The Wall Street Journal-20080124-Style- Ask Teri
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Style: Ask Teri
[Fashion reporter Teri Agins answers readers' questions]
Q: I often meet professionals with multiple technology items (phones, PDAs, pagers, etc.) hanging from their belts, a flash drive on a lanyard around their neck, carrying a bag loaded with a laptop and other devices to places where those items aren't needed. The impression I get is that of a geek or techie, when I know they want to be considered professionals. What do you suggest?
-- T.L., Pasadena, Calif.
A: We are lucky to live in the age of cellphones, PDAs and other electronic helpers -- all small enough to tote around with us all the time. But too many folks have gotten tethered to their techie toys -- particularly men, who typically don't carry purses, like to have their gear within easy reach, and can't be bothered with retooling their look when they leave the office. It's understandable if you have a tech-heavy position, like the support desk, when you need to be ready, like a fireman with tools dangling from every belt loop.
But as soon as you start socializing with work colleagues, you need to make a switch out of your trinket-laden "uniform." Store your headsets and Bluetooth earpieces in your pocket or your laptop case. As long as the clip-on holster for your BlackBerry is worn far to one side (it's more hidden that way) and at your natural waistline (not sagging under your gut) you'll look polished, rather than resembling Mr. Fix-It. After hours, try to limit yourself to one gadget on your belt.
Meanwhile, too many of us have lost all sense of decorum: It's rude -- and looks uncool -- to keep glancing down, fidgeting, text- messaging and monitoring email. Be an attentive guest and shut off your devices for a while. You'll be forced to tune into the world that surrounds you.
Q: Anyone who presses their jeans is suspect in my book. Too fussy, not relaxed. What the heck are jeans for anyway? Pressing jeans are for a guy with too much time on his hands. Take 'em out of the dryer, fold nicely, end of story. Is this a New York thing?
-- P.C., Tustin, Calif.
A: If you wear jeans for cleaning out the garage or knocking around the house, it's understandable that you want them to look informal: slightly oversize for comfort, faded and even somewhat wrinkled. But as more people regard their $100 and up "premium" jeans as fine trousers, they like their jeans pressed, even dry-cleaned, so they always look crisp. But the center crease down the pants leg is optional. I happen to prefer jeans ironed straight across so that the crease falls on the outer seam of the pant leg. Pressed jeans aren't just a New York thing. My friends in Texas send their jeans to the laundry, with a request for heavy starch.
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