Dressing professionally is always the right choice

This is my 37th year of practice, and to this day, our office has no dress-down day.

Re: the article “Suit? Khakis? Financial advisers ponder the power of pinstripes” [Feb. 1], this is my 37th year of practice, and to this day, our office has no dress-down day.

Because any of our planners can have client appointments during the day and all the appointments are in our offices, the importance of dressing professionally can’t be stressed enough. In addition, because we have many glass walls, each office must look professional.

I have found that when you are talking about some of the most important issues that people face, looking businesslike is the right thing.

I personally might take the extreme approach in that I never wear denim past the end of my driveway. (I think a blizzard might be an exception.)

Because I have been in the same town for so long, I never know who I will run into. My clients are everywhere, and they have friends.

I would prefer that if they meet me at Costco or at the car wash that I am never underdressed. Even at those places, it is just as easy to put on Dockers as it is to put on jeans.

I also think that if you dress professionally, you think and act that way as well.

Harlan J. Fischer

President

Branch Financial Services Inc.

Smithtown, N.Y.