This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Are You Dressed for Success?

Ok folks, it’s time for a little tough love.

Because I care about you and want you to succeed, I’m going to tell you that your clothes are communicating a message to the world, and not a good one.  Your butt is hanging out of your pants, your top is riding up, your mangy bra straps are showing, and your pant legs are dragging in the dirt.

You are making a poor impression.

Find out what's happening in Readingwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Growing up, my parents (and probably yours too) always stressed the importance of making a great first impression. Particularly when it came to clothes, which always had to be clean, neat and above all, appropriate to the occasion.

“Would you wear that to tea with the Queen?” they would ask, which was their way expressing their disapproval of our sartorial choices.  We, of course, would roll our eyes, as if any of us would be asking Her Majesty to pass the crumpets any time soon. But we would trudge back to our rooms to change out of the offending outfit.

Find out what's happening in Readingwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lately I’ve decided, based on what I’ve seen people wearing around town, tea with the Queen is an even more unrealistic aspiration now than it was during my childhood. Folks, when did everyone stop caring about appearance? When did we, as a culture, give up and let ourselves go? Where is the pride?

(This isn’t a “what’s the matter with kids today” rant, by the way. The kids, in their crazy get ups with their pants down around their knees and backward caps are doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing: infuriating adults. But, what is a defiant stance for someone in their teens is something else entirely, when adults are doing it.)

I think people have convinced themselves appearance doesn’t matter. They don’t feel they have to impress anyone. They tell themselves, “It’s their problem, not mine. I have a right to dress how I want, and just be comfortable. What does it matter?”

The short answer is, if you think it doesn’t matter, that people should just “accept me for who I am,” you’re kidding yourself. People are judging your appearance and by extension you, and what kind of person you are.

If you are in any kind of a business, are trying to get a job, or move up in one, remember this: you never know who you are going to run into during the course of a regular day. I can’t count the number of times I’ve run into colleagues and contacts at the supermarket, library, or movies. I’ve started conversations with strangers that end with an exchange of business cards. If my appearance is clean, neat and appropriate, I know they’ll be focused on what I have to say. If my presentation is slovenly, that’s what they’ll remember about me.

There is a lot of talk today, with discussions about raising minimum wage and providing paid sick time, about closing the earning gap. But what’s the point of making changes at the political level when we don’t care at the personal level? If a person comes into my store inquiring about a job and they are reeking of cigarette smoke or wearing sloppy or overly provocative clothes, they’re disqualified. You’re telling me you don’t care how you look or you don’t have the good sense to present yourself well. Why would I hire you?

Here’s a public service message for all of the adults out there who should be acting as role models for their children: it’s time to send your young people back to their rooms to change their clothes into something more appropriate. But first, you need to learn this yourselves. Pull your pants up, buy different bras to fit the variety of tops you own, and get those too-long pant legs professionally hemmed. To be successful, you still have to dress the part.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?