Dos & Don’ts: Men’s Athletic Wear

As we strike back to the office, it’s important to note mens athletic wear, as with womens, has become synonymous with Work From Home (WFH). Though athletic wear is entirely acceptable when no one sees you from the waist down, it’s not acceptable for all work situations.

Just because you see mens athletic wear in the stores and online dressed up to look like office attire, doesn’t make it so. There are a few clothing items which are not fit for the office, they are: hoodies and sweatpants. Neither carry over the work threshold by adding a blazer to them either, sorry.

Regardless of your vocation, you want to dress appropriately, and these two garments, though loved, make you look unkempt. Peers and colleagues make judgements about you based on what you wear. Presenting well is just as key for you as for women so don’t give up that advantage.

Luckily, however, Covid has driven a new style of comfortable alternatives. Try a pant, or even a dark dress jean (no holes), which has more synthetic in the fabric. The result is a pant that acts like athletic wear but doesn’t look like it.

Many mens dress shoes are now soft soled, and sneakers are acceptable office dress. If you want an edge over your competition, consider a darker sneaker with your pant, it dresses up your look.

Given the shift to less formal work attire, alternatives abound which convey confidence and gravitas without sacrificing comfort.

Tammy’s Truism: The age-old rule against wearing white socks with your sneakers still applies!