Do the Clothes make the Man, or the Man makes the Clothes?

One thing I didn’t expect at this new job was the dress code. Even though it’s business casual, it is more “wear whatever you’d like besides sweats.” I think it gets explained away because the people there are “marketing people”. Now, I am totally cool with this. I like wearing jeans most days. However, those around me are making me judge my own appearance (not in an uncomfortable way, just making me think I need to dress the part, as one should).

Over the past handful of years, I have not shopped for clothing much. In particular, last year I bought two shirts, a pair of jeans, and a pair of shoes. Not much. So when words like Ferragamo and Bruno get thrown around, I am slightly outclassed as I should be for a young urban professional that hasn’t made a ton of money (forgive the fact I was wearing an understated Zegna suit at the time).

I have already broken some of the guidelines I learned from The Millionaire Next Door. Prior to reading the book I had previously spent too much on suits, shoes, etc. Luckily I never bought a really pricey watch. So now I am faced with a dilemma. I don’t need to go to work pimped out and dressed to the nines. But, I do have to fit in at this place (which most of my closet allows me to do so).

I think my wardrobe needs to get livened up (especially as i get rid of the shit I will never wear again).

Is this something that typically happens at a new workplace? Different types of wardrobes for different employers?