Take a look at television shows from the 1950s or at "Mad Men," and note how stylish people dressed when in public. They were very popular, but most of the suggested hotels were skid-row dives and the restaurants tended to be of the Automat (remember them?) And guess whatI can afford my groceries,too. It doesn't take much money to wear actual pants in public, instead of sweats and basketball shorts. Personally,I fail to see how any of these teens expect to be taken seriously in the real world,when they dress like dumpster divers,street walkers,and wannabe gang bangers,and are covered with tattoos,body piercings,and other mutilations.News flash child,nobody wants to see your underwear,or your scrawny (or giant) backside. All you could find was dotted bras, leopard patterns and colors like orange and green an purple, but notam something as classic as ordinary white. No one has any problem showing their underwear or lack thereof. But nobody has a problem because there's no need for them to look any better or have pride in themselves; they get the work done and life goes on. Hi Pam: Your blog has really got me going about how indecently people are appearing in public these days. Well, if everyone is tattoooed then they all look the same, which is to say they all look like shit together. Very nice post! I first wrote about the downfall of Victoria's Secret here a good 5 or 6 years ago, but the topic is worth revisiting. When people who appear in front of millions on tv don't know how to wear a suit, then you can bet that Americans have a real problem with dressing right. This explained all the jamming issues and stoppages they continually experienced during the contact we were engaged in. Respect has to be earned,it's not an entitlement. Well, it seems that while the masses are eager and salivating to spend $1,000 on the newest Iphone, they are reluctant to clothe themselves properly, or don't care or know how! (Never mind the fact the photo I used showed a woman shopping for food in the grocery store.) I went to Las Vegas (for the first and last time)for a business convention in 1990 and was staggered by how badly everyone in the casinos dressed. So what's up with the overly-shaggy haired and bearded look in which famous men appear these days? Burlington Coat Factory, Filene's Basement, and Marshall's all have designers clothes marked down to ridiculous prices. I don't have a lot but I manage to look my best in any given situation. )From my first office job in the mid-1980s up to 2000, I always had one suit in the cleaners, 2-3 "work suits" in my closet & 1-2 "good suits". Is it because they are trying to imitate little joke ass punks like Justin Bieber? It's spring time again, and now the slobs are out en masse wearing ugly shorts, displaying their ugly, dumpy bodies and trashy tattoos. La La Land indeed. I doubt people will look back fondly at this decade with how much garbage is being pushed into our kids and teens now. If Justin Bieber gets twenty tattoos on his body, then this must be okay and cool for the young and dumb kids to do. They have ruined their otherwise good looks. I remember as a kid we dressed up to go out, even if it was to an A&W. I know this was kind of long but I wanted to get some of thoughts out their on the whole americans dressing like slobs issue. This nonsense needs to stop right now. Unless you have a personal tailor, probably at least 99% of clothing sold in what was once middle class retail stores is cheaply mass produced in some chinese sweat factory. Love your observations, Doug. I thought this was so disgusting that I called the store and told them to look out for this person who went in. I think it can be said that never before was a population of citizens in supposedly the world's most prosperous country so hideously attired. So I'm thinking that now even dining out has been monopolized completely by technology. So while you can hold on to your crop tops and ratty band tees, you may also think twice about where and when you wear them. The rise of casual style. Now, if I was on-site somewhere and pulling data cables or working on equipment, I would wear a pair of jeans and work boots and a decent shirt. They would judge you because you are not a mindless sheep buying the latest leggings at Victoria's secret or not dressing like a hipster. China would probably invade us if we cut them off and started manufacturing real clothing of our own again, like we once did. And if you haven't picked up on it, I am a male myself who holds these "old-fashioned" opinions. Not so Caroline Wozniacki and some others I'll go on to mention. They have already been forgotten and more mass shootings will inevitably follow. The youngish male weatherman (or meteorologist) appeared on the screen for about thirty seconds to give an update on the weather conditions for the country. Hot pants are maybe not the best idea at a gourmet restaurant. 