...huh. Interviewing in VA/MD, only once had a candidate wear a suit. Nice shirt and blazer with jeans/slacks seems to be the norm. I wonder if it’s micro-regional to DC? Or something about the specific software industry you are in?
My understanding has been that most large companies, especially those older than like 15-20 years, in the east coast follow suit-culture for white-collar work; the minimum being business casual for daily work (not eg meetings with execs).
This difference being the quintessential culture shift compared to california (aka silicon valley) dress code, with shorts and shirt being a very direct reaction to it
But this is based on hearsay and history; I’m not old enough to experience it myself ;)
That certainly fits both my employer and my wife's.
Both are large and old.
When I meet with clients in any sort of sales capacity, I wear a suit. Daily wear is nice casual (jeans, button down shirt). Conventions or site visits are pants and a jacket, no tie.