Social Media, Put Some Damn Pants On!

man, i loved this post.

Great point. Look at a guy like Cashmore. Sure he looks like Zoolander in all of his pictures and sure his site has sold out to Crapple, but the guy has a style that screams, "Take me seriously."

I don't care how good someone's ideas may be, your ego and arrogance don't make you great, and people will care less for your ideas.

Most of these people need a course in Sales 101 and realize that winning and friends and influencing people isn't about you, your ideas or your beliefs.

Mike,
I wanted to consider other comments before posting mine, but the rude, offensive trolls caused me to stop. I enjoyed your post and would have bookmarked the blog for future reading, but a great, thought provoking post and its insightful responses aren't worth subjecting myself to the cursing and self-promoting garbage that continues throughout the comment thread.

There are many reasons for leaving comments open and not moderated. Unfortunately, lack of moderation causes your readers to be subjected to the same disrespect that you saw at the 140 Conference.

A presenter who fails to consider their audience should not be presenting. If a speaker shows me the disrespect of appearing in flip-flops and shorts, my response is simple: leave. I owe it to myself not to spend my time with a presenter whose attire tells me that they think they are too important to bother showing basic respect for their audience. If they continue to treat their audience as unimportant, it will eventually prove true - when they will no longer have an audience.

Wow there are so many great comments to this post!

My opinion is that social media is growing into an odd beast, and probably will not mature into one that wears pants. Sorry, Mike. The merging of the tech world with the business world is causing an inevitable shift in both business culture and tech culture. Maybe it should be called "Cultural media?"...nah

I was not at #140conf but from the conferences I have been to, the most impressive presenters are always the ones who know their stuff inside and out. My professors would probably disagree with me but I think as long as you have that knowledge, and can verbally communicate it effectively, the initial shock of your non verbals (read dress) will go away.

Although it does seem like in the fight between tech culture and business culture, tech wins out because business' objectives are better met when techies are happy. Look at the AP switch from Web site to website. It might seem small but that change was a concession to the tech world's disregard for grammatical nuances. And that disregard - which I believe can be a positive thing if the object is really a minor issue -also shows in the culture of casual dress.

For tech pros, what you can do matters a whole lot more than what you look like. And in the end, hasn't business always been about results?

Quite possibly, Justin was communicating a message through his selection of attire. The message being communicated? Attire is irrelevant to my ideas.

You are definitely overreacting, imho. Why are you fixated on their clothing choice? Fashion changes and we no longer wear powdered white wigs, which probably offends the frail sensibilities of someone next to you on the same spectrum of thought. Let it go. Not everyone judges a book by its cover.

I think when people are spending good money to see you as a leading expert in a professional industry, it would be respectful to them to at least look neat. Superficial? Yes. Reality? Possibly. It might come down to, as you pointed out, recognizing that social media is an odd creature – used and perfected by basement-dwellers and business professionals. Are we ignoring the foundation of social media if we can't recognize and give due diligence to those who figured it out long before businesses did?

Another point: I’ve attended many-a conference presented by expensive-suit-baring folks and walked away having only learned the name of their latest book. Social media just may be one of those topics that we should recognize – and appreciate – that there are several types of people that have knowledge to share; no matter how tattered the book cover (sorry for the cliché).

Wow. Finally - a question where there is one right answer and many wrong ones. I suppose this signals that I can stop searching for the lost City of Ciabola, Atlantis and that pink sock that's eluded me in the laundry for months.

In my not-so-humble opinion (as like assholes, everyone has one), wear whatcha like and embrace the consequences of your actions. Build your brand how you like, and embrace the similar fallout. As for me, I could give a shit if you show up at a meeting with a duck on your head - if you know your shit, you're getting the gig. Yet I realize many others want their attorneys in suits and their CPAs with pocket protectors.

There's no real right or wrong - how you dress yourself, your brand and your content is the beauty of business. Just be sure you're making yourself comfortable/distinct/reprehensible/unremarkable for conscious reasons.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to cancel some plane tickets and Sherpas since I no longer believe in the existence of the above fabled cities. I'm holding out hope for the pink sock.

