Out of all the project management topics to write about, I never expected to write one about fashion choices. I do like to dress well when possible, but I never really considered that as part of being a P.M. It turns out that more people are interested in this topic than I expected, so here we are! So what do Project Managers wear, exactly? This varies from industry to industry as well as what the day’s activities will entail, so we’ll cover the basics of each!
Regardless of the industry you work in, it’s important to remember these tips:
- Clothes should be clean and wrinkle free
- Wear clothes that fit
- Don’t go crazy with too many colors or designs – the simpler, the better
- You don’t need to spent a fortune, but you do need to buy quality clothes
- Dress in layers when possible to stay comfortable
- Overdressing for the occasion is not as bad as underdressing for it
- Higher-quality, more expensive shoes are actually cheaper than their less expensive counterparts over a long enough time line, as they will take much longer to wear out.
Let’s get into the details!
What Should Project Managers Wear To The Office?
Some companies require business attire, such as suits and ties. If you’re working at one of these companies, you’ll know. In these cases, they’ll probably have a specific dress code to refer to.
The majority of offices expect a basic level of professionalism in the wardrobe choices of its’ employees, even if that isn’t a suit.
As a Project Manager, I have never worked for a company that required business attire. Below is what I’ve worn as a man, but I’m guessing the choices are similar for women as well:
- Throughout The Year: Button-up shirts paired with either dress pants or khakis. I alternate between black and brown leather oxfords with a belt that matches each.
- Winter: I often wear the same as above, but might wear a sweater or wool pants instead. For men, I like the look of chukka boots in the winter too, especially if they’ve got some tread.
- Summer: Cotton and linen pants are more comfortable in the heat, as are linen shirts and short-sleeve polos. If it’s really hot, I personally wear polos meant for golf, as they breathe easier. I also switch out dressier shoes for leather slip-on shoes or boat shoes.
- Jackets, Etc: It’s funny – the simpler a jacket is, the better it looks. I alternate between wool, waterproof and insulated jackets that are all solid in color. I keep to colors that are universal, such as black, navy blue, brown and grey. Just my preference.
In short, I feel that Project Managers should dress professionally as often as possible! If nothing else, your managers and coworkers will see you as someone who’s put together and takes pride in themselves.
Meanwhile, some company cultures are totally fine with sweatshirts, jeans and sneakers. Dressing professionally may be seen as odd in these settings!
Read Next: Working At A Large Company Vs. Small Company: The Pros & Cons
How Should Project Managers Dress For Meetings?
When it comes to meeting with clients or other colleagues, it’s difficult to say exactly how a Project Manager should dress. This largely depends on the environment or the meeting, weather, etc.
What I can say is that people make many judgements based on appearance, whether we like it or not.
So the question first should be – what sort of reputation are you expecting to uphold? What kind of impression do you want to make?
Chances are, if you dress the same for a meeting as you do when you go to the office (see sect. 1), you’ll probably be fine. It is worthwhile to consider whether or not your clients are the type that appreciate a suit, or if they’re more relaxed if you wear generally well put-together clothes.
Read Next: Inexperienced Project Manager? The Do’s & Don’ts For Young P.M.s
What About More Relaxed Clothes?
Let’s be real – suits and leather dress shoes are comfortable. The same can be said for many modern women’s dress clothes, heels, etc. While we might choose the best fabrics or the highest quality items, they still won’t be considered truly comfortable.
If your company requires business attire 100% of the time or you have an important meeting, it’s helpful to take off the jackets, loosen the ties and swap out shoes if you’re trying to get comfortable. Many people need to drive for multiple hours to get to a meeting or give a presentation in the afternoon after working all morning in the office. It pays to keep yourself feeling comfortable if it helps your mind work better.
You might even want to bring a complete change of clothes to stay in before/after you’re done dressing up.
The same can be said for work that requires long periods of uninterrupted focus. If you focus best in a sweatshirt instead of a suit – go for it. If you’re most productive when you’re most comfortable, your managers probably won’t mind.
Read Next: A Project Manager’s First Day On The Job: Focus On These 3 Essentials
What Do Project Managers In Construction Wear?
What do project managers wear in construction? That’s a good question.
First off, job sites (are supposed to) require that everyone wear safety shoes i.e. work boots, hiking boots or similar. I don’t know about you, but boots don’t look great with a suit or nice pants to me. Therefore, it’s very common that Construction P.M.s bring their boots with them throughout the day.
Whenever I wear anything nice to a job site, it gets messed up. In my experience, I’ve damaged or dirtied shoes (if I forget boots), jackets, light colored pants, white shirts, etc. Even if I’m onsite for ten minutes, I almost always brush up against something that leaves stains.
There will also be days that you spend the entire day onsite. In these cases, I just wear a lightweight shirt (button-up or polo), jeans and work boots. If a jacket is needed, I wear a rougher material such as a tough wool or canvas. It’s a good idea to wear clothes that you don’t mind messing up.
The reality is that construction P.M.s need to first dress for the weather and environment. When it’s cold, you’ll need a sweater, jacket, hat, etc. If it’s hot, whatever you wear will get sweaty. The environment is the determining factor.
In Summary
So what do project managers wear? As you can see, that largely depends on where you work and the industry you’re in. Whatever the case may be, if you dress for the environment, wear clean clothes that fit, keep it simple, stay professional and don’t overdo it, you’ll be fine. I hope this article has been helpful – thanks for reading!
