The Geek’s No-Fuss Guide to Better Dressing

June 28th, 2007, 19 Comments »

By reputation, IT professionals are lousy dressers. Wander into any software development office, and you’ll be able to verify this first-hand. You’ll see plenty of sneakers, jeans and shabby, XML.com ‘98 t-shirts. You may even spot a few utility belts.

It doesn’t have to be this way. I’ve got a strategy for improving the average geek’s wardrobe. This approach should appeal because it’s:

  • Simple
  • Brief
  • Reliable

It’s “What Not to Wear” meets Linux.

Before I continue, some disclaimers:

  1. Lord knows that I’m no fashion plate.
  2. There are plenty of geeks who do dress distinctly and impressively. This article isn’t for them.
  3. There are plenty of non-geeks who are shabby dressers. This article applies to them, too.
  4. There are plenty of girl geeks, shabby and sharp dressers alike. The general philosophy may apply to you, but the specifics probably don’t.

Read more…

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In Praise of My MEC Shirt

May 11th, 2007, 5 Comments »

Darren at Our DoorBack in September, 1999, we were going on a three-week trip to Costa Rica. In preparation, I wanted to buy a light, quick-drying, long-sleeved (for sun and bugs) shirt for the trip. I bought such a garment at Mountain Equipment Co-op in Vancouver (along with a compass, which was a great boon when I got lost in the cloud forest).

Today I was bringing in the laundry and thought to myself, “man, this shirt is nearly eight years old.” Most of my clothes don’t last more than two years. I have nephews younger than that shirt.

Thinking back, I believe that shirt’s been to Costa Rica, Cuba, South Africa, Ireland, Wales and France. And now it’s in Malta.

It ain’t the most stylish shirt in the world, but it’s durable and seems to dry in about an hour. I’ve had other clothes from MEC, but this is definitely my favourite. They don’t seem to make it anymore, but this badboy seems like it’s fairly close to the original.

5 Comments »