This is so interesting. I’m thinking about the times when I’ve gone to initial client meetings–ad agencies mostly–in biz casual attire and the person I was meeting with was in sneakers and jeans (guy or girl…and not even on casual Friday!). Still, I’d rather be a bit overdressed than not, especially at the first meeting.

Sounds like a double standard to me — but it seems to be one we’re perpetuating on our own. Or is that the definition of a double standard?

I hardly ever get out of the office, so I somewhat welcome the opportunity to swap my yoga pants (my usual uniform) for nicer clothes. It’s sort of like a special occasion. I do the same whenever my husband and I have a date night.

Occasionally I’ve had clients where a dress up look would have seemed out of place. For instance, when I’ve written for personal trainers, I’ve shown up in gym attire, which usually comes in handy when they want to use me as the guinea pig.

I do think that, for whatever reason, a guy can more easily pull of the jeans and a T shirt thing than a woman can. I don’t know if this is a bias or if it’s has more to do with body shape. It doesn’t look quite as messy on them. T shirts look like PJs on women. I guess it has something to do with the breasts? Not sure.

I’m with Marthaandme, my husband is in a creative industry and if he were to wear a suit to work, he’d actually damage his image. Jeans are business attire in his field. But having recently done some on-sight work at a marketing company I can tell you that everyone–men and women could wear jeans, but I noticed that more of the women tended to go a little dressier. Maybe, we just like to be a little dressier? But as others have pointed out, it’s all about the client so I think you’re wise to base your dress on what’s appropriate for the situation.

I’m with Jennifer–I don’t often have in-person meetings, but when I do, I’m happy for the chance to dress up a bit. I like to get creative with my wardrobe and still look professional, so I usually go for the dressy/stylish look. It’s hard for me to say if there’s a difference between genders since the few times I’ve also met with a designer they’ve been female, and we’ve both been dressed in a similar fashion.

One thing I have noticed though is that it’s also a regional thing. I just moved from Miami to Austin. Miami was a much dressier town–I wouldn’t even think about going to a networking event in jeans or flat shoes–but Austin is more laid back.

Jesaka, I’m with you! I always try to dress up for in-person meetings. However, I used to do a lot of copywriting for a fashion retailer and when I went to their offices, my primary goal was to look stylish, like I was in the know, rather than looking too businessy. I think there’s a way to do that with dark jeans and not too much skin, but it totally depends on your audience. I wouldn’t rock the knee boots or the big earrings at a law firm or a bank, but I knew I’d look like right at home in this particular office. (And yes, there were graphic designers who wore that exact outfit you described to this company.)

Jesaka, I TOTALLY agree with you about dressing appropriately for the client. I actually tend to dress up a bit no matter what (since my face to face meetings are so rare and I’m so happy to be having them! So much of what I do is virtual…)

I haven’t noticed a gender bias/split but maybe that’s because I don’t know THAT many male freelancers? The ones I know, though, also tend to dress in business formal or casual clothing for work-related in-person meetings.

I think it is very important that freelancers take themselves seriously as business people, and that their clients do as well. Hence the emphasis on dressing nicely.