I BOUGHT A NEW SPORT COAT THIS WEEK

I like to talk about men's clothing. You may have noticed I have discussed this subject in a few of my essays. The trend for many years has been to dress casual. It does not seem to matter anymore if you are going to work, shopping, a social gathering, a funeral or cutting the lawn. Men are dressing the same way.

In my essay "The Slippery Slope" I wrote about the manager who hired me for a position with a large financial service firm in 1983. He told me when I was hired "I only allow male employees to wear suits and ties in the office no sport coats or blazers." I ask why just suits. He responded because I believe if I give an inch on that policy it will be the first step down the slippery slope. Once again, I think he may have been genius.

Forty years later we have gone from suits and ties only to wear anything you want anytime any place. Not really a good trend! How you dress reflects a lot about you and the perception people have of you.

I am not suggesting men walk around in tuxedos or dark suits and ties all the time. But there are different levels of dressing casual for business, social occasions, going to a nice restaurant etc. Watch You-Tube you will find many videos on this subject.

This goes for men of all ages from young men to senior citizens.

Here is why I am thinking about this subject today. When we downsized and moved last year I donated many suits and sport coats that I had accumulated over the years. I did not wear them anymore. I did save a few things but have not bought any new suits or sport coats in a long time.

This week we went to the mall. My wife was looking for something she needed. We were walking through the men's department when I noticed a nice display of new suits and sport coats for fall on sale. I stopped to browse for a minute with no intention to buy anything. A sport coat caught my eye. I tried my size on. It felt good and my wife said it looked very nice. I said, I like the coat, but I do not know when or where I will wear it. My wife said you can wear it anytime any place if it makes you feel good.

I made the purchase. Think about buying a new suit or jacket it's an investment in something that might make you look and feel a little better both physically and mentally.

WRITTEN BY

RON TURETT