I’m going to buy a new suit today,.
It’s a little crazy, since I don’t wear suits, Or ties. Or anything formal at all.
I’ve been know to throw a sports coat over a tee shirt if necessary, but I completely abandoned neckties about 15 years ago (because they are stupid) and stopped wearing suits unless I’m working as the DJ at a wedding or officiating a ceremony wedding and am asked to wear one.
On Saturday I’ll be officiating the wedding ceremony of one of my very first students, so I’ve decided to up my game a bit. The suits that I own now are all too big for me, so if I must wear one, I’ll at least get one that fits.
That said, the suit industry is cratering. Suits are less expensive today – about 25% cheaper than back in 2000 – and overall sales of suits have steeply declined.
In 1950, the average American man purchased 0.5 suits per year.
In 2018, that figure was down to .07 suits per man.
The suit is dying a slow death, and thank goodness. Like the necktie, which is little more than a decorative noose, the suit It serves no earthly purpose, and in most cases, simply represents a barrier between those can afford a good suit and those who cannot.
The sooner these unnecessary ornamentations of the fashion industry die, the better.
Good riddance, you wasteful, pointless, stupid convention.
That said, I’ll buy my suit today and happily wear it on Saturday because I’m thrilled and honored and overjoyed to be officiating the wedding of a person who I first taught to read and write way back in second grade.
A young woman who later became the very first babysitter of our children.
A person who we have thought of as a member of our family for a very long time.
Though I admittedly become obstreperous and grumpy when I’m forced to wear something because of silly social conventions, this time it’s different.
I’m not wearing a suit because anyone is expecting or demanding that I do. I wearing a suit because I’m excited to do so for Allison, whose wedding day deserves to be perfect.
