You do you! In WA State law transactions in Notary log are to be confidential including IDs. Notarizing items in plain view of others is not exactly confidential. What state are you in?
This is an on-going battle for me. I came from a career of strict “business dress,” having worked 12 years on Wall St. in the financial services industry. I remember the first day I interviewed for the job (computer specialist). I wore a white shirt with tie, gray dress slacks and a blue blazer. The HR recruiter took one look at me and said, very bluntly, “You’re not properly dressed! You need to be in a suit!” I never made that mistake again and came back for the 2nd and third interviews for the job in a full “2 piece.” This was just about the time things were starting to turn towards “business casual” dress for IT pofessionals, especially in Calif. Of course,Wall St. lacked far behind. Although we did go to “casual Friday’s” shortly after I joined. “Casual,” meaning dress shirt (tie optional) or Polo shirt and dress slacks or kakhis/chinos. No denims of any kind. Eventually, they implemented “business casual” rules for anyone/everyone that was not “customer/media facing.” If you dealt directly with customers or with the press face-2-face, you had to be in full business dress (that dreaded suit)!
Now that I’m retired from corporate life, I do like my “retirement uniform.” Full Kakhis/chinos or cargo pants and a large untucked “Aloha” shirt, over a standard T-Shirt. But I have to wonder if it’s not sufficiently “professional.” Since the Aloha shirts might be a bit “loud and bright,” I switch to a single color polo shirt that I tuck in when I go to a signing (eg. the old “Izod/LaCoste” shirts with the alligator). Most of the time, so far, I’ve been going to a client’s residence. If I were going to a title office or something, I’d have to see if I could still fit in to one my dress shirts, but no tie.
But I’m also curious about something. What do you consider “appropriate dress” for RON (Remote on-line Notary)? Are your standards more lax there, or do you maintain at least a “business dress” or at least business casual appearance from the waist up? 
2 Likes
Enjoyed your comments ~ similar to my work history. In the late 60’s working in San Francisco where dresses and heels were code of the day. Enjoyed riding cable car to work but bummer to jump off in heels so learned to have change of shoes to and from work. Now in WA in PNW attire changes to suit the weather and fall is approaching. Recall when I began my notary business some clients wanted more formal attire including heels or flats. Some places I have been to are real country and that just doesn’t work. Signers are changing in my area and many require removing of shoes prior to entering of home. Keeping easy shoe removal in mind for fall/winter boots. Heels are a thing of the past for me ~ nice flats are as dressy as I go. 
3 Likes
I agree with a more professional look, and feel business casual is generally acceptable unless an SS, etc has a different requirement. If working with an attorney, being a little more put together is my preference. I’m old school from a time when hose/heels or matching separates and suits etc were the rule, not the exception. Do I miss that? No way!
I wear maxi skirts with a slightly fitted, solid color t-top or a light, flowy short-sleeved blouse. I also like a nice a wrap style dress (I also love a good thrift find or Amazon) and since my business is Sunflower Notary Services my favorite dress is a sunflower print, which gets lots of notice/ compliments. I’m facing knee replacement and I have to wear a special brace that I prefer to keep covered if possible, so slacks or khakis aren’t my thing right now because I don’t want the brace to be a distraction or focal point during a signing. I’m also in black or gray Hoka recovery slide sandals for stability and support (no unsupportive flats or anything with a heel for me right now) so the longer dresses and skirts kind of keep my footwear a bit disguised.
I feel there’s a way to dress for any appointment that allows for someone’s personality to come through while bearing in mind what kind of lasting impression will be left.
2 Likes
Julie2 what state are you located? Like your comments. I’m in WA State and my fall favorite is just below knee dress with leggings and some type of low heel bootie or calf boot. Get by with hat and vest with dress until the rain really starts getting bad towards winter. Driving in vehicle get too warm. Before I retired from my day job was in AK a lot and think my body is still saying WA too warm.
