This morning, I listened to The Indicator episode “RIP Business Suit?” about how the increasing number of people working from home during the pandemic may affect clothing choices after people start going back into the world.

For years, I’d been wearing button-down shirts with the sleeves rolled up and cargo khakis. It was a way to be comfortable, have pockets, and avoid drawing attention to myself, my top three priorities in clothing. Then in March (a bare two weeks into stay-at-home orders), I read Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe which has a short section on finding your own style and clothing as a form of self-expression (e specifically mentioned Taako from Thrilling Adventure Hour, which I loved). It got me thinking, and I’m not sure I’ve put on a button-down shirt since then? Certainly not for work.

Once I started thinking of clothing as self-expression rather than gender expression, over the summer I ordered a couple long no-button cardigans – they make me feel a bit like The Doctor (a good reference point for “space wizard”). Since going back to working in the building 3x/week at the end of July, I’ve been wearing library-themed t-shirts and usually a cardigan (though we’re heading into sweater season soon). Not sure what I’ll shift into next, but personally I’m glad the tyranny of the button-down collared shirt is over.