286 friends. Regardless, my clothing fits me as it should and is clean. I volunteer at a thrift store. Said restaurant now has little, brightly lit computer monitors obtrusively placed on every table. To wit, Notre Dame professor Linda Przybyszewski teaches . Speaking of strange body piercings, has anyone seem the disturbing trend online which may or may not be Photoshopped where people are piercing the sides of their faces and expanding the holes so that you can see their teeth? and implants. Apparently you're not allowed to have an opinion, especially if certain people disagree with it these days. I agree with you, Anonymous. However, there is such a thing as being too casual. Who are they trying to impress if anyone? I'm optimistic for the 2020s to see if we will see a fashion renaissance. Contrast this to what we are used to seeing in the US now - baggy jeans with the croth around their knees, t shirts that look about 2 or 3 sizes too large and ugly trainers that look like they were made for walking in space. Also, I've never understood the appeal of bulky hooded sweatshirts, particularly on women. Too much soft-pedaling stuff/PC ,these days,is another part of the decline in class,IMHO. what happened to nice variety of long and short woolen coats? Also, I realize that appearance isn't everything and that personality has to be accounted for when recognizing nice people. "Dress for success" is a true statement. But I can say this with a shudder: If I were a lesbian, I would not find this type of hideous look the least bit of a turnon. Having said that, I wholeheartedly agree with you; the absolute laziness and sloppiness of people (including, but not limited to, prospective employees) appalls me. I prefer the traditional look. s-a-h-d. Another excellent post! I don't think so!" I'm not sure what dressing down has to do with Trump or mass shootings. P.S. SupaSaucy. During my childhood in the 1950s, the manner of dress was much more formal than it is today. I get turned off by the ugliness of tattoos and poorly and slovenly dressed people every time I go out. Hi Pam! Casual pants with bleach spots and rips as fashion. I refused to have them on my ops after that incident. I also believe the idea of having a foreign substance such as ink -- which is often made in China -- could have side effects years from now. Well don't just attack guys. I personally don't like it but to each their own. She walks with her "family" into the store. Justin Bieber in all of his tattooed, T-shirted and untamed hair glory earlier this month in New York City. Stars like Jonah Hill, Shia LaBeouf, Post Malone, Wiz Khalifa and Justin Bieber dress like dorm-room slackers, supercharged with AmEx black cards. Ironically, I think that this is where most of today's confusion originates in the problems that are upon us now. I see it all. I think dressing is a lot of fun and it's sad that more people don't see the fun in it. This has, like evey other stupid thing, become endemic to so-called American culture, and it's really annoying to me. Feeling good about. We went to a concert at the Beacon (unbelievably ornate) and most of the women, no makeup, bare legs, tattoos, ugly clothes, appalling! Someone on Facebook (not a fan of the blog's page, but another page who shared it) took offense at the post and said people don't have enough money to afford food with this economy, let alone proper clothing. Obviously they pay money for all of it! I'm 62, Navy vet, retired engineer (Computer/Electrical), have been in the IT field for 30 years, and I'm a writer and artist. If there is a piece of your content used in one of my posts that you wish removed, kindly contact me via the contact form and I will delete it. Others are just plain lazy. Quite absurd and totally devoid of fashion. when running errands, by the way. Large breasts swinging to and fro makes for an ugly site from gals who are not attractive in any way. I work in a hospital and every morning, the filth that comes in is strangely the same; middle aged or older couples deessed in old nasty t-shirts with some ugly meaningless logo, sweatpants for the gals, dirty jeans and tennis shoes for both and nearly all smell like ash trays. Now, I should add that I do have long hair (which I keep tied back when in public) and a longish beard (also kept neat and clean). Sure, everybody thinks that because they live in the United States of Moronica, have tattoos, piercings or want to look as though they have been living in a homeless encampment (even if they really don't) that this is freedom of expression. And no,I am not by any means rich or well off. I once went to a Meetup event after work once that was held in the downstairs lounge of a nice local restaurant. Every time I see some eejit wearing pants that are 10 sizes too big, waistband below their butt, flaunting their boxers to everyone--I want to give them a good paddling for being slobs and see them shamed by standing on a busy street corner wearing a big sign about being a slob in public (or something to that effect). I might wear sweatpants at home in the cabin, unless I'm expecting someone or plan on going somewhere, though out in public I try to look at least decent and clean. Variety is the spice of life. It does not look pleasant. I find that the males are dressed far better than the women today in my area (North East)I was just in Manhattan a few days ago. Half the time you cant figure it out. I work in an elementary school and always dress professionally even though my