Regardless of what your "work" dress code is, when you are representing yourself as a professional, you need to dress like one. The point made earlier about getting CEOs and C-suite execs taking communicators seriously is an excellent one. Yes, sometimes standards and protocol do exist like it or not. Remember the old adage 90 percent image, 10 percent reality????

And for all of you, is swearing really necessary to get attention. I am liberal in many of my views, but just becasue things are labeled "social" why does respect and appropriate behavior have to fly out the windows. We're professionals here. Let's act respectable "social media" or not!

I am not a communications professional but I am a career development professional and if a client of mine pulled a stunt like this, I would let him know my displeasure. You summed it up in your comment that implied these folks wasted your time, which is as big a sin these days as it is to waste someone's money. First impressions are number one, and if my first impression is that a presenter is a slob, and has so little regard for his audience as to not even dress correctly, then why should I bother listening to him?

I totally agree - and I've heard nothing but wonderful things about the conference!

No, professional attire is exactly the same as it has been for quite awhile (decades). Business professional (for men) is always suit and tie. Business casual is defined as business professional sans the tie. Meaning, when I'm dressed business professional, I should be able to move to business professional by taking my tie, tying a 1/2 windsor and straightening said tie.

If you want to sit around your house all day in your PJs pretending you're working and that you have great ideas, good on you. When you actually step into the real world, you need to be prepared to be judged on the whole enchilada, and not just your ideas. This is part of the problem with this whole "Social Media Marketing Expert" thing. Newsflash: being an expert in being social isn't hard.

Like the gal above you're trying to force your idealistic view of the world into reality. Realists know the world is judging them based on their ideas, how they look, their confidence, their humor, etc. The truly successful people realize that and cover all the bases.

Someone being a douche is in the eye of the person making that judgment. You're attitude and how you portray yourself is pretty douchey, but that video is pretty funny.

You'd be wrong. I can tell a lot about the people I interview based on how they are dressed. Are they lazy, are they slobs, do they pay attention to details, etc. When I interview a salesman in a cheap suit, it gives me insight as to how good he actually may be. All salesguys claim they are good, but if you're good, you have the finances to afford a higher quality suit. It doesn't mean I'm going to make assumptions and dismiss the person, but it does give me areas to focus on as I have a discussion with that person.

I have suits of heavier wool for winter time and I have tropical weight suits for when it's hot. Take it from a guy that lived in New Orleans for a few years and wore suits everyday. It's not as uncomfortable as you would like to think. You can claim that the "real world" is destructive to humanity, and try to have an idealistic thoughts regarding how your dress can change that, but then reality sets in.

Judging people based on appearances is not going to change. By trying to avoid that reality you're doing things that are more destructive to you and your career.

I like how Peter makes it sound like he's a big swinging dick in the SM world sporting a WordPress website for his corporate website. Those small-minded and big-minded people are judging you because you don't care about details. Sorry, but if I were going to hire someone to "experimentally market" for me, I'm for damned sure going to make sure it's smart people that pay attention to details.

I also like when people throw around the title "CEO" in a company that probably has less than 5 real employees (including the CEO) and a bunch of contractors they hire for piece work.

What's funny is that you care enough to try and make yourself look like you're a big timer, but then fail at the primary things that exude how "big time" you actually are, or could be. You fail at looking like you're the CEO of a company (in your dress, demeanor and attitude), and fail by not having a site that says, "We are a real company with real clients, real services and real capabilities to develop a quality website to actually use your SEO or 'experimental marketing' or high quality content created by your 'idea foundry' in your 'content creation machine.' "

You're just another small-timer trying to make it look like you have something special going on, but in reality miss the mark, as you're too focused on your ego and not your clients.

Mike, good show here man. You're right. I still wear a suit and tie to work everyday, not because I necessarily want to, but because my dress tells the world that I'm here to get things done, make things happen, and make some money. Your dress says more about you than what you do for a living, it says a lot about your attitude, and can say a ton about your attention to details.

