Somerset Maugham once said that the well-dressed man is the one whose clothes you never notice. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy would probably settle for “no slippers at TSA.” Has America turned into a nation of slobs? Duffy seems to think so. He recently launched a campaign encouraging travelers to dress like adults, arguing that sartorial choices influence behavior, especially on airplanes. “Whether it’s a pair of jeans and a decent shirt, I would encourage people to maybe dress a little bit better, which encourages us to maybe behave a little better,” he said. And, more bluntly: “Let’s try not to wear slippers and pajamas as we come to the airport.” He’s spot-on: sloppy dress reflects a lack of self-respect and projects immaturity, which, in turn, sets a poor example for youth. Maybe the novelty attire should stay in the hamper, and the kids should get dressed. Modeling maturity is the right thing to do. But Duffy’s proposals transcend air travel. Too many adults dress as if childhood never ended. Pajamas, hoodies, sneakers, and far too many ironic novelty tees have become standard — especially for men, who no longer see value in presenting themselves as grown-ups. There was a time when appearance conveyed responsibility, discipline, and self-respect. Today, comfort and irony carry the day. What do we make of the 48-year-old father/accountant wearing a Pokémon T-shirt to parent-teacher night, or the 31-year-old commuter programmer sporting a Saquon Barkley jersey at 8 o’clock Mass? These attacks are too easy, and too fun, and seem almost too mean-spirited to be justified. But they are not — and Duffy is on to something. Dressing like a sixth grader conveys a lack of attention to what it means to be an adult. Men of earlier generations dressed like adults because they wanted to be grown-up. Little boys wore shorts to signal childhood, and when they came of age, they aspired to look the part: shoes polished, trousers pressed, ties carefully knotted. Shoes were investments, worn for decades and broken in with care. Socks were smooth, over the calf, and never crumpled. Shirts were dry-cleaned and hung neatly in closets. Coats were substantial, enduring, heavy with presence. Hats completed the ensemble — fedoras, Homburgs, flat caps procured on travels. The clothes made the man and conveyed a sense of thoughtfulness, discipline, and responsibility. If you doubt it, watch almost any film from Hollywood’s golden age. Cary Grant, Sean Connery, William Powell, David Niven — men who could hail a cab, solve a crime, drink a martini, and still look like adults while doing it. We don’t need every dad in a cul-de-sac to dress like he’s walking onto the set of The Thin Man, but come on, maybe give a little effort! No one is asking Little League coaches to show up in a three-piece and a fedora. But there’s a big stretch of common sense between Cary Grant in a chalk-stripe suit and a dad who looks like a hobo tumbling out of a boxcar. Once you start noticing these choices, it’s hard to unsee them. Today, comfort has replaced discipline. Hoodies, sweatpants, sneakers, flip-flops, and casual tees dominate. Fathers in goofy garb, sporting clothes branded with “I Paused My Game to Be Here” and “The Dadalorian: This Is the Way,” have replaced dressing like an adult. When did everyone decide they had to be “cool”? These novelty tees are not doing the job. You’re a financial advisor, married with kids, living in a suburban cul-de-sac — you’re not cool. That’s okay. Stop trying so hard. As Duffy observes, proper attire could improve behavior and just might have a much wider cultural knock-on effect. In short, adults need to grow up and dress with more intent. There once was a standard. Grown men tried to present themselves as adults: cops, firemen, farmers, bellboys, salesmen, clerks — they tried to look the part. Trousers — yes, they used to call them that — never sagged, shoes were not sneakers, and ties — yes, people used to wear them — were subdued yet versatile. Sure, there were outlier slobs, but at least they were outliers; now they are the norm. So next time you see little kids in the supermarket in pajamas, look at their fathers. Chances are they’ll be sporting a “DILF: Devoted Involved Loving Father” tee. Maybe the novelty attire should stay in the hamper, and the kids should get dressed. Modeling maturity is the right thing to do. Dressing consciously, with a bit of respectful attention, signals to kids a standard worth maintaining. Suppose just a few men reclaim even a portion of that discipline — it might signal something to themselves, to society, and to the next generation that little things matter. Sean Duffy is onto something: a little formality could go a long way. So the moral is this: Dress like a grown-up — your kids, your neighbors, and the TSA will thank you.” READ MORE from Pete Connolly: The Great Gatsby at 100 Yes, New York Times, A Christian Can Be Both Pro-Life and Pro-Secure Borders When Youth Sports Stopped Being Fun