title is not a high one at this point. One tie rack in the back. Its very obviousThey look pleasant and situationally appropriate. no just NO. A good appearance doesnt just earn you respect, its a way of respecting yourself and boosting your confidence, which is something lots of people would benefit from. I wonder if the slobbiness could be a cause of a societal lack of confidence, or, the other way around, if a societal lack of confidence could be the cause of slobby appearance? Now that I'm more mature, I want to completely revamp who I am and have a classic wardrobe with mostly dresses and skirts. As I passed one couple, I heard the wife tell her husband, "Follow him, Ed. I try to look as good as possible when out in public. It's sad that people find flipping through Instagram more important than there own appearance. One of Spokane's long-embraced myths holds that our attitudes about casual attire are sharply divided along generational lines. Sorry for the rant, Pam. One goes to the grocery store and can use the self-checkout lane, yet human labor is still needed to oversee that we can, ironically, do it ourselves and not cheat or steal while doing so. Yet, I trust that Pam is continuing to keep up appearances, and hasn't succumbed to the low mindset of looking like them? As Maher pointed out in his on-air editorial, if you can afford $17.99 pajama bottoms with the Budweiser logo on them, then you can afford the $11.99 jeans at Target. Hi Pam, I just came across your page and the "class" part is spot on. George W. Bush later made blue the power tie of choice. Plus although they're rare, there are risks with getting tattoos such as contracting a skin infection. These people are an eyesore and they're getting worse! The only people that I know who dress acceptable are the elderly. I was a sales associate in the men's and coats departments. You go into public and see people who don't even try to get dressed after getting out of bed. I feel nostalgia now for the days when I worked in a chain retail store--only twelve years ago! 12 Courtney Love Courtney's style has always been along the lines of grunge/alternative so the preppy pant suits and super sexy dresses were never exactly her thing. This is what "American culture" has given to today's world, and people eat it up like candy because they want to be like these people. The woman he was with had on shorts, tank-top, an un-zipped hooded sweat jacket and tenni-runners. Groups of people working side by side like work horses, but who don't connect and form a community. Keep that in mind if youre older than 12. Because of fear of communism, all kinds of social organizing has been discouraged, and now they are reaping the rewards. Unless they are a Doctor, all are dressed like trash. Even when I dont wear makeup or style my hair, I see to it that I am clean and presentable. I'm not asking that every man dress like Don Draper and go to work wearing a suit, tie, and hat (but us ladies would certainly not complain if the working world looked like that again; just saying.) Then there are the so-called mens suits, again, made from cheap, chinese polyester fiber with no wool. Then you use your finger to sign the screen! It's absolutely ridiculous. As for ankle pants--what happens when winter hits? He had appeared regularly on CNN to discuss the missing Malaysian airliner wearing jeans and open plaid shirts, which didn't sit well with viewers, who told uFly's owner that he was "shaming Canadians" and making the country look bad to the rest of the world. My first job out of high school was in a home improvements store, and in 1980 they werent permitted even there! Or in my neck of the woods, if you have hundreds of dollars to drop on Red Sox tickets, beer, and hotdogs, you have more than enough for a decent coat or jacket. Thoroughly enjoyed reading the article and all the comments! Most Americans dress like absolute slobs and should be ashamed of themselves I've been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to travel outside the US. Now in winter everyone looks the same with the same over the knee length cheap looking mass production made coats and jackets. A pair of nice Wrangler jeans (no holes, slashes, not faded or thread-bare), a pair of Vasque hiking boots that are clean and in good shape, and a decent shirt or pull-over fleece sweatshirt (depending on how cold it is). "if you're counting on your appearance to carry the day, it's doubtful you have the chops to compete any other way. What a dreary culture. It connotes laziness, carelessness and boorishness. Those cost money so its funny how none is spent on clothes yet tats get it. I don't consider the Kardashians a good example of the point you're trying to make, because a lot of what they wear is trampy. Its all about money, many do not have the means, i get it, ive been poor too, but i never looked like a mentally ill hobo. I dont have to dress up to please you. I usually end up wearing jeans, t-shirts, leggings, sandals, sneakers, and boots because theyre the most practical and comfortable for me. What happened to the days when you had to go out "dressed appropriately"? I have one word for uFly's owner and his decision: huzzah! Women should never wear leggings - if only they can see how awful they look in it, or maybe they know but it is what the stores want you to buy so they all buy the same crap. Loving the commentsBobby, I wonder if that travel guide you mention was responsible for starting the phrase "ugly American." Burned, frayed, roots grown to their ears, two or three colors at the same time (not to mention all the blues and pinks and purples), long, puffy, messy, uncombed.. It's really gotten ugly out there, I am sorry to say, when I feel compelled to report these public obscenities now. They totally remain the property of their respective owners. