OPINION: ON THE NEW SENATE DRESS CODE
Much has been written (both pro and con) about sartorial changes in Washington since recent rules no longer mandate business attire in the Senate. Although I’m far more worried about Senators delaying much-needed legislation than a bunch of old guys looking foolish in shorts and hoodies, I believe that lowering the Senate dress code is a bad idea. My thought process is far from profound: since lawmaking is serious business, those chosen by their constituents to do this important job should look serious, accomplished, professional. Elected for a position of authority, Senators should look authoritative, showing the world (and those they represent) a certain degree of respect. In a very real sense, they are our role models.
While I don’t agree that a relaxed dress code leads to diminishing moral standards (there are plenty of well-dressed crooks out there!), I do believe that dressing professionally instills confidence and credibility. If only our Senators would add a bit of creativity to the dark blue suit, white shirt, and solid tie. (Clearly, they’re not checking fashion pages, runways, or social media for inspiration!)
Dr. Rhonda Garelick, a professor of English and journalism at SMU, recently addressed this topic with an interesting take. In a New York Times essay and on cable television, Professor Garelick noted that uniforms are a marker of social commonality. One hundred adults similarly dressed creates a unified visual entity. Since the Senate is a collective cultural body, a group representing something larger than the individuals in the group, dressing in “uniform” makes sense. “We want to enhance the perception that this is a collective that works together for a greater goal.”
May the perception be the reality.
ABOVE: WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 12: Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) walks through the Senate subway on his way to a nomination vote at the U.S. Capitol on June 12, 2023 in Washington, DC. The Senate is returning to work Monday evening after the weekend. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Well said Karen. I totally agree with you. If you want to see another example of just how relaxed our dress code has become, take a commercial flight any day, any where.
Excellent response! Yes, let’s have a little respect and dignity in our dress. I am always looking for professionals to make a statement of confidence. I am always curious why individuals don’t show more respect for themselves.
Karen, very good editorial. This is all about his vote. That is how Fetterman ended up winning (although the republican was not a good choice either). I suggest that 10-15 Senators show up for wearing workout gear for a wey
One financial correspondent once said that when talking about other people’s money he would always respect that position in a suit and tie. Our elected officials are responsible for our money everyday. They should dress the part. And yes, Karen, it does not have to be boring! How many of your readers could dress these people with fashion and flair…and with a sense of decorum?!
I believe this dressing down slowly personifies into a mood of less accountability.
A big, baggie hoodie might have more room to hide bars of gold and stacks of cash.
Totally agree I was upset with casual Friday.When suit salesman started coming into the store in jeans this started the slow down in suit sales.If in Government your look should be professional suit and tie. Sam’s Fashion Post.
Omg so true Ritchie Sayner, it used to be coat and tie to travel at least that’s what my dad wore-now most people are in what look like PJ’s. My daughter went to France and Spain this summer on her school highschool trip, she said how great she felt dressing up everyday and how no one wore work out clothes to go out anywhere. What has happened to Americans dress? It’s upsetting and degrading.
I could not agree with you anymore. Thank you & continue speaking about it until the changes return.
Karen- thanks for the thoughtful editorial on Mr. Fetterman’s dreadful attire. Not only has he besmirched his high office, but has made himself look a bigger fool. Relaxing dress standards for our elected officials is a horrible idea. The esprit de corps that once was has now been diminished even further!
As I’ve mentioned; dressing well is an opportunity, not an obligation.
In a restaurant, airport, or the Senate, if you look good, you’ll feel good, and people will respond accordingly.
Karen,
Well done. The editorial is on pointe;once again the government has elected to lower the bar and lessen the consequences for either counter – culture desires of a few or bad behavior in general. There are simply no consequences for such behavior, nor for accepting Fetterman’s costumes as the acceptable new norm. Why on earth would anyone in government think this is a good or even acceptable idea. Shame on Senator Chuck Schumer
Damn right and good assessment. Shame on those woke Senators for aspiring to dress like slobs. Be “respectable” and dress like you mean it. Who does he think he is and why are most following “suit?” They should all be embarrassed.
Very well said Laurie. Class runs in the family.
I have met several times with his staffers in the DC Senate office. They have always been dressed in suits as expected. I’m not sure his motivation to dress like a hillbilly,but it’s not professional. Great article Karen!
Karen as always you are on point! Thank you for poignant opinion. I see several issues with Shumer relaxing the dress code.
One is that the taxpayers of NYS , via Senator Shumer, had bailed out tailored clothing factory Hickey Freeman with millions of dollars.
