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Comment by zeveb | Hacker News Reader

> Ties, skirts, suits, coordinated outfits, scarves, leather soled shoes -- all are passe, even in button down East Coast Fortune 100 companies (other than for aspiring managers or those in banking/finance).

I dunno about that. When I see someone who's wearing decent clothes, I still think, 'wow, that's someone who wants to look good.'

But I think that I'm a bit weird — I actually enjoy dressing differently for different occasions: it helps me get into the right headspace. Programming while wearing hiking clothes would make as much sense to me as hiking in a tuxedo.

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Now I am curious — what are programming clothes? I actually think hiking clothes would be awesome to program in — comfortable layers, freedom of movement, durable.. a suit makes no sense for programming; restrictive collars, a tie (!!) and a propensity to wrinkle when sitting.

I think you might have sparked a business idea! Clothes for Coders. Couldn’t be any more ridiculous than when Tiesto released a shoe for DJing!

Varies from people. Hell i can program in my underwear provided i dont have a draft

Huh. During a recent heatwave I wrote code the way C Gods (K&R) intended - with absolutly minimal clothing.

> Now I am curious — what are programming clothes?

For me, slacks & a button-down shirt with an open collar. Not as constricted as a coat & tie or jeans, not as uncomfortably exposed as a T-shirt & shorts: slacks & a shirt feel Just Right™ to me.

> I dunno about that. When I see someone who's wearing decent clothes, I still think, 'wow, that's someone who wants to look good.'

Sure! But for a lot of people (especially men), roughly the same "decent clothes" are now decent for work, date night, going to the supermarket, going to your friend's rock show, going to the airport, family holidays, etc. In even the recent past, you could dress well or poorly, but you'd still have to dress more differently for different places.

I had jury duty earlier this week and was afraid I'd look like a jerk not wearing a tie. It turned out I was one of the few men wearing a collared shirt and slacks.

That's interesting! I got called for Jury duty once and actually dressed down more than usual. Figured that since I'd be sitting around all day and was legally obligated to be there (and not getting paid for it) I didn't really owe them any effort. Luckily the case got thrown out quickly. I never once felt underdressed or out of place though. It's a public duty, not a privilege, and you're not the one on trial.

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