No, professional attire is exactly the same as it has been for quite awhile (decades). Business professional (for men) is always suit and tie. Business casual is defined as business professional sans the tie. Meaning, when I'm dressed business professional, I should be able to move to business professional by taking my tie, tying a 1/2 windsor and straightening said tie.

If you want to sit around your house all day in your PJs pretending you're working and that you have great ideas, good on you. When you actually step into the real world, you need to be prepared to be judged on the whole enchilada, and not just your ideas. This is part of the problem with this whole "Social Media Marketing Expert" thing. Newsflash: being an expert in being social isn't hard.

Like the gal above you're trying to force your idealistic view of the world into reality. Realists know the world is judging them based on their ideas, how they look, their confidence, their humor, etc. The truly successful people realize that and cover all the bases.

Someone being a douche is in the eye of the person making that judgment. You're attitude and how you portray yourself is pretty douchey, but that video is pretty funny.

You'd be wrong. I can tell a lot about the people I interview based on how they are dressed. Are they lazy, are they slobs, do they pay attention to details, etc. When I interview a salesman in a cheap suit, it gives me insight as to how good he actually may be. All salesguys claim they are good, but if you're good, you have the finances to afford a higher quality suit. It doesn't mean I'm going to make assumptions and dismiss the person, but it does give me areas to focus on as I have a discussion with that person.

I have suits of heavier wool for winter time and I have tropical weight suits for when it's hot. Take it from a guy that lived in New Orleans for a few years and wore suits everyday. It's not as uncomfortable as you would like to think. You can claim that the "real world" is destructive to humanity, and try to have an idealistic thoughts regarding how your dress can change that, but then reality sets in.

Judging people based on appearances is not going to change. By trying to avoid that reality you're doing things that are more destructive to you and your career.

I like how Peter makes it sound like he's a big swinging dick in the SM world sporting a WordPress website for his corporate website. Those small-minded and big-minded people are judging you because you don't care about details. Sorry, but if I were going to hire someone to "experimentally market" for me, I'm for damned sure going to make sure it's smart people that pay attention to details.

I also like when people throw around the title "CEO" in a company that probably has less than 5 real employees (including the CEO) and a bunch of contractors they hire for piece work.

What's funny is that you care enough to try and make yourself look like you're a big timer, but then fail at the primary things that exude how "big time" you actually are, or could be. You fail at looking like you're the CEO of a company (in your dress, demeanor and attitude), and fail by not having a site that says, "We are a real company with real clients, real services and real capabilities to develop a quality website to actually use your SEO or 'experimental marketing' or high quality content created by your 'idea foundry' in your 'content creation machine.' "

You're just another small-timer trying to make it look like you have something special going on, but in reality miss the mark, as you're too focused on your ego and not your clients.

Mike, good show here man. You're right. I still wear a suit and tie to work everyday, not because I necessarily want to, but because my dress tells the world that I'm here to get things done, make things happen, and make some money. Your dress says more about you than what you do for a living, it says a lot about your attitude, and can say a ton about your attention to details.

I'm 20, about to be a junior in college (majoring in Communication/Public Relations) and I think this post rocks. It's a serious question that not many people are discussing. So often in class we're expected to give a professional presentation--to pitch ourselves to our teachers, our classmates, PR practitioners, anyone who will listen--and no matter how many warnings my professors hand out, there will always be a number of students (sometimes this number is sadly the majority) who come in leggings, shorts or flip flops.

I'm a college student. I hate wearing dress pants and button-down shirts and pencil skirts just as much as the next 20-year-old, but when I'm asked to act professionally, I know that includes looking the part. Since social media is new and cool, I don't think everyone knows what that "part" looks like. So yes, I believe this area requires some education. Someone needs to come down and say it, there is a dress code, and it is professional.

I'm with you Mike, Social Media, Put Some Damn Pants On!

As another #O30Pro, I'm with Lisa. There are enough misperceptions about the value of social media that it's important to put the focus on the industry and not the credibility of the professionals involved. And, dress matters. I wrote a whole post about how I didn't find #Boobquake funny since how women dress in the workplace affects how women are treated and respected professionally. The same holds true for social media gurus. Great post, Mike! Happy that it's encouraged so much dialogue.

