Letter to the Editor
Take Pride in Looking Your Best
I was not around when the Wright Brothers flew their first plane, but I was close. I was born in 1917 and I would like to address a recent article I read that promoted dress-down clothing and what was “wrong with people back then”. My short answer is there was nothing wrong with our generation back then. My generation, both ladies and men, took pride in all aspects of life—pride in our appearance, pride in our work, pride in our families, pride in our faith and pride in our country. We believed in the slogan, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”.
Looking your best also denotes respect for one’s self as well as others. When I was dating my wife of 68 years and I was seeking approval from her family, you can bet that I wanted to look my “Sunday Best” whether it was Sunday or not. I wanted them to know my standards were worthy of their consideration and that it was an honor for them to allow me to call on their daughter. In my era we were influenced by the elegance of role models such as Clark Gable, Cary Grant and Spencer Tracey.
When we fought for our country’s freedom in World War ll, you can be sure proper appearance was mandatory with attention to detail right down to the polishing of your shoes. We called it “spit shine”. Self pride was in line with respect and discipline. I believe it was this overall sense of value that forged our unity of determination and affected the outcome of our freedom we enjoy today.
I am all for being comfortable, but looking your best should not be associated with being uncomfortable. I can assure you that I can dress up, feel good about myself, have more confidence, and be comfortable as well. Cotton is a wonderful fabric, but so is silk, linen, and fine worsted wool. There are now numerous “performance fabrics” with special features such as Lycra stretch (for comfort) and lighter weight, wrinkle resistant garments for easier travel. Of course, to appreciate other fabric qualities, you have to make the effort to try them first.
As far as the assumption that dressing down actually increases productivity? I doubt that. Many reports have indicated dressing down has only increased promiscuity, absenteeism, and tardiness in the workplace—all traits of a decrease in self discipline. Many of our finest schools require their students to dress up for class. I do not believe they do this in order to reduce their productivity.
And as for our public officials dressing down, I would not put much confidence in seeing our President or other elected officials making serious decisions for our country while wearing blue jeans. And I am quite sure their neckties do not “choke off oxygen to lawmakers brains so they can’t make good decisions”. Their appearance should give them (and us) confidence as well as equal footing with other nation’s officials, who in all likelihood will be dressed up themselves.
In today’s “modern” world, the male has few adornments. His clothing, his watch, and on occasion his cufflinks are about all he has to work with. Native Americans had more with the feathers, head dresses, beads, and their form of make up—war paint.
Casual has its place, but what a dull world we would have if everyone dressed in the same boring, but comfortable outfits all the time. That’s not the way it is in nature. In fact, most of the time it’s the male that shows the brightest plumage, whether it’s a red cardinal or a deer with his impressive rack of antlers.
My generation has been called “the greatest generation”. Honestly, I hope not because certain principles should remain the same. Dressing your best helps you feel your best. It raises your self-esteem and positions you to give your best. And everyone giving their best is what creates the next Greatest Generation.
Jack Wills Worley
(Jack Worley is a retired chairman of the Board of Directors for The Sewell Companies and retired lieutenant colonel of the U.S. Army Air Force.)
