Fashion is an expression of free will.
At least that's what our tenth grader claims, who is very happy that his British boarding school does without the school uniform.
Which is no coincidence, however.
This circumstance had a decisive influence on his decision to choose this educational institution.
Bettina Weiguny
Freelance author in the business section of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sunday newspaper.
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I myself have always given the children arguments against compulsory uniforms for the obligatory pros and cons in German lessons (“Should school uniforms be introduced in Germany or not?”), if only because of the profiteering associated with it.
However, since the Russians invaded the Ukraine, the uniform has experienced a fashionable revival.
Camouflage and a military look are now popular with customers well into old age.
I even predict that after the diffuse casual corona outfit, a strict dress code will soon prevail in the boardrooms again – long-sleeved khaki shirts in the Selenskyj style under a selfie-capable flak jacket.
All unisex, all gender neutral.
No fashion extravagance
Which brings us to the physicists.
As far as I know, this species has never been known for extravagance in fashion, apart from Birkenstock sandals, wool sweaters and shaggy hairstyles.
But those embarrassments are long gone.
It is all the more astonishing that a strict dress code was prescribed for an international physicists' conference that was just taking place in Thailand.
Dark suits for men, muted suits with blouses for women.
Tattoos and piercings, pant suits, sandals, colorful lipstick, bright nail polish, ostentatious earrings and ladders in the (mandatory) silk tights were forbidden.
Well, I've never been to a physics conference.
On the other hand, my father is a physicist and I have therefore met many physicists who would not have been remembered by deer antlers or war paint.
But well, in Thailand the king was expected at the opening ceremony, so etiquette is the order of the day.
Although: Isn't that the guy who always misbehaves in Bavaria?