Hasta La Ideas

While wearing a suit right now seems like a death warrant, given how hot and humid its been here in Chicago this summer, here’s a fun read from the architect, urban planner, and subject of the terrific documentary, My Father, the Genius, Glen Howard Small, on the importance of dressing up for work when you’re an architect. We didn’t realize Small had a blog, and although all the posts are written in all caps, we’re now hooked. In this post, he talks about his own experiences wearing the wrong things and learning that a suit could open doors for him, as well as dishing out some advice for how to clean up and look spiffy, even if you don’t have the means to spend a fortune. Here’s one fun anecdote:

In 1976 during a lecture tour that took me east, I stopped by Chicago and went to see the Graham Foundation. I do not remember the name, but the architect in charge of the foundation had a meeting with me. It was my full length afghan coat era. Pony tail and all the colorful clothing. It was winter, I looked like big bird. He was candid and said, “The foundation gives money to people like you, but I do not like you.” His office and he were all white and black slick. I have never received a Graham Grant.

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