The men's suit. It's a way to not be naked, but it's also a powerful signaling device that's very culturally loaded 
suits are the uniform of power, wealth, and success. That's why "power suit" is a thing, and "power tie" too
suits are about self-respect, showing "sense of occasion" and respect for others, or setting (e.g. important transactions, graduations, funerals, weddings)
Suits are a fashion platform. Just like a piece of bread is just a setup to 1k different sandwiches, suits are just an invitation to self-expression
In #Freemasons circles in the USA people like to fight about suits. Lots of lodges require them. Some consider it old fashioned/unnecessary. Others consider it absolutely necessary
It's a symbol fight: those against old-school signaling vs. those after the meaning of the symbol
It's a symbol fight: those against old-school signaling vs. those after the meaning of the symbol
old-school signaling: I don't want to flaunt wealth or create an overly formal, stuffy atmosphere I just want to be me
meaning of the symbol: we aim for self-respect, sense of occasion
the men's suit, in 2022 is stuck in the middle
meaning of the symbol: we aim for self-respect, sense of occasion
the men's suit, in 2022 is stuck in the middle
in Silicon Valley, casual wear (the hoodie) eventually got usurped by the $800 luxury founder hoodie. "How to signal wealth & power while still looking relaxed and informal"
the existence of such things is a critical clue that the clothes don't matter, the signaling DOES
the existence of such things is a critical clue that the clothes don't matter, the signaling DOES
if fashion is self-expression, suit resistance makes a lot of sense as a way young people intentionally differentiate themselves from the cultural norms of the older generation. And they have; suits are out of fashion in most work environments; expensive casual is ascendant
for #Freemasons I would hope that we would insist on the ideas of self-respect, sense of occasion, while being willing to bend on most everything else. After all, nobody's wearing suits like these, this stuff does (and should!) change
In certain contexts (notably, funerals) self-expression takes a back seat and "sense of occasion" is in the driver's seat
look at how they all look the same, this is on purpose, and is arguably good (in this context)
Are clothes signaling, or self-expression? Yes.
look at how they all look the same, this is on purpose, and is arguably good (in this context)
Are clothes signaling, or self-expression? Yes.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
