Louise: What I do like about North American society is that we tend not to over-emphasize visual images and make snap judgements about people based on their front "cover". This is why for work hiring, by law in North America, it is illegal to submit photos of oneself with your resume.

Totally different practice in many Asian and European companies which some firms ask out right for a photograph of yourself when you email /send your resume. I worked for a German company that is here in Canada and with alot of ex-patriate employees from Germany, U.K. and Philippines. These are university/college educated employees.

As an example, there was young German engineer, who started with the firm. He wore a suit a tad too big, he looked stiff but he was pleasant. Then over time, he understood the corporate work culture, simply dresssed/carried himself in a more natural style and became a resourceful, helpful person. Had I judged him solely on his attire, it would have been unfair and I (with emphasis on myself) would have been criticized for being negative.

I do feel the visual dress and image is important in the workplace up to a certain point. What is noticeable to me over the past few decades, is more women showing their decollatege...so different from 20 years ago. To me, it is the younger generations that can be abit too casual and need to be guided.

However the attire that you see in my photo or wearing of lycra shorts/tights after getting off the bike, I have worn and strolled into workplaces where the corporate culture ranged from very formal (courts, law firm) to more relaxed (engineering firm, construction site), I have never worried about what other people think, even if I look sweaty/splashed up due to rain. Then I get changed into work attire

I'd rather convey the message to any employer that I care about my health, I am doing something about it, I am physically mobile and alert (not aging and incapable), instead of wondering if people will make snippy remarks about my shorts/legs, etc.

I really do want to be careful about over-emphasizing visual self-image to others. It can be a barrier to cross-cultural, cross-class integration and diverse community building.

A few years ago, there was a discussion in opera enthusiasts and classical music subscribers, about the younger generation /others attending a lovely opera/symphony in jeans, spiked hair...not important? I'd rather remove the barrier of "proper" clothing requirement (as long as they aren't barefoot/wearing bathing suits) and rope in more future younger enthusiasts for Pucinni, Mozart, etc. concerts.