I have a theory, one that might sound a little old-fashioned, but I truly believe it holds a kernel of profound truth: I think if people dressed nicer, the world would be significantly less douchey.
Hear me out (or read me out), because this isn't just about aesthetics; it’s about a fundamental shift in self-perception and how we interact with the world around us.
Cast your mind back, or simply look at old film clips and photographs. There was a time, not so long ago, when certain occasions demanded a level of sartorial respect that feels almost alien today.
Boarding a plane wasn't an excuse for pajamas; it was an event, often requiring your Sunday best. Heading to a concert, whether classical or a big band, meant dressing up. A simple dinner out at a restaurant wasn't just about the food; it was an experience, and your attire reflected that.
I often watch old clips of The Tonight Show from Johnny Carson's era and I’m always struck by the audience. They look distinguished, mature and entirely presentable. There was an undeniable sense of occasion, a tacit agreement that showing up meant putting in effort, not just being physically there.
Contrast that with today. What do we see? A pervasive slovenliness. T-shirts with questionable slogans, stained sweatpants, ripped jeans that aren't fashionably distressed but just plain worn out, and footwear that looks like it belongs nowhere but the gym -- and certainly not a trendy WeHo gym (we'd have you thrown out!).
There’s a palpable “I don’t care” attitude that permeates public spaces. It's not just about comfort; it feels like a surrender to apathy, a dismissal of any communal standard of appearance. And I can't help but wonder if this widespread disregard for dress code correlates directly with a decline in common courtesy and an uptick in what I affectionately term douchey behavior.
Here’s my core argument: when you make an effort to dress well, something shifts internally. It’s not merely about looking attractive to others, though that’s an undeniable side effect. It’s about cultivating an overall presence of being a distinguished adult.
When I button up a crisp shirt, put on a well-tailored jacket, or even just choose a pair of smart pants -- dare I even use the more formal word trousers -- over faded sweats, I feel different. There’s a quiet dignity that comes with it, a self-awareness that influences my actions. I find myself more mindful of my posture, my language and my interactions.
Think about it: how often do you truly see a man buttoned up in a formal suit at a public event getting into a pushing match and slap fight with someone? Not often, if ever. It’s a rare sight. My observation, and I believe it's one many can corroborate, is that those engaging in the most boorish, belligerent, and frankly, idiotic public displays are often the very people who look like they’ve just rolled out of bed or are en route to a monster truck rally.
It’s the person in the stained hoodie and saggy pants who seems most likely to yell at a flight attendant, cut in line or engage in a petty confrontation. They often project an air of entitlement and a lack of self-control that seems, to me, to be inextricably linked to their outward presentation.
I believe this isn't just a coincidence. When you dress like a "goon," you often feel, and subsequently act, like one. There’s a psychological feedback loop. Putting on formal attire, or even just smart-casual wear, subtly demands a higher level of conduct from you. It reminds you of the respect you owe yourself, the respect you owe the occasion, and the respect you owe the people around you. It fosters an awareness that you are part of a larger society, not just an island of one. It suggests you care enough about yourself to present well, and by extension, you care enough about others not to be an asshole.
Of course, I understand that clothes don't magically transform a person's character overnight, nor do I suggest that everyone who dresses casually is a low-end parasite of society -- though I'm gradually leaning more and more in that direction the more I see viral videos online.
My point is about the collective impact of intentionality. It's about the effort, the subtle ceremony and the underlying respect that dressing up implies. It's about elevating the everyday, not just for grand occasions, but for the simple act of navigating our shared public spaces.
Perhaps if we collectively put more effort into dressing up and presenting ourselves with a bit more intentionality, we might find ourselves inhabiting a world where douchey behavior diminishes. A world where civility makes a quiet, yet powerful, comeback.
It's a simple act, really, but I believe its ripple effects could be surprisingly profound. We might just rediscover that sense of maturity and mutual respect that feels increasingly lost today. Though, I'll be honest, I'm not holding my breath.