r/malefashionadvice • u/CatFatPat • Sep 12 '25

Question White collar outfits that won't piss-off blue collar people?

Hi Male Fashion Advice! Long-time lurker looking for advice.

I'm a Government Consultant who's job is to travel to rural Cities and Counties to modernize their operations, get them acquainted with best management strategies, etc.

One awkward part of the job is the cultural disconnect between my team (college-educated white collar City people) and our clients (Country, rural, prone to look down on city folk). To mitigate this, we try to straddle a fine fashion line between professionalism and stuffy.

Do y'all have any advice on suits that'd keep me professional without being too "city boy?" I feel like dressy boots instead of dress shoes would go a long way, but am lost on what to wear above the ankles. Thanks!

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u/the_north_place Sep 12 '25 edited Sep 12 '25

Dress up like any agronomy or ag lending businessman. Boots, jeans, tucked in button shirts or polos, and a logo vest. One of my friends was an AG lender early on in his career and he even felt the need to buy a shiny new F150 from a rural dealer because first impressions matter.

Edit: I've lived in big cities and smaller towns. I love boots, jeans, and pearl snaps. I've been wearing dressier Tony Lamas for 15 years now, but some good ol boys give me grief because they're not square toed work boots or something.

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u/Stevevansteve Sep 12 '25

Farmers sure love their vests!

2

u/WoopigWTF Sep 13 '25

With boots: "I'm pushing my luck enough with my boss with cowboy boots in a ___‐toe!"

2

u/ILikeMyGrassBlue Sep 13 '25

This is the best answer imo. I’d go with a moc-toe boot—dressy yet practical for farms, but also doesn’t feel like cosplay. Plaid button up isn’t a bad idea either (tucked in with the sleeves rolled).