Myths and Tips for Women in Tech to Dress Comfortable & Chic, not Always Weekend-Casual, for the Office  

While the tech industry may not be at the forefront of gender parity, the it has always been at the cutting-edge of the casual workplace dress code for decades. The days of the suit-and-tie dress code faded long ago (or were never adopted), and the entrepreneurial feel of many tech companies changed workplace dynamics: many companies deliberately set themselves apart by creating a more informal environment that encouraged collaboration, open offices, cubicle and bullpen farms, longer hours, free food — and where weekend wear became acceptable office wear.

So, the common office outfit at a tech company now consists of jeans, a graphic tee and athletic shoes, not only for men but for women. Even the definition of “men’s business casual” (a step up from “casual”) has changed only from dress pants with no tie, to jeans and a polo or button-up (and don’t even think about adding a tie or jacket!).

There are many reasons women dress down in the tech industry: to get along with male colleagues, to fit in, and to be more comfortable in a more casual work environment. But dressing more professionally not only boosts your personal confidence, it can increase co-worker’s confidence in you. Once co-workers realize you aren’t interviewing for a new job, and that “office-chic” is your personal style at work, you can step it up and others will follow.  And there are so many options: sheath dresses, blazers, blouses, trousers, skirts, dress jeans, and camisoles. Let’s not forget the shoe choices:  open-toe, closed-toe, boots, booties, sandals, flats, or pumps. (By wearing a blazer and heels, you can still rock a pair of jeans with panache!)

So, consider stepping it up on the sartorial front.  Still not convinced?  Let’s debunk some of the myths women have about dressing professionally at a tech company:

Myth #1: Professional Clothes are Uncomfortable 
If clothes fit right, and look great, you can be just as comfortable in trousers and a blouse as in sweats and bunny slippers. Find a clothing line that really fits. Most designers design to fit their own personal body type. There is one out there at all price ranges that will work for you.

You may need to shop around before you find those jeans that don’t gap in the back, and that are the right length, but once you find the one or few stores where you can walk in and everything fits, building your office-chic wardrobe, affordably, becomes easier than picking out the next pair of athletic shoes.  Some familiar retailers that specialize in stretch fabrics in their dressy lines: J. Crew (has a whole line of stretch suits), The Limited (try their “Exact” Stretch Pants), and Style & Co. Wide-Leg Stretch Pants at Macy’s are all options that will fit your need for comfort and allow you to stay within a reasonable budget.

Myth #2: Professional Clothes Must be Expensively Dry-Cleaned 
Just like technology, fabrics continue to evolve. Most fabrics are machine-washable, even silk. And today, even machine-washable polyester can be mistaken for an expensive silk blouse. So invest in laundry bags that transform hand-washables into machine-washables.

Myth #3: Professional Clothes are Too Expensive 
If you find a clothing line that fits well, and things match over different seasons, you can invest wisely by adding one or a few pieces every season and building on a versatile wardrobe. For the classic items, you may want to invest at full price when you find something that fits well, will last, and is fashionably timeless. Even lower-end chains, like Target, have pulled in some great, well known designers like Marimekko and Lily Pulitzer to step up their game on affordable professional wear. The point is, optimize your investments so that you’re not buying clothes just to buy clothes. Know what’s in your closet inventory and if you already have something similar, pass.

For the more trendy pieces, wait for it to go on sale. There are apps out there that let you know when an item goes on sale, and even some credit card companies that will reimburse purchases when the price drops if you register the items when you purchase.

Myth #4: It Doesn’t Matter What I Wear to Work, Even if It’s Yoga pants and Flip-flops. Nobody Notices!
Everyone notices, including decision-makers and the power-holders in your office. Heaven forbid there be a client who happens to come into the office on your yoga pant day.  Yoga pants are appropriate for your yoga mat, not your office chair. Athletic wear is only appropriate if you work in a gym. And the combination of stairs and flip-flops is a safety hazard, not to mention a broken toe ready to happen.

There are many shoe brands that make fashionable shoes that feel as comfortable as your athletic shoes. Find a clothing line that fits and feels right. A pair of colorful leggings and a tunic can definitely fit your comfort requirement, and, with a pair of soft, stylish shoes, elevate your look to office-chic.

Myth #5:  Only Executives Wear Professional Attire
Most office environments today are cubicle farms. In a many cases where the culture is collaborative, an executive has the same amount of office space as a technician. If you want to portray professionalism at any level, dress professionally. People might just start to scratch their heads on what position you really hold in the hierarchy of the company.

Myth #6:  Nobody Dresses Up at a Tech Company
You may surprise yourself, when you dress it up, at how many of your fellow female coworkers join in. Being in a male-dominated industry doesn’t mean you need to lose your femininity or your love for fashion. So go ahead: give yourself and the women you work with the freedom to express a more professional, stylish appearance, even when your male co-workers continue to wear their weekend wear.