Well, lessee ....

In an earlier life, I became a television journalist - reporter and anchor - after several years of being a radio journalist. My employers always insisted that I wear a nice suit and tie, or at least a nice sport coat, slacks and tie. They opined that on-air folk needed to dress their best, because, in effect, we were going into the homes of our viewers.

At first, that made sense to me. Then one day, I abruptly had me an epiphany. I tried to recall the last time I'd worn a suit and tie or a sport coat and tie to anyone's home. Only times I could think of were those few instances in which I'd gone to a home for a reception after a wedding or a funeral.

I NEVER dress formally when visiting friends and/or family. I dress nicely, true enough, jeans or slacks or, in hot weather, even shorts and Hawaiian shirts (my favorite attire) but not formal dress.

I thought of those moments in my broadcast career when I found myself looking very spiffy indeed in a three-piece black pin-stripe suit complete with spit-shined, gleaming shoes, as I thrashed through weeds, briars and mud trying to get to the site of a disaster of some sort, or trying to look as though my suit and tie were perfectly normal with a flaming home behind me, while spray from the fire trucks drifted across me. More than once, I drew one of those "What are you, stupid?" looks from responders or bystanders.

Watch today's broadcast crews. You'll notice that their attire varies to suit the occasion. You'll see suits and ties in a court situation and rain gear worn while covering a hurricane. Then notice the swarm of photographers milling about a news figure much like ants around a piece of fresh piece of bubble gum tossed into an ant bed. You won't see many suits and ties there. You'll see folks pushing and shoving like crazy to get others the hell out of the way, so they can capture "THE shot."

There's no such thing as a "pro photographer outfit." And keep in mind that there are those times when the LAST thing you want is to stand out as a professional photographer.

Dress to suit the occasion. Or to the client's spec. You don't wear the same stuff that you'd wear to a pro-formal cathedral wedding as you would at a wedding on a Caribbean beach, y'know?

Chris T, It may not be any of my business, but that is a pretty cold-hearted statement you made to Richard, "Just think, Richard ... then - you could travel again ... all ya wanna .... "

I'm sure putting his wife in a home so he can go travelling by himself and take pictures is the last thing he wants to do while his wife is sick and he is caring for her. Not what someone who loves their spouse, or a parent does. And I can say this to you because I know first hand what Richard must be going through because I am taking care of my 88 year old mother at home. My life is on hold and I can't do any of the things I would like to be doing, but I could care less about going out and taking pictures, or traveling, or anything else right now. Taking care of my mother is what is important... the other stuff I can do anytime.... and if I never get to do any of it again that is fine with me because taking care of my mother is more important and rewarding than any of the other stuff. You need to watch what you say to people. I read all your posts but I don't respond because I think most of your questions are just BS, and most of the time when people reply to you with an answer, you have a smart ass or condescending response back to them, as in this case with your response to Richard. Again, it may not be any of my business what you say to him, but that was a crude, low, uncalled for comment, which hopefully you have apologized for already, as I have not read the rest of this post yet. I just had to tell you what a cretin I thought you were for making that remark.

There was a time when I wouldn't wear anything BUT black socks ... but now, I tend to pay attention more to color matching ... I think that's the best way to remain inconspicuous ... you know dark green socks with dark green pants ... dark blue socks with dark blue pants ...
the rest ... just sorta follows suit ... dark green Turtleneck ... jacket, etc. ... whatever you can do to blend in, but - still - look good ...