Spring is quickly approaching here in Southern Missouri. The ole groundhog apparently didn't see his shadow and the weather is quickly warming up.
Yesterday, I went through my wardrobe, packing up the jackets, and looking at my Spring and Summer clothing. Although my "wardrobe" is rather sparse, it turned out to be quite a lengthy project as I added buttons, took in baggy shirts, and mended fraying button holes... all affordable efforts to make my clothing fit my body type better. This got me to thinking about the importance of appearance which I wrote about in a Customer Relations Consulting manual I was working on last year.
Picture your experience with the two different salesmen in the AI produced photos above. How does their presentation reflect their products?
All too often, we dress for the expectancy of our jobs. For example's sake, a stereotypical used car dealer (some, not all) might wear baggy clothes and have an unkempt appearance. However, a customer would be shocked by such sloppiness by meeting the same salesman dressed that way inside a Lexus or Cadillac indoor showroom. In a showroom, we expect the sales person to wear no less than a suit and, preferably, a crisp tie.
What is the difference? Both salesmen sell cars. If we are honest, there is really not much difference in a new car and a 15 year old car with low miles. Their products both have seats, a motor, a transmission, four wheels, and get us where we need to go. The difference is primarily in the "new smell" and technological updates. However, at the end of the day, both salesmen are selling the same thing: cars.
However, how the new Lexus or Cadillac salesman is dressed helps sell you the idea that his product is a better purchase than the used Toyota or Chevrolet dealer down the road. They are quite literally the exact same vehicles, maybe few years different, and with different badges and different interior fabric. Ironically, the new Lexus and Cadillac will outpace the used Toyota or Chevrolet's depreciation rate at an alarming speed.
Our modern society teaches us that our clothing, and even our vehicles, represents our "position in the community". We quite literally have two stereotypes of working men, known as "white collar" (bankers, CEOs, advisors) and "blue collar" (manual laborers). However, this should not be so.
Our jobs and financial situation should not determine our self representation. Rather, our self representation should reflect our family's dignity, our heritage, and respect for self worth. I once knew a young man who struggled financially and had slight mental hindrance, yet, I have much respect for him because he was trying very hard to work his way into adulthood and independence. He often wore suit jackets that he was able to purchase from the thrift store he worked at. Before he had a car, I would see him walking with self respect and dressed as well as he knew how, often with a Bible in his hand as he avidly partook in Bible studies. I'm not sure where this man is today, but I would guess that his work ethic, self respect, and his ethical integrity have helped him in his job situation.
Image created using an AI generator.
As Dads, when we dress each day, we must consider what we desire to represent. Are we representing our heritage with dignity? Are we bringing honor to our parents and grandparents? Are we dressing the same, or better, than when we were dating our wives? Are our wives proud when we walk into a room, or does she wish we dressed as well as her girlfriend's husband? Does the way we dress set an example for our kids as they grow older? Are we dressing daily as an example for our daughters when she's picking her future husband?
As I have enough dress clothes, several pieces gifted to me or purchased from thrift stores, I'm going to Bass Pro this week to try on some of their clothing styles. I cannot afford their brands, however, I'm going to try on their clothing and get nice casual wear ideas for my wife and I to know what to search for on Mercari, Facebook marketplace, as well as in thrift stores.
Remember, unless you're shopping for a wedding or similarly specific formal event, clothes are clothes just like cars are cars. You can represent yourself well by purchasing your clothing at a thrift store. Just because your clothing is purchased with a little mileage doesn't mean it can't be just as good, it just may take some time to locate specific pieces. The depreciation rate of new clothing compared to used clothing is alarming as well. As soon as the new tag is cut off, a $50 shirt often can't be resold for $10.
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