Recently my nineteen-year-old daughter attended a performance of the Spokane Symphony at the Fox. Wearing a floor-length dress, shiny scarf, and fun shoes; she even did her hair in a modern version of an up-do. Because of the elegance of the setting, she knew she would not be overdressed. The couple beside her wore jeans and sweatshirts. Uh – I mean sweaters.
We who call Spokane our home enjoy many and diverse opportunities for culture and the fine arts. Wouldn’t we enjoy the experiences even more if we made the effort to wear something that respects the venue, the performers, and ourselves? Certainly I am not advocating a restrictive dress code, but remember: Wherever you go, you become part of the visual experience for everyone else. Dressing with care is not tyranny; it’s self-expression, celebration, art. Won’t you join me in decorating our cityscape?
Wherever you go, there you are.
(Originally written for EWU rhetoric class, November 19, 2010)
Here’s what I wore to the ballet earlier this year. http://www.delightingintoday.com/2012/03/what-i-wore-to-the-ballet/ But, yep, there were people in shorts and people in cocktail dresses. Always interesting to people watch. 🙂