Instead of “bringing sexy back,” let’s bring professionalism back — in clothing.

The trend for today’s society is bringing back styles from previous decades, like high-waisted shorts, crop tops, leggings, etc. I think we should go on and add the requirement of dressing professional in a professional setting to that list.

Casual dressing seems to become more and more acceptable in a professional atmosphere these days. But if you ask me, professional attire should still be a requirement for all professional settings.

A person’s clothes say a lot about them; who they are and where they want to go in life.

Now I’m not just talking about jobs that are in a professional office type setting. All professional settings aren’t just at the office: weddings, dinners, meetings, etc., are all professional environments as well.

I’m also not talking about wearing a complete suit and tie or a pantsuit to work every day because there is such a thing as being overdressed, too. I am saying that if you are going to interact with someone on a professional level throughout the day, you should look good.

The first part to getting someone to take you seriously is dressing is dressing seriously in turn.

Recently when I was shopping for clothes to wear to work, all I kept thinking is, “I do not want unaffordable, older-looking and uncomfortable clothes, but I need to look good at work.”

I am happy to report to you that there are plenty of affordable, comfortable, age-appropriate professional clothes that come in many different styles out there.

Just because times have changed and the new generation — my generation — prides on individuality, doesn’t mean we can’t look nice when we are in a professional setting. We have a hard enough time getting our elders to take us seriously, but if you have a professional type job or are attending a professional-like event and you dress unprofessionally, that just adds to the hardships we have to face in gaining the respect of others.

Dressing in this type of attire not only looks good to other people, it makes you feel good as well. Look good, feel good, right?

When you feel good about yourself, you gain confidence that helps you succeed. Confidence is one of the keys to succeeding in life.

Many things can go wrong in a professional setting, whether it’s a job or not. Most of the time it is out of our control, but lacking on the part of professional attire in the professionalism department should not be one of them.

REBECCA CHAPPELL is a staff writer at The Tidewater News. She can be contacted at 562-3187 or rebecca.chappell@tidewaternews.com.