Grasshopper Green

I was at the grocery store the other day and the teenage girl standing in line front of me was wearing her pajamas - she was even wrapped up in a blanket instead of wearing a jacket. It got me to thinking about personal appearance and what is acceptable now versus what was acceptable "then".

My grandfather prided himself on never wearing a pair of jeans in his life because they were farmer's clothes. I never saw my grandfather wear anything other than a pressed pair of khakis or trousers and a polo or button down shirt. When I used to work at a grocery store, there was an elderly couple who came in about once a week and I never saw the woman in anything other than a skirt, nylons, and pumps. Her husband always wore a suit. My grandmother used to live in a retirement home. Dinner at the home was something to dress up for, it was an "event". The ladies all wore lipstick and dressy blouses and men wore slacks.

Nowadays, jeans are big business and everyone wears them, even to work. Fewer women wear nylons (except mixedmedia). Running around in pajamas/loungewear is common - high end fashion companies have their own lines of loungewear, etc. Casual Friday has turned into casual everyday with some companies.

Personally, I wear a lot of jeans; I am a child of the 80's and I grew up in them. I have dressy slacks, but I don't wear them often because I work from home and when I do go into the office, the atmosphere is casual and jeans are accepted. I own one dress and it is reserved for funerals. I don't wear pajamas/loungewear anywhere but home, it's just not me. My grandfather died in 1999 and I think he'd be appalled to know that I wear jeans to work and even worse, that my boss allows it. I do dress up for family events, parties, etc. Even if I wear jeans, I wear a dressier blouse and spend extra time on my makeup.

How do you dress? Do dress for comfort? Do you think the era in which you grew up still influences your style/manner of dress?

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Formerly Medusa

bagatelle

I'm 40+ and jeans are my usual clothing at work or running errands. At home I often wear more slacky clothes. In winter or autumn at cold weather going to a store I may just put on winter jacket and trousers, that will hold the wind (not sure what you call them), and I don't really have to worry what I have underneath. As long as it's warm!

Usually dressing better means replacing jeans with something else, often trousers though, I rarely wear skirts or dresses.

snowy

I work with little kids, and they could care less how I dress, whether my hair is done, or if I have makeup on. I wear tracksuit pants to work frequently, alternating with jeans and other casual pants (I love cords). Part of it is the activity level of my job; I need to be wearing clothes that allow a lot of freedom of movement because sometimes I am sitting on the floor with the kids, kneeling next to a kid, etc. I was getting my picture taken recently for a church directory, and the photographer asked if I was a P.E. teacher because of how I was dressed--I told him he wasn't far off.

I also live in an EXTREMELY casual town. Oregonians don't really dress up much. You could get away with wearing jeans and flip-flops to the fanciest restaurant in my town; if a restaurant were to try and enforce a dress code requiring a collared shirt or a tie, they would probably go out of business. There is also a university here, which means a certain segment of the population wears pajamas and slippers/Ugg-type boots everywhere. One of the parents I used to nanny for said she loved the fact she could get away with wearing her pajamas to the store. No one in this town would look twice at you if you did. I think you'd get stranger looks if you were dressed to the nines.

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LaLa1

I'd have to say that I'm about the same, I wear jeans to work with a sweater or blouse. At home I wear lounging clothes, "jammies" I call them but really it's more like elastic waist lounging pants and t-shirts. And in the summer it's flip-flops all the way, don't know what I'd do if I had to give those up!

I've recently been exploring my options in the job market and have had a couple of interviews, it's been a stretch to find anything left in my wardrobe that is appropriate for interviewing and I realize that I'll have to invest in some new clothes if I do find another job.

I'm actually kind of excited about that idea. I'm 40+ and lately have been missing wearing nylons, skirts and dresses. Maybe I'm just looking to feel more feminine, or maybe because when I was younger that's how we dressed. I never once saw my mother or grandmother in jeans now that I think about it.

