Thread by @JoekillianPW

Unexpected impact of this pandemic:

I have, over the last two years, so fallen out of the habit of having to dress a certain way I now frequently find myself having to ask my wife: "Wait...is this outfit too business? Too casual?"

If you knew us, you'd laugh. 🧵

I went to Catholic school as a young man, was raised by a career Marine, often on military bases.

My entire adult life no one ever had to tell me to shine my shoes, iron a shirt, fix the knot in my tie.

But not *having* to dress has really thrown me.

I'm not working in pajamas most days or anything (not that there's anything *wrong* with that).

But when I put on a suit or even a jacket and tie these days it feels...like too much? Even in situations where I know it isn't.

My wife, who has always preferred more casual dress and often found me a bit fussy about my clothes, finds my new uncertainty a bit amusing.

I like clothes. But rules about them can be silly.

Once, after a week of walking all over Raleigh for stories in oxfords, my feet were sore. I broke down and wore a pair of tennis shoes to the General General Assembly building, where I again walked around all day.

Men still had to wear a jacket and tie to go onto the floor of the NC House or Senate and I certainly did. My Stan Smiths weren't technically a violation.

But they did get some notice.

As I was chasing down a quote from the Speaker at the end of the day, a young guy - most probably an intern - looked me up and down haughtily.

"Sneakers on the House floor?" he said. "Really?"

Kid was wearing a short sleeve oxford, bow tie and boat shoes.

I have never been more proud of holding my tongue, shrugging and smiling.