A California executive has set off an online storm after criticizing a member of a sales team for their casual looks namely a hoodie and baseball cap on a Zoom call. Jason Loomis, who is in the cybersecurity industry, shared his concerns on LinkedIn, wondering if dressing down has become the new professional protocol in video business conferences.
“Am I just outdated?”
In a self-deprecating and tongue-in-cheek manner, Loomis wrote, “Confession time: I may be becoming the ‘get off my lawn’ man of cybersecurity meetings.” He painted the picture vividly: “Today’s episode: A sales team that chased me like I was the last CISO on the planet finally got me on a Zoom call (kudos!). Their executive appears in a baseball cap and sweatshirt while I’m in my button-down, as if auditioning for a ‘Professional Adults of LinkedIn’ calendar.The difference in outfits made him wonder if he’d signed up for a business demo or unwittingly ended up in a fantasy football draft. “Is this bothering me? Am I that old-fashioned?” he asked himself.
Rethinking Business Norms
Reflecting on the shift in workplace culture, Loomis added, “Maybe in 2025, ‘dress for success’ has been replaced with ‘dress like you’re grabbing milk from the corner store.’ Maybe my collection of business casual attire is just taking up valuable closet space that could be filled with comfy hoodies.”
However, he stood by his belief that effort in appearance reflects respect for the meeting: “When you’ve worked hard to get someone’s time, showing up looking like you’ve put in at least minimal effort seems like a reasonable courtesy.” While he clarified that the attire wasn’t the sole reason for the brief meeting, he did note it “set a tone that suggested this might not be a partnership of aligned priorities.”
Internet Reacts
Loomis’ post drew over 350 comments, sparking divided opinions. One supporter noted, “I feel like professionalism is coming back. Maybe you’re not behind, but on trend.” Another joked, “I solve this issue by never using my computer’s camera. Then the person on the other end can just fantasise that I’m wearing whatever attire their personal sensibilities deem appropriate.”
The critics weren’t slow in following. One of the commentators questioned Loomis, remarking, “So, lemme get this straight: you made a conclusion regarding the value of the solution for your organization based on how the sales dude was dressed?” Another commentator had written, “Sounds like someone misses the suit-and-tie days more than they’ll ever admit.”
Nevertheless, numerous people parroted Loomis’ effort point. As one user succinctly put it: “Effort counts. Arriving polished indicates that you care—about yourself, your brand, and the opportunity.”
