The New "Geek" Look

There's a new type of a geek in town. He's the successful businessman, he was the geek in highschool (and partially still is), and now he's the new generation of casual, internet-savvy males who are just making it out of college. And their casual clothing style is really coming forth and becoming more mainstream.

Everyone dresses casually, but the new generation of businessmen is bringing it to a whole different level. Take, for example, Kevin Rose, the co-founder of Digg.com, Revision3, Pownce, and many other Web 2.0 start-ups (pictured left). In his typical attire, there are many signifiers: a loose fitting pair of jeans, a baggy hoodie, and casual, urban sneakers. Nothing about his appearance represents his estimated net worth of $60,000,000 by BusinessWeek.

Kevin is not only worth an incredible about of money, but he keeps good company. This picture, seen with Bill Gates, shows Kevin wearing similar attire: a loose, button-up t-shirt, his every-day looking jeans, and his shaggy, bedhead look. He is indeed taking the "business casual" level of apparel to a whole new level.

It's not that Kevin does not have nicer clothing. Seen here, he is wearing both a pleasant suit on top of a nice button up shirt. But unbuttoned top, the crooked angle of the collar, and the unbuttoned all are signifiers of his casual business attire. He's relaxed posture and unkempt hair also give him a more friendly, casual appearance, over a business and professional look.

There is other icons of this generation of internet-savvy culture. For example, one of Kevin's co-workers, Alex Albrecht, wears his clothing in a similar way.

Alex has a wild, untamed hairstyle to go along with his light button-shirt shirt. Again, there's the unbuttoned top, and the undershirt is clearly visible and contrasts. And even though this clothing (and the beer!) signify that they are not at a business meeting, but are relaxing casually, this is actually at a conference! Clearly, this new world of young professionals is turning the traditional aspects of business attire up on its head.

Another key element of the internet-savvy geek generation is the glasses! Alex's thick, bold glasses are a key signifier for this "new geek" look.

This new fashion that is developing has a bold statement to it. It's saying it's less important about how you present yourself, but more important about what you've accomplished. Business is being done more and more over the internet, and there is a losing important in wearing a suit and tie, even in business situations you'll see these new web entrepreneurs wearing casual clothing.

There is a downside that it may make you seem less professional, and more like a typical "college student slacker." After all, appearance is important in making an impression. However, the statement that this style makes is that it's less about what other people think, and more about wearing clothing you're comfortable in. After all, it's your ideas, experience, and accomplishments that count.

Keep an eye out for this new generation of young, web professionals with the following signifiers:

• They tend to like hoodies, though even those are generally kept out of business meetings
• If they are wearing a business jacket, look for it to be completely unbuttoned with a stylish button-up underneath
• Whenever they wear a button-up shirt, look for the top button or two to be unbuttoned. They'll have a undershirt underneath, usually a contrasting color.
• Loose fitting pants are a must! Jeans are by far the most common, but keep an eye out for cargo or khaki pants as well. Shorts are less common.
• A wild hairstyle! Crazier, gelled hair is a possibility, but the most common is longer, shaggy, and somewhat messy "bedhead".
• Distinct glasses, generally with a think rim, a defining color, and usually a squared feeling.

The following photo shows Rachel Maddow (MSNBC) with Alex Albrecht and Kevin Rose.

All three of them are wearing the same fashion attire, and they're clearly in a professional setting (a television set). This style of presenting yourself is slowly becoming more accepted, and less looked down upon for its lack of traditional "professionalism"!