Whiling away the Monday blues over a cup of coffee with a friend reminded me of our psychology teacher who used to say ‘I am who I am and I can only be myself’. It was interesting to remember how we used to dress as college students. One would wear his favorite team’s jersey and it was appropriate. Diversity, enthusiasm and dynamism took centre-stage. No one complained.

More interesting in our coffee engagement was reckoning the values our teacher held. His teaching style and his dress code were contagious. For instance, it never made sense to him why a teacher should not wear his favorite hip-hop jewelry to class. On many occasions, he argued that wearing jeans or a pair of suit pants did not make him any less or more of a teacher. "In fact, ‘I teach better when in my casuals than official outfits’, he would emphasize. Although his sentiments, elicited little meaning to me then, they now have weight.

The business environment is characterized by ‘classes’. These niches or categories that people in a whole are placed, create an undeniable platform from which judgments on dressing codes and styles are done. Expectations are already inscribed in our minds on how certain things and situations should be. Trying to make adjustments puts one in an ‘unknown’ zone.

For centuries, the societies have respected established truths and ideals. However, these structures should not limit us from exploring other creative representations of the original idea. We may call it stereotyping, wrong, a lot of other things. But we have to come to terms with the fact that the natural processes dictate our personalities.

On the basis of personal preferences, most people want to dispute whatever ‘style’ that has been in existence. We have always wanted to change things because we don't like them, or feel personally offended by the settings. Our values and traditions have been crafted in such a way that they appear to be our instincts, which shrink or burst at the slightest provocation.

Since people hold dear to their values and traditions (not withstanding the prevailing trends and styles) it may be unfortunate that the traditional corporate lawyer will never show up to work in baggy jeans, sneakers and a white t-shirt. Because some just look too artificial in those sleek designer suits.

As our coffee cups ran dry, we were on top of a heated argument on whether or not the solution is to have ‘dress codes’. “Dress codes in school, yes. Dress codes in the disciplinary forces, yes. Dress codes at work…yes. Dress codes in personal settings, walking down the street, NO! As long as it is within the limits of the 'law', who is anybody to say otherwise?” posed my friend.

Many people do not dress the way I think they should, but that is my opinion. I may hate to see guys’ underwear or their pants belted so low that their behind is actually not even covered by jeans.  As much as I may not like the way a lot of people dress, it's not my place to tell them to change. Short skirt or underwear outside, hey, it's personal taste and just because someone chooses to dress in a certain way does not necessarily mean they are looking for attention, although some do.

If you are offended, don't look. Everyone has his or her own style. Some people don't fit into any of the categories or niches. And that's good; it means they are unique and original. Do not to be too quick to judge; neither should you be too offended!