Gosh, I thought that we could leave high-school behind. Mike, you are welcome to make judgements about people on whatever criteria you choose. So can Peter, and Alex and Erica and Megan, and everyone else! It's not-so-much cool, tho, to call people out as "slovenly slobs" and "unprofessional" based on those aforementioned personal criteria. Or saying that they are degrading the profession that you aspire to and love.

If you didn't see these "slobs", would you be less offended by what the "thought leaders" presented? Did you think they were smart before you saw them? Do you dismiss the writing in Street Sense because the authors are homeless, dressed poorly or without teeth? Do you think that Lady Gaga is not a musician because she wears a suit of bubbles? Do you take Secretary of State Hillary Clinton less seriously because she showed cleavage (http://is.gd/cVEea)? Do you think most people who look old doesn't use the internet?

Of course you don't! While I acknowledge that people do make judgements on outward appearances ALL THE TIME, I want to call *you* out on not looking beyond the surface and cultivating this behavior. If we want to make a world in which we judge based on people's contributions, we need to make that world.

Mike, speaking from the above 30 side, you will realize that there is no reason for you to feel embarrassed by what other people wear or say--it's the quality of the work that counts. And, that you can only be embarrassed for things that you do.
cheers!

actually, emily, generations and dress codes are connected. one of the interesting things i see is that the millennials (born 1982 -2002) are going to have make decisions about what they value. they are notorious to other generations for lacking in soft skills (punctuality, appropriate dress, people skills) in the workplace. yet, as a generation, they are a "common man" and "average joe" generation. last time the generation cycled through, they became the "squares" in midlife against which they're children rebelled.

and generations move in and out of relationships to traditional gender roles. millennials are moving toward more distinction of genders. ref the women pushing their breasts out for all the world to see and men wearing more ties and jackets.

the gentleman who wrote this post is a FIRST YEAR millennial. in other words, i'd say watch him for coming trends about how young adults will redefine their own generational definitions of what is considered appropriate.

#my2cents

Thanks for reading and commenting, Ashley! I like that you addressed the "either/or" point - dressing well doesn't mean you aren't creative or not focused on work, and vice versa. Comfort is important, for sure, but put yourself in your audience's seat. How do you think your appearance makes them feel about you?

Bottom line, anyone can wear whatever they want. But just know that people WILL judge you because of it. If you can handle the reaction, wear your birthday suit!

Thanks for your compliment on my content -- which, ironically, is what
I presumed most people would be paying attention to. ;)

Your concern for burnishing the image of social media, as pertaining
to those who may form judgments about the industry based on our
appearance and conduct, is valid. But images are, and always have
been, a fallacy. Images are what we project when we don't believe our
content can withstand scrutiny on its own -- especially from people
with preconceived notions.

When we were all blogging, podcasting and otherwise inventing web
media in the first half of the '00s, wardrobe wasn't a concern because
*no one* was paying attention. Now that businesses are involved,
there's an obvious concern that paying customers won't take a
practitioner -- or, by extension, an entire field -- seriously if we
don't resemble "traditional" business models.

I say: be my guest.

Companies and individuals who focus on goals, processes and content
tend to look past the packaging, or at least realize that the
packaging is a secondary sales tactic when compared to actual merit,
meaning and quality. If a company can't get past the way information
is being presented, or who's presenting it, they have the choice to
hire someone else or to ignore that solution completely.

Which means someone else will fill that gap.

Social media won't collapse because someone spoke onstage in jeans,
shorts or a kimono. Social media will collapse when no one produces
content or results that matter. Everything else is just packaging,
and packaging can't keep shit on the shelves.

That said, flip the coin: do you trust everyone who wears a suit? Of
course not, but you're more likely to trust someone in a suit because
of the impression that they "pay attention to details," "go the extra
mile," and are successful enough to dress like that.

Wearing a suit makes it easier to be trusted. NOT wearing a suit --
or, in my case, wearing an outfit you could find at Target with your
eyes closed -- makes it easier to be dismissed. We all make choices
that help our audience self-select.

