Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.
Does Mark Twain have a clue? This post is about a little trial and error when it comes to clothing choices.
As you know, I have started a new job. I have spent the last three days getting playfully buried by my co-workers for my attire. My first day, I rocked a track suit. My clever friends busted my balls, asking if it was a “tearaway.”
Baseball is a game of tradition. The dress styles of the men who play and work in our sport follow suit (see?). Traditional baseball garb for Florida and Arizona is a golf shirt and khaki pants, tennis shoes and sunglasses. I always look to challenge the notion that we should do something simply because it’s the way we’ve always done it. Why should my clothing selections be any different? I like the idea that even something like dress style may have value at the margins. From forbes.com:
Dressing casually could cause an employee to feel less focused and alert says Dr. Karen Pine, professor of psychology at the University of Hertfordshire and fashion psychologist.
“When we put on an item of clothing it is common for the wearer to adopt the characteristics associated with that garment. A lot of clothing has symbolic meaning for us, whether it’s ‘professional work attire’ or ‘relaxing weekend wear’, so when we put it on we prime the brain to behave in ways consistent with that meaning.”
I like the idea of feeling more focused and alert. I’ve been going around in a sport coat and have been mocked for it unmercifully. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be back in a clubhouse environment.
The research found: “The influence of clothes thus depends on wearing them and their symbolic meaning.”
“This theory supports the notion that we would stay more focused when wearing work clothes, and may be more cognitively alert than if we dressed down,” adds Dr. Pine.
I’m not saying that putting on a sport coat will monumentally change the way I work; I’m simply willing to experiment with the idea for a while. I take batting practice a certain way with a purpose and an intended outcome, I brush my teeth with certain strokes for a reason, and I don’t think it’s unreasonable to optimize for a quality net result when I put my pants on, too.
Just as we always do, we should be reading articles to see both what they say and what they don’t. In this case, the article contains a lot of abstract theories and anecdotal results. These are anything but scientifically conclusive. I’m not going to blindly trust their declarations, but I’m willing to experiment a bit and keep an open mind. I won’t crack under the peer pressure to conform.
After all, I’ve been clamoring for the clubhouse. It seems I’ve gotten what I’ve wished for.
Thanks, fellas.
Kap
Jacki says
I completely agree with this. The law firm I work for does not entertain the idea of casual Friday. The few times there have been days were professional attire was not required there has also been a noticeable drop in production. I think there is something to be said for the mantra, get up, dress up, and show up. Keep rockin’ that sport coat!
Shawn says
Great post Kap as always. One word of caution though as you embark on your new opportunity…modeling your wardrobe after Ryan Dempsters MLB Network attire may very well put you in a negative quality net result
Chester says
I agree with you and Jacki. Getting dressed up for work lends a person the effect of focusing on the job or task at hand so that they don’t have to work overtime in those uncomfortable clothes — so that the sooner the job is performed properly, the sooner the person can get home, lay around on the couch in torn undies, eat chips and watch reality shows. Aahhhhh. . .
Jacki says
Not exactly what I was thinking but I like this interpretation! (maybe minus the torn undies)
Colt says
Kap- What brand suits to you buy? Canale seems to fit those with muscular builds
I really like Bonobos pants too it took me years to find a pant that fit right for those that love to squat
My favorite pant and people may laugh but I highy highly recommend the seawall track pant by lululemon
Voros McCracken says
“Traditional baseball garb for Florida and Arizona is a golf shirt and khaki pants, tennis shoes and sunglasses.”
You folks have no idea how true this is.
Though the sport coat will obviously have to go once you attend rookie league games in AZ. There’s style and then there’s torture.
Msquared says
I see nothing wrong with breakaway track pants, a blazer and a gold chain.
Mark says
Benny: Oh, yeah. Hey, Smalls.
Um, bring a T-shirt and jeans tomorrow, okay?
Oh, um, you got a fireplace?
Smalls: Oh, yeah. Yeah, why?
Benny: Throw that hat in there, man.
Smalls: Oh, yeah. You know, it was the only one I had.
Benny: Not anymore. Wear my old hat.
I’m buying this idea of the symbolic nature of clothes that helps set our mindset for what we are striving to accomplish. Whether that’s dressing up for work, or dressing ready to play ball in the Sandlot. I think that how we dress demonstrates our understanding for the unwritten, unspoken code of ethos for whatever activity we’re engaged in.
Peter Summerville says
Mark, thank you for that. Going to watch the Sandlot now.
-Peter
Kelebek Beyaz says
One of my absolute favorite movies! You’re killing me smalls!
Kelebek Beyaz says
It’s good to try something different (something that is consistently preached here) so my cute girlish fedora goes off to you. There have been studies about productivity going up in public schools where children wear uniforms as opposed to being casual all the time.
Now let’s discuss the track suit: I’m assuming it wasn’t velour, but I like that you went a little gangsta for your first meeting despite the teasing. That will teach them to impose their expectations on Kap. But now that you are going to be rocking a sports coat and some golf tops, does that mean you will be starting a fashion blog too?
Kelebek
gsasso says
I agree with this 100%. I’m a grad student with no dress code. However, I try to dress as if I’m going into a business casual environment. It gets in the mindset that it’s now time to work. Doesn’t work for everyone, but it helps me.
Michelle says
I train naked in the gym and have great influence, Mr. Twain
Kyle G says
Test day in school = dressing nicer… Completely mental but nothing to lose regardless.