Do the clothes really make the man?

I just love love LOVE the news about Obama ditching the Bush-era dress code for the Oval Office, like this one in today's NY Times. I believe it was the President's first full day on the job (aka last Wednesday) when he was photographed in the room without wearing a jacket, and apparently people were flipping out because under Bush it was not only considered proper, it was the rule.

So, why does this make me so happy? Well, I've long believed that dress codes are silly and misguided, and I've had several debates with friends about the topic. Business, Business Casual, Casual Friday. I mean, does it really matter what you wear so long as you're doing your job and doing it well? Does clothing have any impact whatsoever on whether you meet your deadlines or bring in profits? No. No, it does not. I've had several different jobs over the past few years -- writer at the McLaughlin Group, temp at a law firm, Desk Assistant at the NewsHour, and Professional Development Director for RPW -- and in each and every role I've always done my work to the best of my ability. It didn't matter if I was wearing a skirt, jeans, leggings or flip flops, I just did my freaking job! In fact, I probably dress the most casually right now -- pretty much anything I want -- and I'm working the hardest.

I understand the need at some companies for basic clothing standards so that one wacko doesn't come to work in his underwear ("what? this isn't allowed?"), and I also agree that some clothing, or lack thereof, can be considered offensive to others in the workplace. Beyond that, I think employees deserve to wear clothes that make them comfortable and productive.

Clearly, President Obama understands that history will judge him not based on whether he wears a jacket in the Oval Office, but on what he does for America. And that's all that matters.