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I work in Big Tech and always dress up for the office. My rule? No crop ...
Crystal McDuffy works in Big Tech and feels that dressing up for work has helped her career. Courtesy of Crystal McDuffy via TikTok 2026-04-05T09:05:01.238Z Crystal McDuffy is a 28-year-old marketing manager at a Big Tech company. She started interning in Big Tech during college and has worked at the same company for 6 years. She believes a certain level of polish signals competence, even in casual tech settings. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Crystal McDuffy, a 28-year-old marketing manager based in New York. The following has been edited for length and clarity. I've always known that I wanted to work in tech. I felt that tech would bring me closer to the people and energy I wanted to be around — exciting, innovative, and interesting.Although the dress code in tech is generally lax, my mom, who works in human resources, taught me about corporate culture and appropriate dress from a young age. I also felt that, as a Black woman, I couldn't get away with dressing casually in the same way some of my colleagues could.My level of polish isn't typical for people entering tech, but it feels necessary to me. I've found that the way you dress definitely shapes your outcomes.I've been promoted twice, and my first rating ever at the company was a Superb, the highest rating the company offered at the time. Crystal McDuffy loves dressing up for work. Courtesy of Crystal McDuffy via TikTok I landed a Big Tech internship, which turned into a full-time jobWhen I was in college, a Big Tech company had a recruitment event on my campus. Afterward, I immediately applied for an internship with the company. I showed my application and résumé to a few mentors who had worked at similar companies, and after a bit of tweaking, I sent everything in. I had three behavioral and case interviews, all virtual, and then got an offer a few weeks later.After the internship ended in 2018, we were first in line to interview for full-time roles. There was a similar interview process as for the internship, but this time with the addition of a writing assignment and an in-person interview.A few weeks later, I found out I'd gotten the job. Going into my senior year of college with a job offer was a huge relief. After graduating, I started as an associate product marketing manager at the company in September 2019.I make the effort to look polishedI started dressing up because I really like office wear. I grew up watching my parents wear office clothes, and I thought...
What Should I Wear? The Ultimate Guide to Workplace Dress Codes (2026)
Dressing for work can be tricky, whether you’re in the office or working remotely. This guide is designed to help you navigate dressing for your professional environment, how to gain confidence in asking for help and how to build a work-ready wardrobe.Every office has different dress codes and culture, and the rise in remote and hybrid work brought by the pandemic has accelerated changes and norms. Even if your internship site has a documented dress code, it may not be up-to-date with fashions and social perspectives, making it still a challenge to figure out what to wear.The good news is, putting together a work wardrobe doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. We’ve compiled the things you need to know about dressing for work, along with some tips and tricks to feeling professional and comfortable at the office.Do Your ResearchEveryone wants to make a good first impression, and that all starts with how you present yourself during your interview and on your first day. Knowing what to wear in a new work environment can be a challenge, but there are a few steps you can take to help.Ask!There’s nothing wrong with an email to or conversation with your supervisor asking what the company’s dress code policy is and what people usually wear to work. Not every company will have a documented dress code or it may be outdated. There may also be different expectations for dress at events or certain days that are more casual than others.There is nothing weird or inappropriate about asking what people usually wear.Check the Website and Social MediaYou can often find some clues on a company’s “about us” page or on their social media account. Look for pictures of the team around the office or at events to see what they’re wearing.ObserveDuring your interview (whether it’s virtual or in person) take some notes on what the people you’re interviewing with are wearing.It's also important that you not just align with dress code or expectations, but that you are comfortable. You may find that you commute in hot and humid weather, but then work in an office with the AC running arctic cold. Observe or ask others for ways to stay comfortable, such as keeping a sport coat or even a sweater at the office, if possible, and commute in something more comfortable based on the weather.Take NotesOnce you’re in the office (or on the video calls), look around and see what all your colleagues are wearing. Find the person (or people) you most want to emulate and take your outfit inspirati...
How to Choose the Perfect Office Attire for Women - Growoons
Identifying your workplace's dress code is the first step in figuring out how to choose office attire for women. In my experience, many women overlook this essential step, leading to a mismatch between their outfits and the intended attire standard.
Not A 'Suit Guy'? Here are 5 Tips for Wearing Jeans to the Office
Such a versatile fabric is perfectly suited to build an elevated smart casual look as we start heading back into the office. Denim is a mainstay of the smart casual vocabulary because it can be styled in so many different ways, while also being highly durable; investing in the right pair of jeans can yield years of wear. As fall comes on and return-to-office rules get stricter, we put together ...
