Today as I readied myself for a weekly meeting I attend, I carefully selected the clothes I wore. Not as armor, but as a desire to fit in.

My goal is to effectively align with the other participants. It’s a means of establishing rapport and to signify that I desire to belong. All human beings – with the exception of the dedicated nonconformists – unconsciously observe the clothing of those around them in social settings. Men as well as women… I know this because my husband is a prime example. He wants to align with the unwritten rules and customs of other men.

We wear costumes.

Not as a disguise. I am a person of candor. I know who I am and I like my spirit of whimsey and wonder.

Sometimes we dress to impress. Prom and a wedding are prime examples. Parochial schools have long-mandated uniforms, a costume that reminds the kids to conform to a code of conduct and religious decorum. Public schools have begun to mandate costumes, too. This banishes awkward clothing choices made by rebellious teens. With donations, uniforms afford poor kids something to wear. A group identity and school spirit evolve when all are costumed in school colors. Go, Team!

Some kids adore wearing uniforms because they don’t face the morning conundrum of what to wear. Some rebel.

I’ve written about costume demands to appear playful for my toddler clients while simultaneously projecting competent and knowledge for their parents in my private practice before: https://www.pjcolando.com/who-do-you-dress-for/

Halloween is the holiday that values costumes for children and some adults go along with the festivities, especially if invited to a party.

What’s your custom, Constant Reader? Costume or not? We showed you ours. Please post a costume you’ve worn in the comments. I’m eager to see. Do you allow yourself to be childish or dastardly?