The design was a simple interlocking pattern of blue and purple. Stylish but not loud. The type of tie you would wear to a bankers’ event. Or so I thought.
As I walked into the annual NJBankers Economic Forum last week in Berkeley Heights, I realized very quickly that my tie stood out. Simply because I was wearing one.
Everyone was in a suit. But I was part of a small majority of men — unofficially one in three — who was wearing a tie. Even those in the spotlight were dressing down. The featured panel featured four men. Only one was wearing a tie.
What in the name of the always impeccably dressed Walter Brasch is going on here?
To be fair, the casual Fridays concept pre-dates the pandemic. And corporate dress has been far more casual after it. Even in banking.
Is that a good thing?
Brittany Wheeler, a VP and director of government affairs at the NJ Bankers Association, isn’t so sure. In a playful conversation on the topic, she offered a tried-and-true rule of thumb.
“I’ve always thought you should dress for the job you want, not the job you have,” she said.
This may sound like advice from your mom, but don’t be fooled. Wheeler isn’t a boomer. Far from it. She’s a millennial. A child of the 90s.
Wise beyond her years?
We went to two tie-less Gen Zers to get their thoughts.
Charlie Sloane, 30, said it’s not always how you look but how you feel.
“I’ve prioritized comfort a little bit over style,” he said. “I think in today’s day and age, with this new era of fashion, you can get away with a nice, crisp suit without the tie and still present as professional.”
Will King, 26, wasn’t as confident in his look. It was his first NJBankers event, and he was questioning his fashion choices.
No tie? There was a good reason for that — he said he’s not sure if he owns one. King admitted he felt a bit undressed for another reason: He was still sporting the frat boy jacket and khakis look.
But at least he was wearing the proper shoes.
As long as we’re discussing the whole outfit (‘fit’ if you’re under 30 or so), we have to bring up a trend that needs to end: Sneakers with suits.
Thankfully, everyone in the room passed that test.
Of course, what gives us the right to dress down others for their appearance? After all, we’re not qualified to judge. Thankfully, we found someone who is.
Karen Kessler, on the board at Northfield Bank, is a PR pro and crisis comms expert at the firm she owns and operates, Kessler PR. She gets paid to tell clients what to say, what to do — and what to wear.
And she was … more than OK with the looks of the day.
“This is an industry-friendly forum — almost like a family outing,” she said. “I don’t think people need to get as dressed up here as they would have at an office meeting.”
There you have it.
Ties have gone the way of … the hat. A fashion extra that has been missing since long before anyone in this room entered the work world.
Then again, maybe one day old will be new again.
Just ask Jared Knisley, 46.
He has long sworn off ties.
But hats?
“I would love the hat thing to come back,” he said.
There’s just one problem.
“I’d have no idea where to get one,” he said.