But the time we spend obsessing over how our products and results
*look* would be better spent making our products and results *better*.
And when what you do works, even the naysayers have to take you --
and your industry -- seriously, or risk getting passed over by those
who do.

[And I think this is the last word I'll say about all this. Although,
if you're wondering what I *really* think about wardrobes and pricing,
I summed it all up here in January:
http://www.justinkownacki.com/2010/01/08/the-4-...
]

I put a lot of thought into that rant.

If you want to be treated as a professional, act and dress like one, esp. in DC. If the dress says "casual" and you're in the Florida Keys, have fun --

Justin--

Thanks for reading and commenting. I very much appreciate it. I do feel like I understand your point better, so I thank you for avoiding the unproductive name-calling others have gone to.

The honest truth is this: I felt your content at #140conf was the most relevant to me of any other presenter. Everyone was great, but I had a great respect for the thought you put into social media programs. The Bigelow Tea case study was brilliant!

My issue is this: the way you presented yourself made it that much harder for me to accept your credibility. Right or wrong, when you dressed so casual, you had to work extra hard in order to be a credible presenter, in my eyes. And, judging from some of the other comments here, I'm was not alone.

The concern isn't for your business model (and I'm very glad to hear things are going well for you) - it's for the overall perception of our shared industry.

It would be phenomenal if we could all be judged by content and not appearance, but until we get to hear what someone has to say, appearance is pretty much all we have to go on.

I hope this clarifies where I'm coming from - and I'd love to talk more about it!

Thanks and have a great weekend,
Mike

There's a difference between "a suit" and style, Justin. I found your attire as a speaker sloppy, so it made me wonder about how you work and interact with people. I'm so for comfort and easing the stuffiness with which corporations engage with customers ... so much so that, like you, it's the world in which I work and the services I provide.

Me? My trick with casual clothing is quality material. A wrinkled skirt made of 100% linen is really different than a casual, cheap summer skirt purchased at (fill-in-the-blank) chain store in the mall.

You just didn't demonstrate any style (in my book) in your presentation. And I think that was your missed opportunity. A simple cotton shirt and a pair of linen shorts, for example, would have made a difference.

I don't think it's true that you -- or anyone -- believes design and style aren't a part of communication. I'm not about stuffiness or rules. But every word in a tweet, every design element in a blog, and every element of clothing does add up to an expression in a moment of time.

It's not that casual (slovenly and sloppy to somewhat quote another) clothing makes your message less important or valuable. Only that it makes a statement about you because it was your choice. That's all.

#my2cents

As one of the casually dressed "offenders" at #140conf, I presume this is where I'm supposed to defend my wardrobe choice and become embroiled in a heated battle of image vs. perception vs. reality. But, if I'm willing to present at a conference while wearing cargo shorts and sandals, you probably already know what I think about dress codes, rules and publicly-mandated professionalism.

However, I will say this: I make a living from what I know and what I do. This means numerous people are willing to pay me for my knowledge, expertise and execution. And when people automatically discount me because my solutions don't come wrapped in a suit, that actually makes both of our lives easier. In that case, you're free to hire someone you're more comfortable with, and I don't have to work with a company whose slavish adherence to impractical standards and concerns about tradition are going to limit my ability to innovate.

You're welcome to your opinion, as I am to mine. We all make shorthand judgments about others based on a variety of factors. Wardrobe is one. What we choose to make a stand about is another. I wish you well in finding more ways to do what you love, but feel free to consider the occasional idea from people who don't look like what you'd expect an expert to look like. They just might be on to something.

Maybe they had pants on, Mike, and you just couldn't see them?

True,

I completely agree with how the industry should portray itself. It would be a travesty if we all went to client meetings in jeans and shirts. On the other note, with facebook...

Currently I'm reading The Facebook Effect, which is a great book by the way. It is interesting to read from a non-partisan point of view. It discusses the privacy issues to an in depth degree. I'd like to argue that the privacy issues are ones that have been mis-read or guided on both users and Facebook's part. I will say, however, that their intentions were not that of gaining anything of users information. It is an interesting and entertaining read, I suggest it to you, sir.