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bagatelle

I can totally relate. I was home for more than 5 years after my daughter was born and last winter-spring I had a few day care kids at home as well, so there was practically nothing in the wardrobe when I started in the office (out of home!) in June. Still it's very casual there though.

And I got to make a trip abroad this autumn. I don't fancy nylons, but I got the chance to wear a mini (denim) skirt, leggings and long boots.

I remember, when I was 22-23 (in early 90's) and a colleague over 30 said her little sister (around 18) had told her women over 30 should not wear jeans at all. That was then.

I've recently enjoyed wearing very narrow leg jeans. They are fortunately quite flexible.

Leto

jeans is my casual choice at home, or on Fridays at work. slacks for work, with a crisp, collared shirt. Ties are very rare now. The only time I wore a tie in 2010, was to our company Christmas party last Friday (ironically, the opposite of casual Friday) because I was wearing a suit.

Women seem to roam the range from dressed up to casual at work. I rarely see nylons at all, and my wife was worried that she would be inappropriately dressed at the Christmas party because she was bare-legged. This was not the case as almost every girl there had bare legs, or very fancy stockings on.

Casual wear isn't always jeans for women. I have to say that the recent trend towards Lululemon leggings is nothing but good:



yoga, yoga clothes, yoga wear, athletic apparel, pants, mats | lululemon.com

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bagatelle

^^ I would like that sort of pants, but different type of clothing always gives me a problem with shoes. The boots I own now, wouldn't be approriate.

ZombieSquirrel

Very true. The people that I know that dress otherwise tend to be from out of state. The students definitely do not put in a lot of effort.

It's casual Friday at work today so I am wearing jeans. That's not the case on a normal day. If it's a regular business day, I wear slacks or a skirt and a nice top. I wear dresses a lot, because I like to. If I am meeting with a donor or going to an event, it's a suit, pumps and nylons.

My coworkers have commented that I am usually the best dressed and have had friends say I have excellent style. If you saw my closet you'd see that I love to shop. I even gave away A LOT of clothes before I moved.

My off the clock attire is more relaxed. However, now that I am getting older I prefer to not wear pjs or sweats to the store, but used to do that all the time. I will change out of my "work clothes" when going to the bar to casually hang out with friends.

I'm not so good with the hair and make up. I want an easy wash and go hair cut and wear minimal makeup if any at all. I have good skin, so I can get away with it for now.

I would actually love to live in an era with people who put more effort into their appearance.

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jewels

Jeans aren't equivalent to slacking for me. How you wear and accessorize them can dress them up or down. I wear them at work when I can get away with it, otherwise it's usually cords, khakis or trousers. I haven't worn panty hose since I was 17, except under jeans when traveling to colder climates. It's too damned hot here most of the time.

I have run out of the house in sweatpants or running shorts on occasion (no PJs, thank you!), but prefer to at least wear a pair of jeans and a tee. Mama always taught me that you never know who you're going to meet and where you might meet them.

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Willravel

We're not as rigid anymore.

Wes Mantooth

I'm not sure if its a nessecarily a generational gap thing, although I'm sure that plays a role. I was born in 1979 and grew up during the 80's and 90's in a very rural area, most people were either farmers, loggers or factory workers and with such a large blue collar population "fashion" was never important. Growing up I remember most men (aside from winter coats and such) always walked around in their work clothes, jeans, tshirt/button work/flannel shirt, baseball hat and work boots in fact most would be out and about while on a break or at the end of the day stinking to high heaven and caked in dirt...or something worse. Unkempt beards and mustaces were common and nobody gave a shit what their hair looked like, it was kept short and usually under a hat anyway.

The only time anybody really ever "dressed up" was on Sunday at church and then it was the nice jeans, the clean shirt and the not so beaten up work boots....or my favorite the old farmers special flannel shirt, dicky work pants (often green), boots, green tie and sports coat. Anybody dressing any nicer then that would have stood out like a sore thumb.

