The dress code is changing for Silicon Valley tech workers this summer

Tech’s top players are switching over to their summer styles — and workers should follow suit if they want to dress to impress.

Whether accessorizing more like Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos or opting for sporty outfits like Bill Gates and Sergey Brin, there are more ways to express personal style than the stereotypical tech uniform of jeans and a t-shirt.

Unlike finance workers — who typically have to keep it a bit more professional — the tech industry is known for its looser dress code and emphasis on an open work culture (though that’s shifting in recent years).

Still, tech workers have begun hiring stylists to help them dress better for work. Some pay tens of thousands to improve their look, but others aren’t so quick to give up their beloved t-shirts, stylists told The San Francisco Standard.

“If you can get them to try something new, and they get a compliment from someone soon thereafter, that makes it much easier for them to continue updating their wardrobe,” image consultant Eddie Hernandez told SF Standard.

With Meta and others calling their workers back into the office over the past year, employees will have to update their wardrobes for in-person work.

Here’s what fashion experts believe tech workers should be wearing this summer.

Ditch the grey tones for colors

No more black, white, or grey.

Hernandez told the SF Standard that he’s discouraging clients from going for the drab shades “that are dominant in SF,” and asking them to reach for colorful options instead in 2024.

As the temperature heats up, workers might want to put their shackets away and go for the more typical techy t-shirt.

For his clients who want more luxurious options, Hernandez recommended the $80 Niels Standard t-shirt from Norse Project. Entry level employees who want to save money can shop similar styles at Uniqlo and Abercrombie & Fitch for cheaper.

It looks like Gates got the memo and opted for sporty, breathable shorts and Adidas sneakers while off-duty at Zuckerberg’s 40th birthday.

Find chic ways to stay cool

Wearing jean shorts and a tank top to work might not go over well — even at the most laid-back tech firms.

Save that for the weekend, and instead, find ways to stay cool during your commute and still look fashionable around the office. In its round-up of summer office outfits, Cosmopolitan included mostly maxi dresses, wide-leg jumpsuits, and light-weight dress shirts.

Loose, breathable clothes catch the wind and keep your body cool while also adhering to a corporate dress code.

Don’t be afraid of accessorizing

Tech workers can take notes from Zuckerberg on how jewelry can elevate their look. The Meta CEO has been the subject of viral memes since adding a necklace to his outfits.

“Heading into the summer season, I can see the entry-level tech crowd wearing something clean and understated,” Carol Altieri, COO of Bob’s Watches said.

Altieri suggested a Rolex Explorer for a high-earner starting their watch collection if they want a “clean, low-profile look.” The timepiece starts at around $7,000.

To pair with the watch, jewelry brand Ritani said that tennis bracelets and necklaces are trendy ways to elevate an outfit.

Ria Papasifakis, vice president of e-commerce at Ritani, said that X CEO Linda Yaccarino is an example of the trend of wearing white gold accessories and putting on chunky bracelets.

“We like to call it the ‘powerhouse’ look,” Papasifakis said.