I shared earlier about how when I was a child I wore some really funky clothes. They were a decade out of style, and I did my best not to look too weird in them.
As I got older I was able to visit thrift stores and used clothing stores and found some very nice lightly used clothes. I bought those because I loved the style and feel of them.
As I got older I continued to buy fancy clothes. Nothing high fashion since I didn’t have that kind of money, but otherwise at the high end. I was so impressed with Robert Palmer and Simply Irresistible that I wanted to be as stylish as he was or as much as I could afford.
Another song from ZZ Top said Every girls crazy for a sharp dressed man. I found this to be true. When I was dating, my dates would compliment my sense of style and it made me feel good.
Why am I sharing this? You will see shortly.
Over time I continued to buy clothing above the required level for work. I was out dressing my supervisors and it was fun. I liked being creative with my clothing. It was my self-expression. I may not have had much authority, but what I wore made me feel great.
Then COVID hit and no one wanted to dress up anymore. I had no occasion to wear fancy clothes at home often because people didn’t even turn on their camera. Then I worked from home full time and the need to buy fancy clothing stopped. I could wear anything and they didn’t care. When I had to impress a new client I already had a suit/tie and that was enough for them. People didn’t seem to care about clothes anymore.
Which was fine by me. Instead of spending money every six months to a year on updating my wardrobe I just continued to use what I had. Never since I started being able to buy clothes had I bought so few clothes. This leads me to today.
There is almost no justified reason for a full time WFH consultant to buy fancy clothes anymore. Even in meetings or when I interview, they no longer ask for business formal. I have it, but they don’t care. Which is amazing because instead of investing in my clothing, I have been able to save money for the first time and I am not complaining.
Would I buy fancy clothes if the job required it? Sure and I’d be happy to dress up fancy if that was required. It doesn’t seem to be, so I have become a slob and dressing like the average joe. I feel like I am slumming it, but I console myself that I am saving money. Somehow I think I can learn to live with it. Sorry Captain Sisko.