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Financial District Goes Nerd Chic

By Tom Lee

With all the dot-com companies sprouting up across San Francisco lately, a new workplace look has emerged. The nerd look is in. Gone are the days of the stuffy suit and tie. Instead, more and more companies are letting their employees express themselves through fashion. But how does one dress like an up-and-coming dot-commer and gain that sophisticated nerd appeal without coming across as a total geek? Here are five sure-fire rules to help you dress your way to dot-com success. (Cut the list out and tape it to your dresser mirror for easy everyday reference.)

Rule #1: Dress down but not out. Just because you can wear whatever you want to work doesn’t mean you should come waltzing into the office in a torn T-shirt and shorts. Dress down with style. A button-down shirt or blouse works great if you want that not-too-dressy yet not-a-total-slob look.

Rule #2: Wear bright colors. Dull colors represents a dull person and drags down the look of the workplace. Wear brights to bring out your dynamic personality. Fluorescent pink works well for girls and light blue does wonders for boys.

Rule #3: Ditch the briefcase. Please. Only men in their 50s carry dull briefcases these days. If you’re at the age where you’re too old to be wearing a backpack and too young to be lugging around a briefcase, go for the over-the-shoulder messenger bag. It’s stylish, it’s versatile, it’s you. Guys, who cares if it looks like an oversized purse? At least you look good. For girls, there’s the other option of the tiny purse/backpack combination that’s so popular among teens. But who’s to say you can’t take a high-schooler’s style and make it your very own?

Rule #4: Get connected. Your cell phone, pager, laptop, they can all be a part of your wardrobe. Just attach an appliance onto your hip, your belt or your bag for easy access as well as a cool metallic look. But be forewarned: Only 10 percent of the population can pull off this external pacemaker look without coming across as a total idiot. Proceed at your own caution.

Rule #5: Hair, hair, hair! Do something about that mop on top of your head. Don’t overstyle it. Messy is in. Nothing says you’re stylin’ more than bed-head hair. It says you’re a get-up-and-go type of person. which translates to “you’re a go-getter who doesn’t slack for your company.” For women, the bed-head works well, too, if you have short hair. For long hair, pull it back in a ponytail for a classier yet fun look.

Dyes can be tricky. Guys, go for shock value. FYI an Asian male with blond hair never gets sand kicked in his face. And girls can Clairol their hair all they want for that cyber-freak look.