~Suits~

~ Dress-Code ~ Dress for Success Progressions ~

Twin, Lar, and I worked after school at Kinney Shoe Stores; Best Shoe-Dogs, ever. At the time mandatory to wear complete suits-ties: Fell in love with the cute cashier; lesson learned don't play in your own backyard! Whew, a lot of gabby-girls flowed through all day - shoulda stayed in that biz...!

Worked in Dads' Glass factories while going to school. He Bellowed, "Get out there and get your hands dirty." Henceforth I wore a sports coat and tie everyday and he reluctantly gave me an office job, with a cut in pay of course. Remembering: A girlfriend came to pick me up for lunch. She was the daughter of a 'doctor' and wouldn't leave the general offices to go into the main working area. Dad said, "Dirt is cleaner than recovery room blood." I know he was so profound - we broke up..!

While in the Navy I wore dress whites so overly starched that cracked with even careful movement. I wouldn't dare trying to just sit down to avoid creasing; though proud to be a G.I. (Government Issue). Once the uniform was a real Girl Magnet - Not so now I reckon.

When in fashion we wore shiny polyester suits with button down vests; way too flashy. I was on the road schlepping franchise programs that we created-wrote and registered. But, I couldn't even go into/or out of a restaurant without curious small town folks surrounding me: Who was this big shot from HollyWeird with wrap around shades in a baby blue M.B. with California tags.

Never my personal dress-up style, yet truly an Over Exaggeration Observation, for many in the Next Stage of the 'Suits' - The Armani look. Hard for the Z's to fathom this, once referred to as Preppy, 'Young Urban Professionals; aka 'Yuppies.' Double breasted suits with wide suspenders holding it all up, with stuffed $ gold money clips in pockets; just for showoff. Shiny tie pins going through holes in starched collars holding in place wide ties along with their initials on the sleeves; gaudy cufflinks a must.

To top off the 'Look' worn were large single stone (sapphire or opal) pinky rings; a look so captured in '60-'70ish sitcoms - emphasized by the pinky-finger sticking up while holding a martini. Those of you reading this while wearing 'Slogan T-Shirts' may be amazed by this attire: It was what it was with these short lived fashion statements.

~ Full Time Casual Fridays ~

I may be exaggerating a bit; though dress code is very different of late. Brother has a gorgeous penthouse suite in the finest part of town. Professionals come to work wearing tank tops, huarache sandals with dogs, birds on their shoulders and other exotic pets tagging along.

- It ain't a sin to be a Schlub ~ but it is to appear as one -

Recently we had a young man fill out an application for employment who was degreed and excessively qualified for his job category; we did not accept his application. He had blatant tattoos and piercings all over. I suppose it's just me regarding first impressions: He didn't even bother ironing out wrinkles in his clothing before appearing before us. It shouldn't be about him. This is not in our clients best interest to focus on his body displays before anything else. Of course he sued us for discrimination.

*As an aside to our VocalBucket: I chose to write this reach back 'Short' topic to give a little breathing space within current political issues for a few moments.

We're seeing the future coming in all directions; a little harder for we OldSaltScribes to swallow. And those new to this are becoming discouraged due to the onslaught of Ai.

Authors faced issues getting a story written that no longer exists today thanks to technology. Situations that we dealt with feverishly getting a piece out are non-existent. Such as our snail-slow story telling ability on a 'punch-touch' typewriter. We'd hang long rows of white correct type-tape around our necks, no autocorrect then, and tossed crinkled sheets all over the floor that didn't fit with the way we were going; there's always something. There are obstacles within any profession - if we are writers, we should just write.

-Value your own words no machine can compete with that-

Jay Kantor, Chatsworth, California

'Senior' Vocal Author - Vocal Village Community -