Who HASN'T seen or heard it?! Mike's not a whiner, never has been - online or in person. One should be allowed to make a point or point out a dislike without been branded a negative person. We have ALL vented at one point about something. Those in glass houses should not throw stones...

But isn't that what dress codes do over time and generations? Evolve and change? I pointed this out earlier, but dress codes were far different in the 40's & 50's. Even more different back in the 'powdered wig' days. And damn if I want to lace myself into a corset for a formal function, so I'm glad they've evolved, and would like to continue to see them do so.

No, I do not think you're over re-acting. I'll tell you why: I attended two conferences and they were both social media based with very different 'dress codes.'

I attended the #140conf and I saw the SAME thing you did. I also attended the Mashable Summit and saw quite the opposite by MOST of the attendees. Not all of them.

When I went to the MTV Youth Ball for Obama's inauguration, the dress code was "ballroom" and there were people who showed up in cocktail dresses.

There is a difference, but I would imagine, it's never been pointed out to some people, by no fault of their own.

I think the core issue and problem is an unhealthy mix of lack of dress education as well as pure laziness and lack of propriety and well...shame, for a lack of a better term.

Perhaps it was the way I was raised, but I completely agree with you: no excuses, no exceptions.

It's something that has gone lax in the past few years as the generations have grown and progressed.

Then again, that's just me.

Great post Mike and definitely a good thing to consider. I'm glad to be not quite as heated about the issue as many of the comments - but it did allow me to think of an interesting subject (dress code) in a new way.

I appreciate the idea of dressing in a way that makes you comfortable. If I could I would wear leggings, big tshirts, and tennis shoes all the time (you know and if it was still the 80s). There are other things to consider though than just comfort, such as the comfort of those around you. What if your surgeon wanted to wear jeans with holes in them instead of scrubs? What if you prefer wearing a swimsuit to work? I know I'm maybe going to the extreme but the point is it is nice to dress to the environment you are in. If you're at your office or home office and it's cool to wear jeans and flip flops - do it. If you are going in to meet with a client at a company with a more professional dress code then show that you put in some effort to meet their standards. Know your audience. That isn't just a PR thing - that's a life thing. In social media you respond to your audience just the same.

It seems a lot of people seem to take it that dressing nicely means you are trying to cover up some inadequacy or are acting like a d-bag. I'm not sure that I get that. I like hey_love's comment - you don't have to wear a suit but it is important that the people you are presenting to or working with are not so distracted by what you are or are not wearing that they lose sight of what you are saying.

There are still social norms and one of them is dressing to fit within the culture of your environment as a sign of respect and effort. When you visit a host's home in Japan would you insist upon keeping on your shoes just because it makes you more comfortable? Consider the people with whom you are interacting and compromise to find a middle ground that will work well enough for all.

On a side note - there are also still social norms when it comes to how you respond to people you disagree with. Making an argument and/or counterargument is fine. Making a thoughtless rant that does not add value undermines any point you have been trying to make in the first place.

Exactly! And, until I can know you better or see your results, appearance is one major thing I have to go on.

You know, that's a good point. The difference between communicators and techies. I agree with being judged by results, but we just don't live in a world where people don't judge a book by its cover, unfortunately.

Well said, Erica!

Thanks for stopping by, Gini! I'm speaking at an event next week. Maybe I'll pull out the ol' tuxedo :)

I've seen an interesting divide in the response between Tech Folks and PR Folks. Not shockingly, it seems like the PR folks tend to be more image conscious. But the tech folks have a valid point in being judged by results, not appearance.

Personally, I lean more towards the PR side, but respect the opposition, as long as they realize I will judge them, in part, by their appearance.

I agree with your mom!

Sure! It's been rather interesting for me, especially since I've actually had to really clarify how I feel about this, after reading other people's opinions. I've gone back and forth on the matter a few times, actually. :) Part of me wants to be idealistic and say "You can wear what you want as long as you're good" but I know that's kind of too much to really ask of society, and sometimes you have to play by 'their' rules to get by. I can also think of situations where I myself would judge someone for wearing an inappropriate outfit.

