When I go to work (day job) in a dress, co-workers often ask me where I’m going? I tell them “this is where I’m going.” The next question, “Why are you so dressed up?” By this time I’m trying to hold in my anger. Please stop asking me questions about what I’m wearing and why. I like looking nice and I think the world is way too casual. From the boardroom to church, I’m tired of business casual, and come as you are Sundays and dress down Fridays. Some people come to work and look like they have been working in their garden. I have a question for them “where are you going?”
Most companies have a dress code or at least they used to. Some of the normal things you may find in the dress code of a business: no flip flops, no shorts, no tee shirts with offensive writing or symbols and clothes that are too tight or too short are restricted. I come from the days when ladies wore skirt suits and dresses to work while the men had to wear a shirt and tie. I remember it being a big deal when pantsuits for women were permitted. We all ran out and bought the sharpest pantsuits we could find. Then business casual was introduced. What did that mean exactly? According to Ask.com, clothing that works well for the beach, yard work, dance clubs, exercise sessions and sports contests may not be appropriate for a professional appearance at work. Clothing that reveals too much cleavage, your back, your chest, your feet, your stomach or your underwear is not appropriate for a place of business.
I want to introduce an idea of a “dress up” day at work, but I don’t think it will be well received.
So many people don’t know what dressing up really is. At one time you could tell them to wear your church clothes, but now a lot of people dress down for church. I’ve noticed that people are also super casual for funerals. Many young people will wear a t-shirt with pictures of the deceased on them and sagging pants. When I used to work in retail I remember how many people would come and buy a suit, shirt and tie for a wedding or a funeral. Often this was a young man’s first dressy outfit.
I’m still trying to think when did all of this casual attire start? Was it when blue jeans became a fashion statement and women had so many pairs of designer jeans that they wore them everywhere; or maybe it was when the dress code changed in schools? Now we see ladies out shopping in pajama pants and shower caps covering their weaves. Young men are in do rags and sagging pants and the sad thing is the ladies seem to like that look. We need a national “clean as a fish hook” day. Be sharp, look fly, get clean. Trust me when you look good you act different.
This movement will stop crime; I think I’m on to something.
(Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com.)
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