Posted by Oldbie_CA on 12/1/04 1:57pm
Msg #12440

Dress Code

Hello Everyone,

For any of you in the more casual So. Cal., do you always dress business or do you sometimes dress more casual (nice jeans and a nice blouse or shirt). I've been tempted to wear jeans sometimes when I'm doing late evening signings.

I'm just curious.

Reply by Jon on 12/1/04 2:02pm
Msg #12444

I will assume from your mention of a blouse, that you are female. I'm a male so my clothing will be a little different, but I always wear slacks or dress pants with a button up shirt. Sometimes a tie, sometimes not depending on time of day and area I'm going to. Weekends I will usually wear casual slacks and a nice polo. I have worn nice jeans, but only on a weekend, and not very often.

Reply by CaliNotary on 12/1/04 2:03pm
Msg #12445

I use "business casual" as my dress code, basically the same guidelines as I had when I was working in the insurance industry. Always a collared shirt or sweater with jeans or khakis. It's never been an issue at any of my signings.

Reply by calipat/ca on 12/1/04 2:10pm
Msg #12448

After 8 pm I usually wear jeans, but only black ones they tend to look a little nicer than blue demin. Weekend signings I always wear the jeans with a nice blouse. During the day I wear nice slacks with a nice blouse and depending on the weather a jacket. I never wear a dress or skirt, because I never know where the signing is going to take place and I like to be able to be comfortable without having to worry about my dress. (I signed sitting in the back seat of a car once, with the door open and a small table between my self and the borrower's). If I am not wearing a blouse I wear a nice sweater. Good thing is you can have 1 or 2 outfits to wear and alternate daily if you want, since you do not see the same people.

Reply by Charm_AL on 12/1/04 2:03pm
Msg #12446

The dress code here is generally casual business, slacks, sweater, shirt...I don't think the signing companies like to be represented in jeans

Reply by Oldbie_CA on 12/1/04 2:16pm
Msg #12451

Sometimes, when I have a 9 p.m. signing, I don't feel like being dressed all stuffy (skirt, nylons and heels). I think nice jeans and a nice blouse should be okay. I say this only because I have conducted signings in real estate offices or in the lender's office, and I would never wear some of the low-cut blouses and short skirts or tight pants I've seen some of the females wear. Well, at least not as business attire.

Thank you for your responses.

Reply by Julie-Mi on 12/1/04 2:54pm
Msg #12456

I would never wear jeans even if the borrower insisted.

Many of the companies specifically state no jeans. You never know when a survey after the fact may be headed the borrowers way.

I've closed loans in the median of I-75 during a construction project, in the woods at a bonfire, in filty homes, filthy cars but I still would not wear jeans!

Reply by Ted_MI on 12/1/04 4:02pm
Msg #12462

Oldbie,

Boy, I am glad you brought this topic up. Several weeks ago I noticed in the materials of IREP that they do have a general dress code. And I thought about an experience I had in September. I was at the borrowers' house, and I had a polo shirt on and a pair of khaki's. And the husband made some comment like "heh, did you just get off the golf course?". I really didn't think about that statement until I read the IREP literature, and I thought to myself geez, maybe I was a little too casual. I mean the knit shirt did have a collar and all that. So now as it has gotten colder I usually wear a sweater and an oxford button down type shirt. I would subscribe to the philosophy that it is a good idea to look professional.

Reply by CarolynCO on 12/2/04 9:01am
Msg #12551

Ted_Mi says **I would subscribe to the philosophy that it is a good idea to look professional. **

That says it all. Umpteen years ago in high school, we had a dress code and the girls had to wear dresses or skirts, but definitely no form of jeans or slacks. Between that being instilled in me and the fact of working in law firms for many years where clients were paying $200-$300/hr., I would never wear jeans to a closing, even if they were designer.

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 12/1/04 5:30pm
Msg #12467

I always dress business casual for signings...any day, any time. Never jeans - always nice slacks, sweater set, or blouse and blazer or jacket. I run a professional business and dress professionally as a reflection of my business. Of course when I get home I rip off my clothes and get into my grubs! lol

Reply by Julie-MI on 12/1/04 6:03pm
Msg #12470

I know what you mean, Barbara.

If the schedulers only knew what I looked like with rollers in my hair or what I was wearing at the time of their call, they would probably call someone else!

Reply by Becky/NC on 12/1/04 6:41pm
Msg #12472

I, too, do not wear jeans, usually slacks and blouse or sweater. But, being in Asheville NC, sometimes I feel overdressed - it can be very casual here. In response to Ted's comment, I once attended a team building seminar where the moderator mentioned that he always called his client to find out the company's dress code, and then proceeded to ask if we knew the difference between "business casual" and "casual". He defined business casual as khakis and button down or polo shirt with no tennis shoes; the only difference in casual wear being wearing tennis shoes.

Reply by CaliNotary on 12/1/04 6:45pm
Msg #12474

Acceptable dress is all over the map here in Southern California. I've seen people at wedding and funerals in shorts, Tshirts, jeans, and baseball caps. I'm quite casual pretty much always, but shorts at a funeral appalled me.

