PLEATS AND ALL

Dear Spike:

I could have turned down the assignment. My job description has gotten a bit broader, over the years, but 'men's fashion reporter' still isn't on my business card.

But I'm not really a 'no' guy.

And that's how I ended up standing in the middle of my office in a skirt.

You can call it a kilt if you'd like. Some people even prefer the term "Men's Unbifurcated Garment" or "MUG." But it's a skirt. Pleats and all. I wore it for a week at the request of an editor from my newspaper who knows good story fodder when she sees it.

Life is going to offer you plenty of opportunities to say 'no.' And in many cases, that is the right answer. When you might hurt someone or hurt yourself, I expect you to say 'no.' Loud and clear.

But when you're given an opportunity to do something fun, adventurous or educational — and even if that opportunity pushes against your usual comfort zone — 'no' is a good way to miss out on a good time.

You're not always going to love everything you try (the kilt is comfy, but I'm not sure I really need to be the guy everyone stares at in the market) but the more experiences you can stuff into this life, the better.

So take the scary. Take the silly. Take the artistic and the edifying and the enlightening.

Take the drafty.

As much as you can, say 'yes.' To pleats and all.

Love,
dad