Fetterman Nation and the end of standards

Now people are surveilled and credit-rated to a fare-the-well, and gentlemanly (or un-gentlemanly) combat is uncommon in commercial circles, so we don’t need to signal those things anymore. Dress like John Fetterman – hey, the Senate changed its rules to accommodate him – and you’re still fine. At least, fine enough.

But James Bond still wears a suit, and shows like Mad Men have a certain appeal. Comfy as today’s schlub-wear is, I can’t help but feel that it lacks a certain panache and mystique that the dress of previous generations possessed.

Well, we can live without panache, and mystique. And likely will for the foreseeable future.

But maybe put on a suit now and then, just because.

[On this, Glenn and I largely think alike, and apparently have similar clothing policies. I have a number of good suits and sportcoats I rarely wear any more either, unless I’m on camera for an interview. However, there’s a big difference between business casual and what Fetterman is doing. I don’t even dress that sloppy around the house, let alone outside of it. As my colleague and friend Carol Platt Liebau remarked to me, if Bob Dole and Daniel Inouye could put on suits to attend the Senate, don’t tell me that Fetterman is unable to do so. – Ed]