Reply by Mortgage Closers of San Antonio - Kenneth C Whitton Jr on 12/1/04 7:04pm
Msg #12476

Here in TX, you look funny if you are not wearing jeans and a cowboy hat, so I usually look funny.

I stick to a business-casual dress code as well. The trend in the corporate world is to dress business casual, except in the stuffiest of settings... I used to work as a secretary to a VP and we wore jeans every day, in the executive offices.

I do find, however; that when closing after 6-7 pm, sometimes borrowers are a bit uncomfortable if you are too overdressed, they are usually in their comfies... I closed a loan the other night at midnight with the borrower in her pajamas. She had requested that I come comfortable so I wore very nice jeans and a nice shirt.

I think that you should consider how you would feel if someone came to your home dressed in a certain manner and wished to conduct business with you. That should help you stay within good guidelines...

Happy signing...

Reply by Becca/FL on 12/1/04 10:05pm
Msg #12505

After the first hurricane (Frances) hit my area, I did closings for almost two weeks in whatever I was wearing that day. Most days it was shorts, a t-shirt and flipflops with my hair up in a twist. For each closing I let the hiring Co. know that I had no power, it was 90 and humid and most everyone was in the same situation. All of the hiring Cos. understood as did the borrowers. We were all in it together.

Under normal situations I wear business casual. I love dresses, skirts or capris w/ a nice shirt and sandals. My all time fav. is Chico's travelers mix and match pieces. Ladies, find a Chico's near you and check it out! I have not dry cleaned a thing for four years. Chico's travelers series washes and dries in the machine, does not wrinkle and they are the most comfortable clothes I've ever worn.

Reply by HisHughness on 12/1/04 10:09pm
Msg #12509

Beccccccca reports:

***Most days it was shorts, a t-shirt and flipflops with my hair up in a twist.***

I'm puzzled, Beccccccca: I thought that was >>formal<< attire in Florida.

Reply by calipat/ca on 12/1/04 10:14pm
Msg #12513

Hey Becca

Is Chico's a clothing store?

Reply by calipat/ca on 12/1/04 10:14pm
Msg #12514

Hey Becca

Is Chico's a clothing store?

Reply by calipat/ca on 12/1/04 10:16pm
Msg #12515

Sorry dont know why it posted twice

Reply by patricia on 12/1/04 11:02pm
Msg #12529

Re: Chicos

Chicos really is a great store, very nice clothing, unique styles and good prices.
Good clothing to wear for signing appointments. I get lots of compliments from the borrowers
on the clothing from Chicos

Reply by Joan-OH on 12/2/04 5:44am
Msg #12539

www.chicos.com

Don't think we have any in the Cleveland area, but wrinkle free/wash & wear got my attention!

Thanks

Joan-OH

Reply by BrendaTX on 12/2/04 8:24am
Msg #12546

Just got a Chicos!

Just got one here.

My sister said I should run by there to take a look,
but figured it was just a "big-sister directive"...

But, now that the NOTARIES have spoken, I will.

Reply by HisHughness on 12/2/04 9:38am
Msg #12555

Re: Chicos

patricia echoes other posters:

***Chicos really is a great store, very nice clothing, unique styles and good prices.***

Don't know about Chico's, but Goodwill is great!

Reply by patricia on 12/2/04 12:00pm
Msg #12565

Re: Chicos

I shop at the goodwill too!

Reply by calipat/ca on 12/1/04 10:31pm
Msg #12518

Becca I looked online and found about 6 Chico's in my area..

I will be checking them out this weekend

Reply by Glena/NV on 12/1/04 7:29pm
Msg #12488

I always wear black, blue or brown slacks with a nice blouse or a long sleeve shirt, but last Monday I had and emergency late night signing. I was laready in my blue denim Jeans, black shirt and black boots, so I just added a black jacket and off I went. I was uncomfortable with the denim jean, but I did not encounter any problems with that except that I was worried about how the borrowers would look at it on the way there. Would I do that again? I think late at night and on weekends should be an exception to the dress code that most companies require.

Reply by HisHughness on 12/1/04 8:20pm
Msg #12496

"Business casual" in Austin (sometimes known as Berkeley East) is socks and the tee shirt without the holes.

Reply by Jan/CA on 12/2/04 12:50am
Msg #12536

Everything looks good when I carry my Louis Vuitton Briefcase! Even Jeans.

Reply by BrendaTX on 12/2/04 2:23pm
Msg #12579

Jan - I agree...a good bag (briefcase), good shoes, and a modest amount of quality "bling-bling" can set off a gray sweat suit.

I dress as if I am working in a title company or law office. Love my black suits in the winter. Blue ones in the summer.

However, in storms I wear a yellow slicker jacket and garden clogs that I can slip off at their front door to drip outside, and not inside on the new wooden floors. I find a London Fog type raincoat to be lacking in Texas rains.