As Americans returned to the office after the COVID-19 pandemic, many adopted a style that became known as “workleisure,” as CNBC reported at the time. “Ties are out, and stretchy pants are in,” they claimed. Well, Iowa is not New York, and if you are a guy like me, you haven’t worn neck ties in quite a while. Having said that, I am also not wearing stretchy pants to work, or anywhere for that matter. And, thank goodness.
Dress attire has changed a great deal in my lifetime. When I graduated from college in 1990 and started working at The Des Moines Register, I needed to purchase some business attire. On my first day, I called on Joe Tumea at the Foreman and Sons clothing store in Southridge Mall, and he not-so-subtly pointed out that I was dressing “like a college punk” and that if I wanted to be respected in the business world, I needed to dress professionally. Within seconds, he had his measuring tape out and was fitting me for suits. Later in life, Joe and his family opened one of my favorite restaurants, Tumea & Sons. I reminded him of this incident one evening over an incredible lasagna. He reminded me that he was right.
My father had a slightly different outlook on what to wear. He owned a gravel and excavation company and was covered in dirt and grease most days. His daily dress code consisted of blue jeans and work boots. But. when it came time for church on Sunday, he almost always wore a suit and tie. His belief was that we should all wear our best clothes in a place of worship. If our best clothes were T-shirts and blue jeans, then so be it. But, whatever our best clothes were, those should be the ones worn in God’s house. It’s difficult to argue with that.
Check out old photos of attendees at baseball games, and you will see crowds of men wearing suits, ties and hats and women in dresses and heels. Try finding that today.
There are still a few hold-outs. My friend Joe Mathes wears a suit every time he flies. He says he feels like he is treated with more respect when he does. I think he is right.
Admittedly, our dress code at Big Green Umbrella Media is the most relaxed of any place I have worked at. I expect our staff members who work with readers or advertisers in person to be dressed in business casual (no jeans), but those who work in the office can be on the relaxed side (but no shorts).
Meanwhile, don’t expect to see Joe Tumea — or me — in stretchy pants.
Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305