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Casual dress a nightmare for many blokes.
I was very aware of the blokes' law office uniform when I worked in the City. I wore Churches brogues (lace-up only - the view was that 'slip-on is slip-shod' and someone who can't be bothered to tie his own shoes can't be trusted) and chalk, needle and pin striped suits, so hair-raisingly dull they were almost cool; ties were discreet, silk, un-showy and red (no bathroom colours allowed - green, yellow brown 'what are you a friend of the earth' etc, no swirly patterns or 'amusing' ties (does your wife buy your ties); the knot was that bunched, jutting triangle of the triple Windsor; removable collar stiffeners obviously, and 1950s cufflinks. the briefcase was tan leather, with an overfit lid and brass locks (the kind you need a 'proper' key for). I used it also to hide my copy of the Guardian, lest evidence of such seditious tendencies be used against me. it was a game and I played it.
I've always just worn this uniform to work - sober suits, formal black lace-up shoes, quality shirts and ties, cufflinks etc. They always look good and you never have to think too much about what to wear. It's just a work uniform, I'm fine with that. But this whole tedious "business casual" is more trouble and expense than it's worth. My own out-of-work clothes are way too scruffy to wear to work. So I'd need to acquire a complete new wardrobe of expensive preppy cr@p that I don't even like. A boring suit, it's understood it's a uniform, and any allowable individuality is expressed discreetly via cufflinks, tie etc (albeit even those are within v narrow parameters, but that's the game). However, in theory, your business casual clothes is meant to be your choice -not a uniform. I personally think that preppy look is disastrous. I like formal work uniform and I like outdoor / scruffy clothes. Either is me. Preppy business casual stuff is not me. And the kicker is that business casual clothes cost much, much more than good old suits (which often are surprisingly good value) and the biz casual stuff also then obliges you to have more variety, i.e., think about your clothes. Nightmare - work's bad enough without getting into all that "what to wear" cr@p that afflicts women.

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