I would say the "style" was handed down to our generation and judging from how my grandparents dressed and seeing old pictures I would imagine older generations did the same. Its certainly influenced how I dress and look, I always feel out of sorts in anything other then jeans/shorts & tshirt and you wont find me in much else unless I NEED suit/tuxedo or something for work or special occasions.

It would seem to me that how people dress is based as much on where you live, how much you make, what you do for a living...class structure and all that as much as it is generational. Although I do agree that with each passing generation it has become more acceptable to dress down and neglect your personal appearance.

EDIT: How in the hell did I manage to write that much about rural fashion?

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mixedmedia

Since I am no longer working, I wear jeans, capris, shorts and skirts to school for the most part...all with t-shirts.

But when I was working in offices I would always wear slacks, dresses or skirt/blouse combos often with pantyhose...sometimes not, depending on the shoes. I like feeling pulled together at work, but admittedly such folks are a dying breed it seems.

When I start working as a nurse, even though I'll be in scrubs, to be sure they will be crisp and clean.

I'm ok with being a slob most of the time - I've walked the dog in my pj pants before - but not at work. Just doesn't seem right somehow.

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dogzilla

When I started working full time my job required at least a dress shirt and tie with dress pants. Some companies required a suit. When I started with my current company 30 years ago you could get away without a suit if your job didn't involve meeting customers, but shirt, tie and dress pants was required. Some managers held it against you if you didn't wear a white shirt.

Around 1990, they started to relax the dress code and jeans with a decent shirt was allowed on Fridays. Now, it's pretty much casual dress all week and some people stretch that to wearing shorts to work.

Outside work, I'm almost always wearing jeans or shorts and a tee shirt for comfort. Sometimes if we are going shopping my wife will be on my case that I need to dress nicely so people won't think I'm a bum :-)

Martian

I work in the IT industry, which is notoriously casual. If I'm clean and don't stink, I'm probably acceptable. Given that, I don't have a 'work' style. Jeans are the norm, though I do have a couple of pairs of slacks in my rotation as well. I tend towards collared shirts of various colours and styles, worn over a t-shirt. I may or may not do the shirt up.

I also always tuck in my shirts. If the outer shirt is unbuttoned I'll obviously leave it untucked, but the t-shirt underneath will be tucked in.

Then again, I'm also known for my fedora. My style is remarkable in that it isn't further away from the norm.

I can't fathom the idea of leaving the house without first making myself look at least halfway decent. Pyjamas? Were you raised by wolves?

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Baraka_Guru

I work in publishing. It's more or less "where what the fuck you want unless you're lobbying the government." We sometimes dress up for events, which means biz-casual for conferences/conventions and something artsy for launches and readings (think jeans and a jacket, think scarves and knee-high boots).

Oh, I work from a home office, so in my case, it's whatever I want. I'm usually in jeans, T, and cardigan. But some days I will wear pajama bottoms if I know I'm not going outside anytime soon.

I used to think dressing up was cool in theory...but now I'm not so keen on it. When people get on others' cases about their garb outside of business- or formal/event-related situations strikes me as tragically Victorian.

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Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
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fresnelly

I mostly wear jeans but in the past couple of years I've upgraded from T-shirts to button down collared shirts and or nice sweaters.

I've never been comfortable in formal wear and suits. I think that comes from my all of my suits over the years being ill-fitting and dated numbers that my mother picked up at second hand stores. I have no confidence in how they fit and I don't like fussing over them. They make me feel like a sham.

I'm going to buy a classic dark corduroy sport coat to augment my standard look at work and I kind of see it as a transition piece for wearing proper suits in the future.

When I look back at pictures from the 40's and 50's I'm always amazed that everyone wore hats. How did people deal with Hat-Head? I guess that's what all that pomade was for.

