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The Engineer's "look"

robogary
robogary over 1 year ago

In all the movies, stereotypical male engineers in the 50s and 60s wore drab colored suit jackets, white shirts, pocket protectors, straight leg pants, brown or black shoes. Female engineers, dresses, hose, and flat shoes. 

The 70s saw the suit jackets get more colorful, wide ties, wide lapels, maybe a moustache,but still somewhat conservative. Leisure Suits ughhh The ladies wearing pant suits. Modest hair styles. 

The early 80s relaxed on the jackets, as the decade wore on, ties also faded as they were seen as intimidating to a workforce. Ladies wore what they wanted as long as it was respectable.

Still neat dress was required, shirts with collars, dress pants, dress shoes or the required steel toes. 

As time goes on, casual growing more acceptable, jeans, tennis shoes/sneakers, polo shirts....

The office standard now seems to be jeans, polo shirts, tennies, with some just wearing T shirts (somewhat still frowned upon). Shaving is optional. Combing hair is preferred. Sandals are adopted by some.

Business dress is desired when customers come in.   

The "working from home" dress code drifted into the office, altho no jammies or undress in the office yet.

What is your "look" and what are your expectations for your colleague's dress and appearance  ?  What is your idea of an engineer's stereotypical look these days ? 

      

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  • kmikemoo
    kmikemoo over 1 year ago +4
    Okay... I'll poke the bear. First let me say that I deeply respect you all. Sincerely. The male "Engineer look" is slightly outdated clothing and socially, a bit awkward in group settings. People don…
  • dang74
    dang74 over 1 year ago in reply to kmikemoo +4
    That post was a joy to read. Very comical and insightful in its observations of human psychology. My favorite part was: "His only business suit is also his funeral suit."
  • phoenixcomm
    phoenixcomm over 1 year ago +4
    robogary Ok, I have not worked for a LONG TIME! From the '70s to the mid90s I owned my own as well. so here goes!I always at, Garrett Aireserch, Hughs Aircraft, TRW, and Grumman always had to look sharp…
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  • kmikemoo
    kmikemoo over 1 year ago

    Okay... I'll poke the bear.  First let me say that I deeply respect you all.  Sincerely.

    The male "Engineer look" is slightly outdated clothing and socially, a bit awkward in group settings.  People don't think like he thinks so it's tough to relate - but he tries.  Good natured.  Sincere.  Right up until you prove yourself a "Flat Earther" and then... a bit condescending.  He still doesn't want a fist fight.

    The female engineer... it doesn't matter what she wears as she has a "presence".  After all, she works in a male-dominated world.  She is strong willed and assertive - and it freaks the males around her out.  She can be highly admired for her skill, but there's still a bit of "does not equal" that exists around her.  (Might be that men will never understand women - and yet, she's here.)

    My first thought was of an IT Engineer.  Young.  Thin.  Unruly hair.  Everything that I'm not or don't have.  Looks awkward in a business suit.
    What I was taught were the "classic engineers", EE's, ME's and CE's (both kinds)... middle aged, balding, slightly over-weight, only wear short sleeved shirts, slacks and shoes with no laces.  On the weekends, they upgrade to white t-shirts and newer blue jeans - nothing ratty.  Clean white New Balance sneakers.  His only business suit is also his funeral suit.  A little tight.

    Right now, we only have one Engineer that works for the company and he's an IT guy.  He in competition for "the most interesting man in the World" in my book.  Sometimes he wears tweed.  Sometimes it's business casual.  He is a true Renaisance man and breaks every mold.  He's cool in every generation.

    So... fantastic question, robogary.  Again... you all are great.  Please see the humor.

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  • dang74
    dang74 over 1 year ago in reply to kmikemoo

    That post was a joy to read.  Very comical and insightful in its observations of human psychology.  My favorite part was:

    "His only business suit is also his funeral suit."

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  • dang74
    dang74 over 1 year ago in reply to kmikemoo

    That post was a joy to read.  Very comical and insightful in its observations of human psychology.  My favorite part was:

    "His only business suit is also his funeral suit."

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