- In 2024, tech executives will be noticed for their style.
- As the weather warms up, tech workers should also consider rethinking their attire.
- Fashion experts suggested brighter colours and more accessories this summer to make an impact.
Top players in the tech industry are switching over to summer style, and employees should follow suit if they want to dress to impress.
From accessorizing like Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos to opting for sporty attire like Bill Gates and Sergey Brin, there are plenty of ways to express personal style outside of the typical tech industry uniform of jeans and a T-shirt.
Unlike finance employees, who typically must maintain a more professional demeanor, the tech industry is known for its relaxed dress codes and emphasis on an open workplace culture (though this has been changing in recent years).
Still, tech workers are starting to hire stylists to improve the way they dress for work, some willing to shell out tens of thousands of dollars to look better, but others aren’t giving up their favorite T-shirts anytime soon, stylists told the San Francisco Standard.
“It’s much easier to keep your wardrobe updated when you can try something new and get a compliment from someone right after,” image consultant Eddie Hernandez told SF Standard.
As Meta and other companies have brought employees back to the office over the past year, employees will likely need to update their attire for working in person.
Here’s what fashion experts think tech workers should wear this summer.
Ditch the grey tones and bring in colour
There is no black, white or grey anymore.
Hernandez told SF Standard that he’s encouraging clients to steer clear of the drab hues that are “prevalent in San Francisco” and urges them to opt for colorful options instead in 2024.
As temperatures rise, workers may want to put away their shackets and don more typically tech-forward T-shirts.
For customers looking for a more upscale option, Hernandez recommended North Project’s $80 Niels Standard T-shirts, while new hires looking to save money can find similar styles for less at Uniqlo and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Gates appears to have gotten the memo, opting for sporty, breathable shorts and Adidas sneakers while off-duty for Zuckerberg’s 40th birthday party.
Discover how to stay cool in style
Showing up to work in jean shorts and a tank top might not be well received, even at the most laid-back tech companies.
Save that for the weekend and find ways to stay cool on your commute and still look stylish at the office. Cosmopolitan’s summer office fashion roundup focuses on maxi dresses, wide-leg jumpsuits, and lightweight dress shirts.
Loose-fitting, breathable clothing will catch the breeze and keep you cool while still complying with corporate dress codes.
Don’t be afraid to accessorize
Tech workers can take a lesson from Zuckerberg on how jewelry can elevate their look: the Mehta CEO has become a trending meme ever since adding a necklace to his outfit.
“As we head into summer, we think we’ll see entry-level tech users start wearing sleek, understated watches,” Carol Altieri, chief operating officer at Bob’s Watches, told Business Insider.
For high-income earners looking for a “clean, understated look,” Altieri recommends starting a watch collection with a Rolex Explorer, which starts at about $7,000.
Jewellery brand Ritani told BI that to go with your watch, tennis bracelets and necklaces are an on-trend way to elevate an outfit.
Lia Papsifakis, vice president of e-commerce at Ritani, said X CEO Linda Yaccarino wears white gold jewelry and is a good example of the trend toward chunky bracelets.
“We call it the ‘powerhouse’ look,” Papasifakis told BI.
On February 28, Axel Springer, the parent company of Business Insider, along with 31 other media groups, filed a $2.3 billion lawsuit against Google in a Dutch court, alleging damages caused by the company’s advertising practices.
