Story by Bridget Feyo, Rogers; Edited by Lale Akkin, Mounds View; Image by Lindley Johnson, Shakopee
Clothing says it all. Going to the grocery store? Throw on some sweats and you’re good to go. But going to a job interview? You should probably shower, do your hair, maybe apply some makeup, and most importantly, pick out some sophisticated clothing that looks nice and matches well with a suitable pair of shoes.
Finally, a few sprays of your best perfume or cologne and you’re ready to go. The difference between these two events is that one looks like you just threw on your closest comfy clothes whereas the other one shows that you have somewhere important to be or something important to do.
But why does it matter what you are wearing? Clothing can be the biggest impression maker when meeting new people or just passing by others. If you look nice or put together, people might have a higher respect for you. If you are wearing your pajamas, you might be seen as sloppy and looked down upon. Wearing nicer clothes especially improves your mood and how you act throughout the day. Drew Uttech from the Rogers Delegation says, “I feel so much more powerful, especially with a bright pink tie. I don’t know why but bright colors and a suit just makes me feel all confident.”
Dressing nicely has always been a thing in the fashion world, with women’s fashion in the early 1900s usually consisting of long suit dresses made out of sustainable fabrics, such as silk paired with suave laces surrounding the neck and wrists, and other fancy accessories. Dressing nicely showed that you were upper class and probably had more money than some would ever see in their lives, whereas the poor had scrappy-looking clothes that were used over and over again. Dressing well has carried throughout time and will continue to resemble that of attentive, reassured person who has elegance as well as style.
All forms of work in the government are going to require at least business casual attire when working, and this includes the Model Assembly conference every January. Students wear their nicest clothes and shoes. All delegates are seen wearing an array of business casual attire which gives the conference a much more professional feel to it and also helps to mobilize the atmosphere of the mock government feeling like a real one. Berit Rosenstiel from St Anthony Delegation says, “I enjoy getting dressed up for the conference. I find it more immersive when we’re dressed like little business people.” She’s not the only one who finds dressing more business appropriate makes the conference feel more saturated with a proper ambience. “I like dressing up, I feel very professional, and I really think it adds to the atmosphere at the conference,” says Amelia from the New Prague Delegation.
By all means, if you want to go to the grocery store in a suit, go all out, but it’s not recommended to wear your Christmas pajamas to your first day of work, even though they are probably your comfiest clothes.