I’m beginning to wonder what sort of sartorial lessons I’m passing along to my son. He, at 5 years of age, has strong opinions about outerwear, for instance (“… too puffy, I want to wear my flat jacket.”) But he may come of age in a world where a well-tied tie is the first sign of a growing nervous condition. A junior kindergartener, he spends his days in rugby shirts, khakis and sneakers.
Tonight, Mrs. E. and I will see Gen. Colin Powell (USA, Ret.) speak at a leadership conference that her school hosts. I am already contemplating the shirt and tie combination that I will don, although there is no dress code specified for the event. Why “dress up”? Gen. Powell will certainly be in a coat and tie — a suit — I imagine. As will his fellow speakers. Why shouldn’t I dress to mirror the respect they show me by putting their best face forward?
Or, to put it another way, all the cool adults are doing it. I hope that one day, my son will do so as well.
Why? All the Adult adults are doing it.
Did anyone greet you with “What are you all dressed up for?”
Gen. Powell is definitely a cool adult.
NCJack, we had to miss the event as Mrs. E. my daughter and son are all sick. Now, I am too. Ah well….
They’re used to me by now though and would look startled if I showed up in anything other than “dress clothing”.