The Slice: Summoning our inner glad rags

Casual Friday always seemed redundant in Spokane.

Sure, a few madcaps in professional offices used the weekly occasion to ease their standards for sartorial selections. But mostly things around here were business as usual. You know, relaxed. Really relaxed.

So that’s probably why Casual Friday faded away as a thing. Well, that and the fact that a fair number of people don’t enjoy being expected to express their fun-loving side in response to dictates spelled out in an interoffice memo.

The whole thing lacked a certain spontaneity. And it could be argued that it never had much of a point.

But there is something we could do that might.

What would you think of Dress-Up Friday?

Please don’t cringe. Hear me out.

As we all know, Spokane has a reputation for being a ballcaps and T-shirts city. This has been part of our civic self-image for so long I fear some of us have forgotten that we can make ourselves quite presentable when the occasion calls for it.

OK, we have all heard the stories about slackers at weddings and funerals dressed as if they are going to mow the lawn. It happens. But I am willing to bet it also happens in other cities.

The thing is, here in Spokane I fear some of us have accepted slouching toward slovenliness as a universal reality even more than is merited.

So wouldn’t it be reaffirming to see our workplace colleagues spiffed up for Dress-Up Friday?

I think some of us might enjoy being reminded that we clean up pretty good, as they say.

Now admittedly, there’s a drawback. Not all of us are entirely comfortable in our sharpest attire.

You wouldn’t want to spill coffee on your best suit or smear a top-end blouse with some workplace ooze of one kind or another.

Moreover, wearing your finest duds simply would not be appropriate in many job categories.

But for those who enjoy flexibility in what they wear to work, wouldn’t it be worthwhile to at least consider Dress-Up Friday?

Can’t promise anything. But I have a hunch seeing everyone all spruced up and decked out in their stylish grown-up apparel might have a salutary effect on how we view Spokane and its citizenry.

I don’t plan to do this myself, of course. But I’ll be cheering you on.

Today’s Slice question: What’s your best autograph story?

Write The Slice at P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; email pault@spokesman.com. Ever meet someone who seemed to believe he or she was doing us all a favor by living here?