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EventHorizon

i'm right there with you Grasshopper. people just dont care anymore how they look (which is why ripped jeans saw a boom in the lat 90s?) and its kind of a tragedy that they dont. i mourn the loss of the days when people wanted to look as good as possible without being in their Sunday Best. luckily i dont have to worry about what to wear because i have a uniform to put on every day

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BadNick

I'm a boomer, recently clicked over 60. But I feel so hip to the jive and with it because a couple weeks ago I got my first pair of flannel pajama pants thingies that I now wear around the house and even if I run out to the store. They're very comfortable and cozy in chilly weather. Yesterday I took my older 15 yo son to the discount designer mall or whatever that joint is called and while he bought a bunch of Polo stuff I got two more pairs of flannel pj pants. I wouldn't wear them to work, though. For work everyone is totally casual. I usually wear jeans and a nice sporty shirt unless I have to see a customer and then I'll wear dressier pants and a shirt; tie and jacket are no longer necessary and since when I visit a customer or they come to my office they aren't dressed more than that, I'm not either.

Grancey

Men wore their hair so short that hat head was never an issue.

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biznatch

I work as a telemarketer, but still have to wear a suit, because I get to see the clients I bring to the company when our consultants meet them, as an opportunity to eventually become a consultant myself.

I don't dislike wearing a suit, I feel like a different man in it, with a self-confident strut and all; but it is a drag to have to go home and change before going out.

My casual wear is so unlike my work wear that it's almost funny. My friends are used to seeing me in jeans that are sometimes ripped and some old comfy hoodies, so they always make fun of me or give the mocking oooh/aaahs when they see me in a suit.

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bagatelle

Even though I only wear jeans to work, I still dress better than at home and changing to working clothes sets me ready for the mood. Like dressing up to a party would make me feel a bit different.

Since I have never worn any specific working outfit, I can only imagine a police or nurse wearing a uniform gives them more self-confidence in their job. And they probably can more easily get distance to their work image, when they take these uniforms off. Can anyone confirm this?

Grasshopper Green

I'm rather thankful society isn't so rigid anymore. I'd loathe having to wear a skirt and nylons and heels to be acceptable at work. Like fresnelly mentioned, I've never felt comfortable dressing up - it's not me. Society can have my jeans when they pry them from my cold, dead legs.

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"They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings; steal a little and they throw you in jail, steal a lot and they make you king"

Formerly Medusa

mixedmedia

This is my Me-maw (on the left) and her friend out for a day of shopping in the 1940s. I would be perfectly content to pull myself together as such every day. And what's more, I would be fine wearing the old-fashioned nurse's uniforms with the little hats, too, in fact I would prefer it.

__________________
Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce

Baraka_Guru

I'm always reminded about T. S. Eliot's reputation for having worn suits everywhere he went. Virginia Woolf, for example, would write her brother-in-law: "Come to lunch. Eliot will be there in a four-piece suit."

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

snowy

I think it's different if it's not a choice. For example, my mother was not allowed to wear pants to school until 7th grade. I think our perspective about dressing up or wearing certain clothes would be different if that was what was required of us.

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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

mixedmedia

There are always fashion requirements. Expectations of what is appropriate. Even in an age when there are 'no requirements,' which is sort of a misnomer.

__________________
Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce

ring

There have been times, I've been lured to venture outside of my cave.
I've been told:

"I clean up well."

StanT

I spent 2 decades wearing a dark business suit, white shirt, and tie. These days, those sit on a hanger behind the door in my office in case I need to meet with a client, unexpectedly. I generally wear khakis or nice jeans and a dress shirt, these days.

I'm a slob at heart; but that isn't the image I need to project at work or anywhere else, really. To each, their own; but Uncle Phil's Images from Walmart series pretty much defines where I'd draw the line on unacceptable attire.

Wes Mantooth

Yeah there's casual and then there's I've completely and utterly given up on life and am perfectly content to walk around in public wearing a pink, thread bare t-shirt that's 8 sizes to small and tiny jean shorts tied up with a rope.

There's a much bigger gap then people think between wanting to look like you don't care and genuinely not caring at all.

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