DRESSED FOR SUCCESS

It’s been said that the clothes make the man, or woman, and for many folks in their working career, it was true. Another piece of advice given was, “Dress for the job you want to have, not the one you’re in!”  In some ways, during the working years, a woman would hit upon the right combination of dress– clothes that gave a powerful impression of position, status, role, but were also functional and mostly comfortable. OK, maybe not the long-abandoned panty hose nor some of the towering heels worn. But for most women over the course of a career outside the home, they hit upon a uniform of sorts–clothes the could put together without using excess brain cells or time needed for other areas of life.

So what happens on the first day of the rest of their lives, when there are no meetings scheduled, or interviews to be held or had? For women in retirement their key objective now is comfort and if they can achieve comfortable style, that’s a bonus! Cue the yoga pants craze that has taken over just about every facet of a woman’s wardrobe–travel, workout, and even disguised sometimes as work pants or slacks. The inherent design of the yoga pants, usually black and with spandex and a supporting waistband (to prevent rolling when you’re doing a down dog!) feel like the most comfortable jeans you’ve ever worn, albeit ten times lighter in material. In some more casual offices, especially in creative fields, yoga pants are the uniform of choice.

I know some will say, “Yes, but they are EXPENSIVE yoga pants, with double reinforced seams and a boot cut flare at the bottoms…..And I don’t wear flip flops or sneakers, but REALLY NICE  canvas shoes!” The point is that there is a difference getting dressed for life and not getting dressed for a day of hiking, exercise or even house maintenance. I have found that my time, energy, and frankly, productivity, have a completely different tenor when I don’t put on “real clothes”. There is a whole lot of puttering around in casual wear, as that occurs, time just seems to slip by, with an entire day gone and me saying, “What did I do today??”

I think some men who had to wear a tie everyday in their working life will find the same concept to be true, once they retire and the tie comes off! Of course, that’s the point and a joyfully anticipated threshold which some men have been working towards their entire life. But with routines and uniforms comes rhythms of life, and the new rhythm in retirement needs a thoughtful approach to curating your look. Some men grow their beard and/or mustache, and I’ve known some male pilots who once retired, came to a reunion proudly displaying their ponytail– a real symbol of the FREEDOM  that non-working life affords.

But as much as I vote for comfort and casual wear, I know that I move differently and without much direction or self-discipline in my yoga pants. It may not be yoga or sweat pants, it could be your pajamas, but whatever you put on after years of your “uniform”, think of how it will impact the pace and tenor of your days. Some retirees have a rule that they need to be exercised, dressed and out the door by 10am or 11am everyday. Others may work on projects at home or in the garage, but if so, choose a specific type of casual wear to work in. This topic of clothes choice may seem quite trite when there are many other issues facing retirees, like finding meaning and purpose in the next chapter. But as in the career life, dressing for your successful retirement just takes a little thought and effort, and once done, you’re on your way FORWARD!