2 Likes
I’m in east central Kansas and thank you! I love leggings for fall, etc with a tunic top and vest or something similar. I understand trying to find the happy medium with the seasons changing and I find it interesting what others feel about dressing for what we do.
2 Likes
Started summer attire post because I also thought it would be interesting to share attire these days. My oldest son worked for Microsoft for 15 years and dress was upscale casual. Recently went to work for Amazon and received $50K more annually, handsome sign-on bonus and stock options. Wore same attire at Amazon and co-workers told him he was over dressed. Scaled down his style but looks professional ~ superiors communicate with him as some one in charge… Co-workers dress like gamers working out of their home do a good job. Respect received from superiors can make a difference.
3 Likes
As it turns out, here in FL, “Summer” attire is “year round” attire for us. It’s rare that the temp goes below 50˚F, even in the winter. It does happen, but it’s rare.
1 Like
Some may Floridians are fortunate with nice weather year round. Must be my bloodline because I do like cooler weather. Variety is spice of life 
1 Like
I agree that we should be mindful of how we dress but frankly, I don’t see anything wrong with going to a signing in jeans, for example. Especially since Covid, many of our signers are working from home and THEY are the ones in tank tops and shorts. They couldn’t really care less about how we are dressed as long as we are professional in how we get their documents signed. I will tend to dress more “professionally” if I’m meeting signers at an actual business location or at a bank, but like most things, discretion is the rule. Use your common sense when choosing your attire for a particular signing.
1 Like
Funny you mention that. For my first HECM reverse mortgage, I went to the appt. in my standard “Retirement Uniform” (see above) but with dress shoes. THe loan officer was present but was in jeans. So, there you go. I guess if we had to do it at the loan or title office, that might be a different story.
Just this morning, I showed up for an assignment, and the gentleman greeted me at the door with no shirt on and his gym shorts. He did quickly put a shirt on, though. Apparently, he had been out jogging before I arrived.
1 Like
Disagree 100% with this statement. This is not “business” nor is it “business casual” - I worked professional offices for over 25 years and jeans were never considered professional attire. How the signers dress is their business as it IS their home - but if we want to be considered “professional”, then jeans are out.
JMO
2 Likes
Concur 
percent. Jeans weren’t considered “business” nor “business casual” in my 25 years in the C-suite in corporate America. They were considered “casual” attire. Also, agree that how the signers dress is definitively their prerogative as it’s their choice of meeting location.
As I’ve expressed over the years via the Notary Cafe forum - demeanor & attire are significant contributing elements to your professionalism as a business owner. Truly, it’s always better to dress professionally and be 5 or 10 minutes early, than to find yourself “under-dressed” and late (even by a minute) as it demonstrates a lack of consideration and respect.
1 Like
Hi Steves11 ~ what state are you in ??
Hi mag3_notary ~ what state are you in? Wonder if that man had an order after his jog. 
I’m proud to be a “Floridian” as mentioned above! Remember, I lived in Ft. White for a while? Not sure what order that might be. He’s a professional body builder/trainer by trade.
Hello Floridian from Washingtonian ! Interesting how my simple post received such a strong response. Nice to hear from men and not just women to read their point of views. I may be old but it would be fun sign for a body builder client I was working on a construction project in CA by state capitol and Arnold was walking around town with his body guards and introduced himself to myself and others on job site. That was fun ~ did not look like I envisioned in Terminator movies.
1 Like
You make excellent points in this thread. Reminds me of the saying, “Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have.” 
2 Likes
You all don’t know heat like the heat in Yuma AZ. At 9am in the morning it is already 100 degrees outside. By noon it’s 117. A pair of slacks and a light blouse is what I wear in the summer and a light half sleeve jacket during the winter months. I understand dressing for comfort is important however professionalism should always take precedent when you are trying to present yourself in a professional capacity. Respect and confidence comes from how your client views you. If you dress like your going to the club or to the beach and walk into my home as a client I would not take you seriously and my confidence in you taking the task at hand would follow that thought process. IJS
4 Likes
This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.