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I am moving to a new firm, I already finish all the interviews and the tests and got accepted.

I am wondering if in my first day, it is good to wear tie and suit (or just suit) or something less formal.

I am 27 years old and my job title is Developer.

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    @JoeStrazzere Thanks for correcting my typos – user2059935 Sep 25 '16 at 16:01
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    Did you see anyone wearing suit and tie while you were interviewing there? Why are you asking us, and not asking your point of contact at the company? – Vietnhi Phuvan Sep 25 '16 at 16:02
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    @VietnhiPhuvan to be honest, I didn't see a tie and a suit in the interviews there, I saw men with genes and Tshirt (it was summer), I don't know what a point of contact is, but I do contact the HR always and I am shy to ask them this question – user2059935 Sep 25 '16 at 16:05
  • @user259935 Go by what you see. Wear something similar to whatever your interviewers wore. – Vietnhi Phuvan Sep 25 '16 at 16:28
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    If you wear a suit, they will probably not recognize (or respect) you as a developer, because they will expect someone who looks like a bum. – daraos Sep 25 '16 at 16:55
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I am wondering if in my first day, it is good to wear tie and suit (or just suit) or something less formal.

I don't know any Developers who wear ties and/or suits at work these days. In my area, the norms seem to run from anything goes (shorts, flip-flops, etc), to business casual (shoes, khakis and a shirt with buttons and a collar).

But it would depend on the culture in your locale and at your workplace. It's possible (although unlikely) that formal dress is the norm at your new shop.

If you interviewed on-site, you could have looked around and see how others were dressed - that would be a clue. Similarly, how the folks that interviewed you were dressed is a clue.

But if you still aren't sure, you could do what I did when I was young and unsure. Call the office. Talk to the receptionist, HR or office manager, and ask how other Developers are dressed. While it might feel awkward to ask that question, you are likely to get some friendly help, just as I did.

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    @user2059935 You don't ask what to wear exactly, you ask "what's the dress code?" It's a perfectly reasonable question to ask and nobody will think it odd. Certainly not as odd as wearing a suit and tie when everyone around you us in t-shirts. – Laconic Droid Sep 25 '16 at 16:14
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    if the interviewers were in jeans/tshirt you'd be massively overdressed. If you want to look a bit nicer on your first day (eg for a badge photo), khaki's and a polo would be reasonable. Beyond that you're going to start looking out of place. – Dan Neely Sep 25 '16 at 16:23
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    To extend - khakis, button down shirt, and a sport jacket. You can quickly remove the jacket. – paparazzo Sep 25 '16 at 17:08
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    I don't know any suit and tie developers either – WorkerDrone Sep 26 '16 at 13:22
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    Emphasis here on the developer culture, get to know it and dress accordingly. I have seen a few suit and tie places for developers still. I recall a few law firms big enough to have their own developers requiring EVERYONE in business formal wear. – tekiegreg Sep 26 '16 at 19:28
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My thoughts would be to dress the same as the manager you interviewed with was wearing during your interview. If he was wearing slacks and an Oxford shirt, then you can start with that. If he was wearing a Polo shirt and Khakis, then there's your target.

Try to stay consistent for a week, and take note of everyone else's dress. If one person is wearing ripped jeans and flip-flops, that does not mean that everyone else gets to.

After a week, try to "fit in" with your group, but don't be afraid to dress a bit better. If it's a jeans and T-Shirt shop, then make sure your jeans are clean, not torn, and don't be afraid to let the world know you have an iron. Clean shoes that are in good shape are always better, no matter what the dress is. Also - I guarantee no one wants to see your toenails. Fit in, but fit in with style.

However: T-Shirts are for music festivals, going to the gym, and days when you have to pull cables under the raised floor. A polo is the minimum.

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  • Did you mean to mention toe nails twice? – Kat Sep 25 '16 at 20:49
  • No, I had a much longer version initially, then realized I'd talked in a circle. :) – Wesley Long Sep 25 '16 at 20:51
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    Unless there's something really funky going on with your toenails; wearing socks with sandals is worse than wearing sandals without. – Dan Neely Sep 25 '16 at 21:41

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