Work Attire - Tying top button on shirt

Dan133269

Hello people,

Would just like your thoughts on this. I work for a financial association (nothing to do with causing crash, I'm not even in Ireland). Usually it's formal wear in work. Before a meeting last week I was wearing shirt and tie, the boss told me to tie the top button on my shirt, I duly obliged. I was only thinking about it afterwards because as I see it what is the big deal. I had an interview with a large solicitors firm in Dublin last year, on my way out of the interview I met a solicitor in the lift who asked me was I there for an interview, I said yes and he said "I'll give you 1 piece of advice, push up that tie".

The thing is, I must have a very large neck in proportion to the rest of my body because closing the top button on some of my shirts is literally impossible, without it breaking off, and on the ones where I can close it after a struggle it is seriously uncomfortable and interfering with my breathing it is so tight. It's not really a problem in work as that was only a once off incident, but I want to make sure I'm not at a disadvantage in future interviews by not having my top button closed.

Any thoughts?

Fajitas!

Get a shirt with a wider collar, that will comfortably allow you to close it. If the shirt is too big for you, try one of the slimmer cuts.

desertcircus

I feel your pain, I've a 44-inch chest and an 18-inch neck. Zara's skinny fit shirts tend to work quite well, although you may need to double back the cuffs, and H&M do good ones as well - although I still have problems doing up the top button on theirs.

Fajitas!

They'll (most likely) be more expensive, but have you tried shopping in places like Pinks and TM Lewins? You'll be able to buy a shorter sleeve, so you won't have to double back.

the_syco

Dan133269 wrote: »

I was only thinking about it afterwards because as I see it what is the big deal. I had an interview with a large solicitors firm in Dublin last year, on my way out of the interview I met a solicitor in the lift who asked me was I there for an interview, I said yes and he said "I'll give you 1 piece of advice, push up that tie".

The top button being opened looks a tad bit more "casual". You mention that you find it difficult to close the top button, and iof so, you should follow the advice given to you, and "push up" your tie to hide the open button.

Also, most shirt sizes are measured by neck size, so get a measuring tape, ane measure the width of your neck to help find shirts that are comfortable to wear.

Dan133269

I should probably add I don't think I've ever had a shirt where I could tie the top button comfortably, even in school.

Yes, I'm very conscious to have my tie reasonably tight and pushed up as high as it can go, to look formal. Maybe on those 2 occasions it probably slipped down.

As regards buying custom made shirts or anything like that, at the moment I don't have the money and even if I did I certainly wouldn't agree with it. I don't like having to go out of your way just for other people when you feel fine with your dress. My point of the thread I suppose, I just think it is bizarre and a little bit backward that appearance takes precedence over functionality in certain situations. I understand the importance of looking formal in appropriate situations, but not to the extent where you compromise your ability to do the whole point of the job in the first place i.e. communicate. Just interested in peoples' opinions rather than advice, but thanks for the replies thus far.

Marcusm

If you're going to wear a tie then you should wear it properly particularly for interviews; doing otherwise allows people to be distracted away from the meat of the matter - your abilities. You wouldn't but a shirt that you couldn't close across your belly so do likewise with your collar.

If you don't like wearing a tie you'll likely find that many of your colleagues in such firms ditch them too. However, if it's part of the corporate culture wear it at least for the interview!!

In my last job (large bank, seniorish position), the head of investment banking decreed that ties should not be worn on the trading floors. If he was meeting a regulator or a big client, his secretary had a large selection of very expensive ties to choose between.

CrazySka

There is a certain protocol in formal wear and that means having the top button closed.
If you cant get s shirt where that feels comfortable then I recommend going to a shop that sells suits and measures shirts by neck size rather than Small-Medium-Large, the shirts there will fit better.
Those shirts dont have to be custom made or anything like that in fact even Dunnes and Marks sell them, get someone there to measure your neck.

mikemac

Any shop like Marks and Spensers will be able to measure your neck and sort you out

If you've some cash and want to splash out you can get custom made shirts ordered at a menswear shop

Shelflife

You dont even have to splash out, as a rugby prop my neck size was disproportionate to the rest of my fantastic physic . buy a few decent shirts with the proper neck size and most decent clothes shops have an alteration facility that will nip and tuck the sleeves /body of the shirt.

It may be unfair but i would view an unbuttoned shirt on a man with a suit in an unfavourable light.

Jim2007

Dan133269 wrote: »

Hello people,

Would just like your thoughts on this. I work for a financial association (nothing to do with causing crash, I'm not even in Ireland). Usually it's formal wear in work. Before a meeting last week I was wearing shirt and tie, the boss told me to tie the top button on my shirt, I duly obliged. I was only thinking about it afterwards because as I see it what is the big deal. I had an interview with a large solicitors firm in Dublin last year, on my way out of the interview I met a solicitor in the lift who asked me was I there for an interview, I said yes and he said "I'll give you 1 piece of advice, push up that tie".

The thing is, I must have a very large neck in proportion to the rest of my body because closing the top button on some of my shirts is literally impossible, without it breaking off, and on the ones where I can close it after a struggle it is seriously uncomfortable and interfering with my breathing it is so tight. It's not really a problem in work as that was only a once off incident, but I want to make sure I'm not at a disadvantage in future interviews by not having my top button closed.

Any thoughts?

Well as I see it you have three options:

- Move to Switzerland, were casual dress is the standard - The last time I had a tie on was on my wedding day over 20 years ago

- Be so dam good at what you do that no one will care

- Be eccentric, wear bow tie or cravat



I used to work at a law practice in Dublin where a certain individual always wore one to work and in the winter a cape was added No one ever commented and he eventually made partner!

Jim

Dan133269

Thanks for advice Jim. I certainly won't be doing the latter option though

padthelad

Hi Dan,
As an owner of a menswear store I understand your plight and come across this everyday.
I feel that in a formal setting one's top button should not look open, I think that it kinda gives off "hard day in the office" look.
This problem can easily overcome by purchasing a decent slim fitting shirt in a collor size that's comfortable.
The problem with going into H&M and the like is that their slim shirts are usually very, very slim and then the sleeves tend to be too long.
Also, if you do need to open the top button, make sure that you wear a chunky tie so that it hides the undone button.
Go into any independent menswear store to get advice (its free!!).
I believe that feeling comfortable is first and foremost for men but this can be achieved no matter how formal you dress.
Hope this helps

Delancey

Dunno if it's just me but I always associate an open top button while wearing a suit with people suffering from hangovers :pac:

Manach

Slightly jocular suggestion, change to an IT role - then you can get slagged off for wearing a shirt

BostonB

Manach wrote: »

Slightly jocular suggestion, change to an IT role - then you can get slagged off for wearing a shirt

Or shoes...

I think people have got used to buying off the shelf in mainstream store. Which stock only a very limited range of the popular sizes. As others suggested, you'd be better going to a regular store and and getting measured.

du Maurier

Yeah, some shirts can be a nightmare to button up to the top. What you can do is leave it open but rest the unbuttoned area on itself but push up the tie to cover it. That way it's not even noticeable even to scutiny and gives you a bit of space. You can always loosen the tie a little when you're in more relaxed environs in the workplace.

du Maurier

the_syco wrote: »

The top button being opened looks a tad bit more "casual". You mention that you find it difficult to close the top button, and iof so, you should follow the advice given to you, and "push up" your tie to hide the open button.

Also, most shirt sizes are measured by neck size, so get a measuring tape, ane measure the width of your neck to help find shirts that are comfortable to wear.

Ahh, you got in before me there