So thanks for the forum in which to discuss this! I hadn't seen your site before, but I'll probably pay more attention to it in the future. :)

Emily - thank you so much for your contributions to this discussion! I really appreciate your perspective here. Complex issue, for sure!

Tiffany--

Thanks for stopping by! In the comments and chatter over the past 24 hours, I've noticed a REAL difference in thoughts between the tech folks and the PR folks. Intriguing! Especially as the industries continue to cross-over...

OMG! I LOVE YOU! I blogged about this very topic a couple of weeks ago. And, while about 80% of comments agreed with me, the 20% who did not agree were rude, called me names, and were downright unprofessional. A couple of people even blogged about it separately and called me really awful names.

Since the blog post, I've spoken at a couple of conferences where my peers really teased me about the idea that you should dress up to speak. Of course, the ones teasing me were wearing jeans. Not to say jeans can't look good with a blazer and button down or a sweater and tie. I just think jeans or shorts are not appropriate for speaking, when people are there to learn from you, as an expert.

You don't necessarily have to wear a suit, but you should always dress one level above your audience. As my mom always says, it's better to be over-dressed than under-dressed.

I agree with Peter and co. - for certain audiences and types of conferences (Unconference, camp, etc.) - then more casual dress is appropriate. Also, what you wear doesn't necessarily reflect what you do. When I saw Peter and some of the other organizers - I thought....those are awesome people who do great things for the DC community -- not "who is that dude in the shorts?" And, for the record - I have seen Peter dressed up and he cleans up nicely. :) Tech Titans award I believe.

Point is this - I wouldn't take bad advice from a schmuck in a suit, but I WOULD take good advice from a guy in shorts. Look at @JustinKownacki yesterday -- he had a great presentation which I enjoyed and agreed with. And, he was wearing shorts etc. It's about your words and actions as much as what you wear. And part of that is being comfortable in your own skin, and confident that what you have to say is meaningful. I'd much rather hear from someone like that than someone suited up with not a lot of substance.

I do think that DC can be stuffy with clothing choices, and agree with @heylovedc that there is a time and a place to class it up. Maybe it's an East Cost vs. West Coast battle too.

We could argue around in circles - but as the anti-confrontation, I like everybody party here -- I say that you must consider your audience. For something like the #140conf and #DCWeek -- jeans, shorts, etc. were totally fine.

I want to point out that we're talking about two different subjects here.

1) What you should wear if you are 24 and trying to be taken seriously at work.

2) What you are allowed to wear if you have successfully formed your own company/have been labeled as an 'expert' in some field, and have been asked to present your expertise and learning at a conference.

If you're trying to move up in the ranks of a company who has a culture of dressing in business wear, then yes, you probably need to 'dress for the job you want'.

But once you HAVE that job and have earned the respect of others, I think you're allowed a little more slack.

I might be 22 years old, but I have always been taught to follow the adage "Dress for the job you want." Social media professionals might be able to enjoy more creative and laid-back atmospheres than other working professionals, but dressing too informally can takes away from the seriousness of the work that's being done through social media. I think this is particularly important for millennials who strive to be taken seriously in the workplace. Wardrobe may seem trivial, and it may not be ideal, but appearance plays an important role in perception both in and out of the workplace.

I can agree with that. I didn't see the exact outfit in question, so I really can't comment specifically on it, but I do think that you can take 'casual dressing' too far. If I show up in daisy dukes, and a tshirt tied in a knot, I'm pretty sure I should expect that no one is going to take my ideas seriously. But there's a lot of middle ground between that and a suit.

And maybe some of this comes from working in So Cal for most of my professional career. Jeans and a nice top were fine for a lot of things there, where as DC seems to have a very 'uptight librarian' look for women that I despise. I'd like to see this city become a little more relaxed in that aspect.

Douche Bag is a anthropological catagory and meme in social media. The nuance may have escaped some:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSP8xm_gaK4

Mike wanted a big response. He got it. If he wanted respect he didn't.