The apparently irresistible rise of the slob is hardly our most important problem. Compared with the continuing pandemic, massive crime wave, inflation, and international competition, it’s not even a problem at all. Still, I’m convinced that the degeneration of dress contributes to the malaise that currently grips American life — or at least its professional classes. Looking like we just rolled out of bed makes us feel as if we’re still sleeping. And that’s bad for work, study, and social health in general.

There’s some scholarship to support that conclusion. Over the last decade, a series of studies found people think better when they dress up. In one analysis, researchers argued that changing into formal clothes improved subjects’ results on cognitive tests. Contrary to stereotypes of the slovenly genius, in other words, wearing a tie makes you smarter.

Other studies emphasized social influences. People tend to respond favorably to high expectations for success. And in many situations, those expectations are associated with being well-dressed. In a different experiment, participants wearing formal clothes got better deals when negotiating with those who were casually dressed. The researchers speculate that this effect had to do with clothing’s power as a symbol of status.