University of Colorado at Denver

Each spring, as more and more of our graduate students choose to attend the SIOP Conference, I find myself spending more time in seminars engaging in, we’ll say anticipatory socialization. Topics may include how to introduce yourself to someone whose papers you were forced to read the prior semester or why you should never expect to find copies of papers available more than 5 minutes after a poster session starts. The most important topic, however, particularly for first-year attendees, is what to wear to the conference. I used to start this topic tongue-in-cheek, but was always amazed at how furiously students scribbled notes (much more so than when we talk about training evaluation). In recent years, I have also been struck by the average clothing bill spent by students the weekend before SIOP in preparation for the conference. It is with some pride that I can report that our students often spend the equivalent of 2 months salary on a weekend’s worth of clothes. As many of you know, this is also what jewelers recommend men spend on engagement rings. Because I have been so successful locally at creating anxious, broke, well dressed (and often overdressed) graduate students, it seemed only natural that I share my recommendations at a much broader level. And here they are.

For Whom the Code Applies

I always make it very clear at the outset that the following dress code applies only to men. I am not an expert in how women should dress, nor would I want to be. My recommendation to female readers is that you simply select whatever is the female equivalent of the recommendations provided for men (with those exceptions noted below). It is perhaps interesting to note that the same process could not be applied in the opposite direction; that is, men could never figure out how to dress appropriately by observing female dress and selecting the male analogs. Although the dress code is for most men, it is not for all men. Exceptions are duly noted.

The Clothing Progression

Choosing appropriate outfits is greatly simplified once one understands the fundamental clothing progression. The progression for the majority of attendees is straightforward. During the day, Friday is a suit, Saturday is a sport coat and tie, and Sunday is either a polo shirt worn under (the same) sport coat, or a long-sleeve sport shirt worn open at the collar. Many will try to wear an open-collared dress shirt on Sunday. Although this is within the spirit of the rules, it is not a strong fashion choice and should be avoided.

Evening wear follows a similar progression, greatly relieving worries when planning and packing. The key to the night progression is that clothing type should match what is to be worn the following day. Thus, one opts for a sport coat and tie on Friday night, and the polo shirt or dress shirt on Saturday. Very simple. On Friday night, many men will simply elect to remove their tie and unbutton their top shirt button. Don’t make the same mistake. If you must stay in your suit, leave the tie on. Although this suggests that you do not fully understand all the rules of dress, it also conveys that you were perhaps too busy networking or attending meetings to even think about changing.

Although the clothing progression applies foremost to men, it can be followed by women as well with the understanding that when in doubt, women in a professional setting should choose to dress somewhat more conservatively than men. Thus, a first-time female conference attendee may choose to wear suits on Friday and Saturday, followed by a somewhat less formal outfit on Sunday.

As with any rules, there are the exceptions. Please note that exceptions are most often deferred by status. Frank Landy and Rick Jacobs may look like they’re late for a marathon and/or tennis match at all times (because everyone knows that neither is really on his way to play). Past presidents may (and typically do) wear open shirts and sport coats at all times. Wally Borman can look like he’s late for a meeting with a neighbor at Starbucks because....well, no one knows why, but he can.

Special Circumstances

The enlightened reader understands that form must always follow function, so that a wardrobe must conform to the demands of the situation. For example, consider the health club. Many SIOP members enjoy the opportunity to use the hotel health club to stave off the extra pounds brought on by fine dining. Please remember that your peers will generally not be used to seeing you in so little clothing; thus it is particularly important to practice conservatism here. An oversized T-shirt is a wise investment, and men are urged to "just say no" to spandex.

Other special circumstances arise at warm weather destinations (e.g., Dallas and Orlando). It is practical and, fortunately, permissible to relax the dress code somewhat during conferences held in warmer climates. A light-weight suit (linen or wool-blend) on Friday is still advisable, but a tie need not be worn on Saturday, nor socks on Sunday. Many men are tempted to wear short sleeve shirts throughout the conference, but these must never be worn with a tie. If you are wearing a tie and anticipate sweating, roll-up your sleeves.

Fad and Fashion

As in all aspects of professional dress, never confuse fad with fashion. There was nothing particularly pleasant in 1990 about giving a talk in Miami to a room full of I-O Psychologists dressed like Don Johnson. Individuality is allowed, even encouraged, but should be expressed primarily through the selection of ties and socks. Further, remember that there is rarely anything that goes as well with most suits as a clean, well-starched white shirt.

In addition, you will note that on Sunday at any SIOP conference, about 85% of the men will be wearing Dockers (Grrr Animals for the adult male). Please understand that this is only a reflection of individual decision making and the power of mass marketing. It is decidedly not part of the dress code.

Footnote

Never wear more than two different pairs of shoes during the course of the conference. It is inexplicable, but the majority of conference goers will notice violations. Because it is also important that your shoes must coordinate with a variety of daytime and evening attire, care should be exerted in the selection of both shoes and clothes.