Red toned dress shirts for men

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

A man came in for a job interview at my school the other day, and the secretary immediately deemed he wasn't an impressive candidate because he was wearing a red dress shirt and that was "dorky." Now, my husband has only recently started a job where he has to wear a collared shirt and tie, but I've bought him a reddish tone dress shirt that he wears frequently. I never thought anything about it until this was brought up. I didn't give it much thought then but today in the office someone asked her if she knew if that man was going to be hired, and she referred to him as "the red shirt man." I asked what was wrong with a red shirt, and every woman in there commented about how tacky it was, even though their husbands all had dress shirts in shades of blues, purple, pink, coral, black, gray, etc. I repeatedly asked why red wasn't okay if all of those were, and I never really got an answer. Is this the norm everywhere?

So any shirt with a red tone is off limits. Then Why is a red tie considered a power tie?

 

[CPanther95]

So any shirt with a red tone is off limits. Then Why is a red tie considered a power tie?

Is Santa Clause wearing a power suit?

 

[CPanther95]

Haha, okay, you managed to fully answer my question without answering my question. Let me re-phrase. What is wrong with a red shirt that leads you to say that attorneys, accountants, and financial advisors should not wear them? What image is it portraying that an attorney would not like, and why do you think so? I think it can be done very professionally.

Do a google image search for:
Lawyers group photo

You'll have to scroll down further than I did if you want to find a single red dress shirt.



Then do one for:
Lawyer red shirt photo

You'll find a few photos of a lawyer wearing a red shirt - but it's the same guy - and he's at a "red shirt rally" in Bangkok.

 

[RedAngie]

I work in one of those first three fields in a HUGE company. I can guarantee you I see PLENTY of men with red, orange, pink, purple, etc. color dress shirts on a daily basis. Just yesterday I saw a guy with a red one, grey dress pants, and red/grey dress shoes. He looked pretty sharp!

…

Yes, after being hired those shirts are fine, depending on the company's culture. But a candidate wearing one of those colors to an interview?? Better to play it safe.

 

[lifesavacation]

I see nothing wrong with a red shirt.

Is your school secretary some kind of fashion model? I find it super weird that she's critiquing how someone is dressed. Sounds very junior high.

 

[Minnesota!]

Would a woman wearing a red dress get the same reaction? What about a red blouse and dress pants?

 

[cdnjason]

Haha, okay, you managed to fully answer my question without answering my question. Let me re-phrase. What is wrong with a red shirt that leads you to say that attorneys, accountants, and financial advisors should not wear them? What image is it portraying that an attorney would not like, and why do you think so? I think it can be done very professionally.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to evade your question. I don't believe it's appropriate. You are certainly entitled to disagree. I have nothing further to contribute. Except that it would never happen at my firm.

 

[Hikergirl]

A red dress shirt isn't appropriate? Um, okay that is a new one.

I wouldn't care what color shirt any of those professionals were wearing, as long as they are capable of doing their jobs.

Is it because its the color associated with the devil? Honestly I can't think of any reason for your line of thinking other than something crazy like that.

 

[cdnjason]

Trial lawyers know not to wear attire that is a distraction. (I.e. don't fit, reveal too much, etc). Red is a distracting color.

Look, I'm not trying to convince anyone of my opinion. I, obviously, have the minority opinion on here. I'm okay with it. I'll move on.

 

[Hikergirl]

Trial lawyers know not to wear clothes that are a distraction. (I.e don't fit, reveal too much, etc). Red is a distracting color.

Look, I'm not trying to convince anyone of my opinion. I, obviously, have the minority opinion on here. I'm okay with it. I'll move on.

Okay, I'm sorry for questioning you, you were so vague with your reason that I was left to my own imagination.
I can understand thinking its inappropriate while in a court room, but in general or just at the office I just don't see that. its just a shirt color, no different than any other color IMO

 

[jrmasm]

I wouldn't say dorky but I'm not a fan of bright, solid colored button up shirts for men. Always makes me think of the Mark Anthony line at Kohls.

 

[cdnjason]

Okay, I'm sorry for questioning you, you were so vague with your reason that I was left to my own imagination.

No need to apologize. You are free to question. But, thank you.

 

[Cantw8]

I wouldn't say dorky but I'm not a fan of bright, solid colored button up shirts for men. Always makes me think of the Mark Anthony line at Kohls.

I am a fan. I think it makes a man look stylish and approachable; down to earth.
This guy would have been cool in 1977 Regardless of the year though, his moose knuckle has to go

 

[declansdad]

Trial lawyers know not to wear attire that is a distraction. (I.e. don't fit, reveal too much, etc). Red is a distracting color.

Look, I'm not trying to convince anyone of my opinion. I, obviously, have the minority opinion on here. I'm okay with it. I'll move on.

Are you a Canadian lawyer? If so, wouldn't the robe you are required to wear in court hide the colour of your shirt?

 

[ronandannette]

Yes, after being hired those shirts are fine, depending on the company's culture. But a candidate wearing one of those colors to an interview?? Better to play it safe.

I sort of agree, not because I think it should matter but because I'm a "play it safe" kind of person in general. And that's just what I would do - not what I think everybody needs to do. I wouldn't take pause at all at a candidate wearing a bright shirt. I might even slightly admire the sense of flair, especially if the look was very put-together and spiffy.

Would a woman wearing a red dress get the same reaction? What about a red blouse and dress pants?

Good question - I've been thinking the same thing. Truth is, I think interview attire is more of a minefield for women. There's not too far wrong a guy can go in a suit, shirt and tie; bright colours not withstanding. There are lots more choices for women to make, short of wearing a simple business suit themselves. In the 6 years I've been a hiring manager I don't think I've ever seen a lady in one, but I have seen the rest of the gamut.

 

[cdnjason]

Are you a Canadian lawyer? If so, wouldn't the robe you are required to wear in court hide the colour of your shirt?

I was born in Canada. Now, live in Las Vegas and practice here.

 

[declansdad]

I was born in Canada. Now, live in Las Vegas and practice here.

Thanks.

 

[Hrhpd]

Is Santa Clause wearing a power suit?

Perhaps...

According to Google, the Supreme Court of Canada Dress Attire:

and the closest land to the North Pole is the Canadian territory of Nunavut.

 

[Hrhpd]

Sorry, I wasn't trying to evade your question. I don't believe it's appropriate. You are certainly entitled to disagree. I have nothing further to contribute. Except that it would never happen at my firm.

You keep narrowing your parameters down.

First you listed all sorts of fields where a red shirt was not appropriate.
Then you moved to just attorneys
Now it is attorneys actually in court (which I concur can be a distraction)

 

[cdnjason]

You keep narrowing your parameters down.

First you listed all sorts of fields where a red shirt was not appropriate.
Then you moved to just attorneys
Now it is attorneys actually in court (which I concur can be a distraction)

First, let me reiterate, it's just my opinion. I'm not trying to convince anyone that it is right or wrong.

That said, I maintain that the forgoing professionals shouldn't wear bright colored shirts. The subsequent responses were simply clarifying my position based on comments directed at me.

Frankly, I'm surprises to see how serious folks are taking my opinion. I hope I'm not sending a tone that is contentious. I'm definitely not intending it. This is just a discussion.