| by Glenn J. Downing, MBA, CFP® |
I mentioned earlier that I made a mid-life career transition from retail management to financial planning. Over the years I was responsible for women’s, men’s, children’s, electronic, and home departments. It is my observation that men’s apparel has just as many classifications as women’s, save for petites.
Men’s clothing used to be easy
Men’s clothing used to be easy – it was only the cut of the suit that would change because that’s all men wore. Look at pictures of old Miami from the 40’s and even 50’s – all the guys were wearing suits! Must have been miserable. And this is pre-deodorant days, too.
Look at some movies from the 30’s and 40’s – double-breasted jackets were common. In the 50’s trousers were slim and without cuffs. In the 70’s 3-pieces came back in fashion with unnaturally padded shoulders. In the 80’s a more natural shoulder came back with pleated trousers. The point is, although we may not see it that way, men’s fashion is a big business.
Facial foliage
This is an area where anyone can clearly see the style aspect of how men present themselves. During my disco days big droopy moustaches were the thing. Look at photos from the Edwardian age – big mutton-chop sideburns, fully bushy beards, big moustaches. During the 50’s men were largely clean-shaven. And now? Full beards are common and acceptable more so now than at any other time of my life.
What gets me is men who look like they’re always in the in-between stage. They don’t look like they’re growing beards. They just look – to me, at any rate – lazy and unkempt.
The trend toward casual
Overall, I’m happy for the trend toward casual. It is leveling. I dislike casual Fridays, as that makes one maintain two different work wardrobes. Fish or fowl, employers: declare yourselves.
People always still judge the book by its cover. If you see a man wearing neat jeans, a twill long-sleeved shirt, and casual shoes, can you really tell from what social strata he comes? Probably not — part of being American. We’re all equal before the law, equal before God, and none of us is any better than another.
My parting thought here: Gents – put your look together before leaving the house. Put some thought and effort into it. Learn how to iron a shirt. Consider how you present yourself to others, as they WILL be observing your dress and deportment.
