day for those first two years out of college, I wore slacks and a collared shirt with dress shoes. When I first started in the fall of 2016, I was required to wear a tie and lace-up dress shoes. Over the years the code loosened, and I could lose the tie and swap the derbies for loafers, but we were still required to adhere to a strict dress code. Once I landed in fashion, I felt the weight come off my shoulders. I could finally indulge in my hobbies and dress how I want.
Living at home at the time, I took advantage of having very little expenses by purchasing one eccentric piece of clothing after another. I was wearing bright patterns, big names (rarely porting logos), and avant-garde silhouettes. I’m biased, but in my opinion, I stood out in my office for being one of the most eccentric dressers in the building. Now that I’m an avid watch enthusiast, I like wearing my good pieces to work. In a recent meeting, I had a moment of realization: I look like an asshole. Why am I an associate-level employee wearing an Omega Seamaster in the office? Maybe the Gucci x TNF should stay at home? Do these people even know what Aimé Leon Dare is?! I’ve had to question whether or not I want to wear expensive items to work
The idea of not wearing visibly expensive items at work depends on a multitude of factors, the nature of your industry is probably the biggest. If you work in a prestige industry like investment banking, consulting, or tech (software engineers), you’ll probably be running up the checks and expected to rock a little wrist candy to impress the boiz.
Tech guys wear Apple Watches, but entry-level bankers and consultants love themselves a Rolex Submariner, while the managing director most likely wears an Audemars Piguet or a Patel Philippe. It’s generally accepted that most people working in these industries are making great money and will be able to splurge on clothes and accessories. You’ll see no shortage of navy blue slacks with brown shoes, a white shirt, and Patagonia vests, but sneakily hidden under their Brooks Brothers shirts are $10K Submariners and $20K GMT Master IIs. Occasionally you’ll see Gucci Loafers. On some rare occasions, you’ll even see a Louis Vuitton belt. Regardless, wearing pricier items is just par for the course.
If you’re working in a non-profit, however; you’d probably want to dress more understated. You’ll come across as disingenuous to whatever cause you’re working on to be running around with a Loewe puzzle bag. Your style in your office should adhere to the ethos of the company.
If you’re working an entry-level job or haven’t reached a managerial position, you may want to hold off on pulling up to the office in the Moncler puffer. When I was still working in fashion, I had a director who wore several different Rolexes - a Datejust, GMT Master II, and Hulk Submariner being his favorites - with Louboutin Shoes, Gucci and Louis Vuitton Polo Shirts, and thousand-dollar hoodies. While his style wasn’t quite for me, he had worked his way up the ladder enough to get his fits off.
I think the game is messed up, and it shouldn’t matter, but showing up to your entry-level sales development representative job with thousand-dollar sneakers on is one of the quickest ways to get people to talk about you behind your back. People will assume you’re a spoiled rich kid who hasn’t earned anything. Managers may hold it against you if you’re wearing more expensive shit than them and hold you back from promotion. The number one reason that I don’t wear lots of expensive pieces to the office - other than the fact that I can count on one hand all of the high-luxury clothes that I own - is the insufferable game of office politics.
I work in a corporate office in the Bay Area, so most of the people I work with are wearing Apple Watches, from the entry-level soldiers to the C-suite, so even wearing my Tissot Gentleman (retailing at $825 at the time that I’m writing this, though I purchased mine years ago for MUCH cheaper) feels a bit show-offy in comparison to my colleague’s much more modest (but nerdy) timepieces. I don’t wear watches to put myself on a pedestal. I don’t wear nice clothes to show the world that I have the privilege to afford them. I do these things because I love them, they make me feel like the best version of myself and I am hopelessly addicted to the jawnz.
A lot of us are into clothes and watches and shoes for the love of the game. It’s a hobby and passion for us, but those on the outside may not understand it. I once got into an argument with someone because he was slandering Supreme. I tried to explain how it was a good brand with a good story and a strong community behind it. The guy I was arguing with told me that I would die alone because I was too wrapped up in material goods to cultivate real human connection. Some people outside of the community can look down on those who are, so use your best judgment when picking out an outfit for work!
Very quickly, on the flip side, sometimes wearing expensive pieces can boost your career. If you’re taking out an important client to lunch, you’ll want to impress them. Maybe wear your best shoes and a simple Tag Heuer watch or a vintage Air King to get some extra business. If you’re doing in-person sales then tasteful luxury may help close a deal for you. It’s all circumstantial!
At the end of the day, it’s important to remind yourself that 99% of the people you interact with on a day-to-day basis do not even pay attention to the clothes you’re wearing - a notion that should feel liberating rather than constraining. Unless you’re flaunting logomania like it’s your job, most people won’t care what you’re wearing. Sure, you can wear your Tudor 58 to work, just don’t show it off too much. Understated is elegant. You should be doing all the talking, not your fit!
Peace and Love