A New York Times piece looks at The Power Of Apparel and why many of the world’s most famous CEOs feel the need to dress down and wear similar outfits repeatedly. Here’s a snippet:
Today, corporate executives have a wider choice of what to wear than ever before. Yet the bare-bones personal uniform is being seen in some corner offices as the ultimate power suit. “I always used to feel sorry for them,” David Wolfe, creative director of the trend-forecasting company the Doneger Group, said of the single-outfit executives. “Now, maybe, I think they’re smart.” He added, “How do you stand out if everybody’s trendy? The only way is to be beyond the trend.”Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive of Facebook, wears hoodies and sneakers.Andrea Jung, chief executive of Avon Products, sticks with sleeveless sheaths — often red — and pearls. The television personality Simon Cowell and the fashion designer Roberto Cavalli wear jeans, T-shirts and black blazers. Steven P. Jobs, the chief executive of Apple, wears New Balance sneakers, Levi’s and black mock turtlenecks, while Lawrence J. Ellison, the chief of Oracle, dons black mock turtlenecks, usually topped with a blazer.
Each CEO has their own reason for their outfit choices, Steve Jobs for example is said to be sending the message that he’s not special and de-emphasize individuality at Apple which specializes in the team approach.
Buying expensive clothes is only fun when you can’t afford them or is it when you’re filthy rich you have bigger things to waste your money on?
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