|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Mail:
Telephone:
Internet:
thresher@rice.edu |
| Casual Day has become new dress code for the nineties |
|
by Anne Kimbol
CASUAL FRIDAY has lost its heart and soul. The basic idea was to allow people to be comfortable and thus more efficient at work. Last week, however, Wall Street and the Gap paired up to show how far from that idea we have come. When the New York Stock Exchange suspended its dress code, the national news linked the story with the Gap's new clothing line because the traders wore Gap clothes on that momentous day. By providing clothes for the traders, the Gap took advantage of a great advertising opportunity and treated the traders like little kids being told what to wear to school. Representatives from the Gap had gone around beforehand and distributed khakis and shirts as if the financial minds behind the most powerful stock exchange in the world could not dress themselves in the morning. Not only was the event a strictly commercial activity run in a rigid fashion, but many of the brokers felt uncomfortable about it. They have had a dress code since the late 1700s. The crisp suit and tie look of the New York Stock Exchange is part of its image. By eliminating that, even for one day, some felt that the entire operation was undermined. For me, this was the final straw. Americans need to take a deep breath and learn to relax again. When Casual Friday becomes the target of rigid regulations, and people feel pressure to conform to its rules, something has gone incredibly wrong. Casual Friday is not; it's a requirement. Even Rice is not safe from this Clothes Gestapo. It seemed that the entire campus was wearing Tuck Fexas shirts last week. There was a rule imposed from up high that seniors should not wear class rings until Tuesday's Ring Night celebration. The fashion police need to take a break. There are more important issues in the business world than what people wear, and I know problems at Rice which should concern the Student Association more than what shirt people wear to a game. Get over it. That's my suggestion. Wear what you want while you can, whether that means slipping on your class ring a few days early or putting on a suit or dress on a Friday. Get done what needs to be done. If you have extra time to worry about clothing, look at your own closet. Let everyone else deal with theirs.
This item appeared in the Opinion section of the October 3, 1997 issue. |
Copyright © 97 The Rice Thresher. All Rights
Reserved.
This document may be distributed
electronically, provided that it is distributed in its
entirety and includes this notice. However, it cannot be reprinted
without the express written permission of:
The Rice Thresher, Rice University, 6100 Main, Houston, TX 77005-1892, USA.