Introspection Found in a Suit

Over the weekend I was honored to be an usher at the wedding of two great friends.  We had a really great time celebrating, and I got that warm fuzzy feeling that you get at a wedding when you know that the couple is truly meant for each other.  I also had to Dress to Impress and wear a suit.  I hate dressing up.

I've reached the point in my life where I can no longer get away with khaki pants and a button-up shirt at formal gatherings.  This was very apparent when I under-dressed for my cousin's wedding last summer.  It was an outdoor wedding on a hot summer day and I thought comfort and practicality would prevail in the wardrobe choices of the guests.  I was wrong.  While I hate dressing up, I learned that I hate under-dressing even more.  Who wants to stick out and look like a schmuck in front of the whole family by being the only guy not wearing a blazer?  I felt like a lightening rod for the biting wit of my judgmental family.  Ugh.

I own a nice suit that I bought three years ago to wear to my job interviews as graduation approached and I had to secure a "real job."  Unfortunately, a sedentary job and diminished athletic activity has taken its toll on my physic.  Thus, in order to avoid any hushed Chris Farley jokes at my expense I needed a new suit jacket.  The marketing machine of the local mens formal store was kind enough to sucker me into buying more that I intended by offering the evil and manipulative "free" bonus.  With the purchase of a $99 blazer I was awarded a pair of free matching pants.  The sales person also convinced my wife that I needed a new tie to complete the package.

I planned to buy a $79 blazer and instead got a $99 blazer, matching pants, and a tie.  After alterations and taxes the total bill was $160.00.  I'm a sucker, BUT at least I didn't look like a schmuck at the wedding.  I also took solace in the fact that this entire package is exactly half of what I paid for my last suit.  Yep, my last suit that was worn about a half dozen times and outgrown in three years cost $320.  

The way I look at it today is that I've made progress.  I've realized that the way I dress does matter from time to time.  I've realized the direct costs of being in bad physical shape, and since January I've been at the gym 3-4 times every week.   I've grown more frugal and spent half as much to buy a suit, simply by ignoring the brand name.  Finally, I've realized that I am not a financial robot and that slips and compromises are a part of the process. 

Who knew that buying a suit could be such an introspective process.  Thanks for reading.