Okay, so some of your hairs are turning gray, there may be a little paunch, and you have to whip on those reading glasses more often than you ever used to. You hear stories and gossip about celebrities and people whose names you don’t know. You pass the tabloids in the checkout like at the supermarket, and it reinforces your fears.
The women don’t eyeball you so much anymore, and though you tell yourself you are a happily married man it would still be nice if they blessed you with the occasional once over. You realize you don’t play video games and your text messaging skills leave something to be desired. And whenever you pass the dinosaur exhibit at the museum, your kids can’t stay away, you feel a strong sense of identity with the big bag of bones in the middle of the tableau.
And then there is your job. You feel threatened. If there is downsizing, you want to keep the wolves at bay. You want to keep the younger Turks from taking your job. Retirement parties give you the willies. It’s like a wedding where the one sister gets married and the guests turn to the other and ask, “so when is it your turn?”
So you think about dying your hair, buying a new wardrobe and, above all, learning how to text message with reasonable skill. You want to look young, but if you have any sense you don’t want to look stupid. You may feel out of place right now, and you want to fit in. But the wrong move, and you will stand out in ways that are simply embarrassing.
Perhaps you should take a hint from Andy Warhol. He explained you should find something classic, something that always works, and stick with it. In his case her chose a sport coat, Levis Jeans, and either a black turtleneck or white shirt and tie. Everybody knew that was Andy. He was Andy this year and Andy the next. Andy was a classic. He let his work sets the trends and sharpen up the cutting edge.
Now with the hit television show, “Mad Men,” the rage, men and women are reverting to classic dress. The economy has something to do with it. It always does. Economic downturns call for more austere appearance and for employees to look more responsible. In the era of “Mad Men,” fifties and sixties advertising agency stuff, men and women wore simple outfits, what they used to call the Brooks Brothers’ natural shoulder look. Narrow lapels, narrow ties. Colors were muted, simple lines.
It isn’t easy finding a wardrobe that makes you look distinctive and distinguished. But if and when you do, then you become a classic. You will see. People will respond to your differently. You won’t be on the margins; you will matter. That is, provided you have the personality to go along with it. But at least you have a fighting chance.
As for Andy Warhol, despite all the controversy, think of yourself as that Campbell Soup Can. Distinctive and classic.
Check them out before you hire.