Second, we live on a world where 70% of communication is non verbal. Which means we project an image before any words are spoken. Some years ago I was fitting a MTM for a top ranking NYPD detective. We were talking about suits and the detective had mentioned that the suit is mandatory for law enforcement so the public takes them seriously. When serving a warrant, you don’t show up in casual attire. Several years later, I was selling MTM at Saks in Stamford and a customer walked in with a wrinkled shirt and chinos, young man in his early 30’s who was very successful. He ordered five suits as he was told to “clean up his look” due to his promotion. Months later I spotted the customer on metro north and he was very happy to see me. The customer said “ your suits changed my life ….. first, people now take me seriously in the office. Second, people treat me with respect and in turn I treat people with respect as well”. I could not have had a better compliment.
Sorry to be long winded, but dressing up shows respect and you get respect back. As a first generation American from immigrant Italian parents, dressing up always was a way of showing respect when going out or visiting relatives. My dad at 89 still dresses well. Finally, if a suit is properly fitted, it will not be uncomfortable.
Karen as always you are on point! Thank you for poignant opinion. I see several issues with Shumer relaxing the dress code.
One is that the taxpayers of NYS , via Senator Shumer, had bailed out tailored clothing factory Hickey Freeman with millions of dollars.
Second, we live on a world where 70% of communication is non verbal. Which means we project an image before any words are spoken. Some years ago I was fitting a MTM for a top ranking NYPD detective. We were talking about suits and the detective had mentioned that the suit is mandatory for law enforcement so the public takes them seriously. When serving a warrant, you don’t show up in casual attire. Several years later, I was selling MTM at Saks in Stamford and a customer walked in with a wrinkled shirt and chinos, young man in his early 30’s who was very successful. He ordered five suits as he was told to “clean up his look” due to his promotion. Months later I spotted the customer on metro north and he was very happy to see me. The customer said “ your suits changed my life ….. first, people now take me seriously in the office. Second, people treat me with respect and in turn I treat people with respect as well”. I could not have had a better compliment.
Sorry to be long winded, but dressing up shows respect and you get respect back. As a first generation American from immigrant Italian parents, dressing up always was a way of showing respect when going out or visiting relatives. My dad at 89 still dresses well. Finally, if a suit is properly fitted, it will not be uncomfortable.
Bravo Karen !!!! The world needs a remake particular in Airport travel hahahaha !! But Washington needs a remake not only in their Dress Code , but to be for the people they are supposed to serve !! Term Limits !!!
While I agree with and decry the continual slippage in dress standards for men and women, both in business and in politics (note Sen. Sinema), I would also point out the ruckus that ensued when Barack Obama first wore side vents and then had the chutzpa to wear a tan suit in July. And, by the way, what ever happened to seersucker day on Capitol Hill?
Karen…Well done editorial. I’m sorry this is the direction as it’s a sloppy look in an environment that should be memorialized. Unfortunately, after January 6th, I think decorum became a lost cause when that first window was broken. I believe this is more of a political statement than a fashion statement. It appears that Fetterman is supporting the same folks that were drawn to Trump’s “everyman” push and in ‘Pennsyltucky’ this is a big vote. He’s going after THAT one as Pennsylvania is a key electoral state.
All that being said… I miss Men’s Fashion and I blame the industry itself for killing it. ( Sorry guys). Many years ago, the push was made for a casual look that CRUSHED the need for fabulous silk neckwear, pocket squares, a well fitted shirt and a beautiful suit. In my book, SHIRT TALES, I described how this trend started and why. ( In my view, it was about greed.) Dressing up was fabulous and we were all making money and then some felt MORE money could be made by adding another fashion layer. This didn’t happen. Casual wear supplanted the look of a well dressed option and here we sit.
The good news: I think we’re now positioned to do BOTH. I’m a custom shirtmaker who has weathered many downturns and this one has a very positive playing field. Casual shirt fabrics are now colorful, interesting and awesome and I’m forcasting that the return to fashion dress is now possible as the economy improves ( and it will) . It’s been a choppy ride, but having sold custom shirts since 1965, I know that weathering this storm will be worth it. We ALWAYS come back.
Sorry about the length of this, but I’m a stand for the well dressed man. As our economy improves, those who follow it will want to have their image reflected in a positive way and fashion will lead the way …( My mouth to G-d’s ears)
Hi Karen. Naturally I feel the same way as you have written in this article and agree with the comments made by your readers. I am sure most of us would say that a sweatshirt and shorts on a Saturday in the backyard would feel more comfortable than a suit. However, we are talking about Capitol Hill.
I wonder why Mr. Fetterman is taking this stance. A proper fitting suit is as comfortable as casual attire, in fact even more so if it made for you. A suit that may be too tight is surely uncomfortable and one that is too big, can make you look like you’re wearing someone else’s suit and the result could be that you feel less confident. Maybe the gentleman from Pennsylvania simply needs a makeover.