| 21 January |
Occasion Dictating Attire |
In my older college age I am finding myself attending more and more special events. By special, I don’t mean the Saturday night kegger at Sponge Bobs. Although, those can be special in their own right. The events I speak of are the banquets, luncheon, and any other event where a bunch of people get together for some business related BS. Also, just a simple night on the town. A lot of you, I’m sure, have been to at least one of these events in your life time. You don’t want to go, but there is that little bit of obligation that compels you to go against your will. Not only do I dislike those types of functions, but I absolutely hate having to “dress up”.
Before I get too deep into this I want to let you know that I understand why we as human being feel it necessary to wear things that we, on a normal day, would not. I understand that wearing your one and only suit, that hasn’t fit since your cousin Jimbo’s wedding ten years ago, makes some sort of non-lasting impression on those around you. Depending on the caliber of the event some rush out and pick up a neat and prim new suit for ungodly amounts of money, while others tend to wear the exact same thing to all events. My question is, why is all of this necessary?
I myself do not own a single suit, and up to this point in time have been able to squeak by without one. I always use the excuse that I don’t have one, and can’t justify buying an expensive suit for one occasion. Now I know as well as anyone that another event just like it will come up, if not there’s always the same function next year. I just pull out the same excuse card every time. I always wear khakis, and a collard shirt of some sort. Typically it’s always the same one. I may have to change that, because it beyond just seeming like a coincidence.
The reason I don’t think it’s necessary is not solely because I myself despise dressing up. I just don’t see why we have to look so suffisticated for something that seams so meaningless. I’m not saying that you should wear you pajamas to your next business function, but why not be comfortable. What you have on does not define you as a person at all. Someone could be wearing the most top of the line suit, but be a complete jerk off. Which by the way, tends to be the case more times than not. Now, what if it was the other way around and someone is wearing…oh I don’t know some cargo pants and a sweatshirt, but they were very intelligent and well mannered? My point is that I know your appearance is the first thing to be judged, but why is that?
A lot of people have told me that first impressions are everything, but just who exactly am I trying to impress? For example, and strictly example, if I’m going out for a night on the town to see if I can’t find a lady, I don’t want to give her the wrong first impression. What is the point of wearing the nice shirt, or doing my hair up nice, or smelling Giorgio Armani just pissed on me? If I don’t normally do that, then I have already given a false description of myself. Now if by some odd chance I found a girl that could fight her way through the plume of cologne, she most likely would be the type to get very irritating very fast. All I’m saying, in this scenario, is be careful what you wish for. Now, of course I have the best girl on the planet so you’ll have to settle for second best. (How ridiculously cheesy was that?)
As for the rest of the scenarios that you may have to dress up for, I say why bother. Chances are you will never talk to or see that person ever again no matter what you have on. Hell, go naked next time. Talk about a first impression. You may find this as the most effective attention gathering tactic, but you may not like the results.
I know there are a lot of things that we dress up for, and I will continue to do so. I just wanted to put it out there, that I think it’s unnecessary for most. I will continue to not be the proud owner of a suit, and if in the future it is required I will just throw out the I don’t have one card. Events that require suits are always way to up tight as it is, so why should what you have on be just as up tight.