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Where to see one man play a cop, mob widow and teen gamer, Georgia player under fire after racist remark during 2023 NFL Draft on livestream, Dad of crying infant that triggered Texas massacre 'never thought' gunman would shoot, Megyn Kelly sports red MAGA-style hat in poolside pic, Gayle King says she doesnt have a desire to retire: I want more work, WNBA star Brittney Griner is heading to the Met Gala, Mariah Carey celebrates Moroccan and Monroes 12th birthday: My babies, Elon Musk Tells Bill Maher Woke Mind Virus Is Dangerous On Real Time, Kendall Jenner rocks sheer top, fur mini skirt for date night with Bad Bunny. Good piece, Pam--I honestly think about this almost everyday (from an office perspective). Dressed to kill means to get noticed, to make yourself look really good by wearing your best clothes. We were being robbed from the Japanese. I actually had a senior faculty member come and talk to our new faculty about how to dress professionally (and why it is importantand these weren't just the stereotype faculty who lack "social skills," shall we say? He's on a couple of Board of Directors for various companies and museums and many times times has come home after a big meeting and said he was overdressed. I spend a lot of time wondering when people will care of such things again. Good for you. You know, older people here are mature and appropriate, while younger. You know,like they actually give a damn about themselves. Today, I still go out in public wearing decent-looking clothes. At least my friend agrees whole-hardheartedly that it's a disgusting trend (she only has a single piercing on each earlobe for an earring and no tattoos; I myself have no tattoos or piercings--don't want any). It isnt limited to certain age groups anymore, either. It has really become pervasive, and I won't go back to eat at a restaurant that operates this way. We get very nice clothes. Have you noticed how horrendous women's hair styles look nowadays? (1995). I just don't get the whole "grunge" look. People at my age with several tacky tattoos, girls with half of their heads shaved, boys only wearing basketball shorts and baggy t-shirts. No one at it.I honestly think my boss likes it this way though. I'm still waiting to see if it will. And I think these big fat slobs SHOULD be shamed. Post Comments I will add it is related to class to some degree. It's a complete difference in attitude between what my grandfather would have considered appropriate or even halfway decent, as compared to the 20 year old pop culture twits who have infantilized the world with their inane behaviors and digital music. Another point of contention is how everyone gets away with using profanity, whether they are politicians making a speech, or even Ken Jennings on Jeopardy, who was "bleeped out" on a recent episode. I am a male in my early thirties who has, or at least once had, a penchant for "dressing up", before the economy crashed. They are always wearing a suit that's been tailored to work with their physique, and fit them properly, or a nice jacket over a button down shirt. I see plenty of people who should know better. Spike Lee in a purple outfit and some presenter in a woman styled suit. There are these weird stretchy spandex dresses women wear that look so terrible. My husband and i go out to expensive music performances, some of them classical, and I see older people dressed just as heinously, though. I cant recall the last time I saw a nicely dressed female in public. 135. Even though America is still in an economic depression (yes, it really is! I'm a guy and I feel like you about this issue. Very well said&very true. I suspect some women don't even look at the mirror for a second. Have lunch with friends in a "dress" that looks like it is a loose, wrinkled top (did you forget your pants) and shoes you could hike in. Needless to say I won't give money to that store in future. My grandfather used to say that the "pendulum swings." (I hate Picasso, for example.) Women need to start wearing appropriate clothing as well. It's a shame because these people should know better. Using profanity on live tv or radio in the "old days" was once unthinkable, but now there are those who think that free speech enables them to be a foul mouthed pig - or look like one. Canadian here and I can tell you the majority of people dress terribly. All will look ridiculous at 70 when everything is sagging and wrinkled. It's interesting what you noted about necktie supplies Nice column, Pam. His pants didn't come within two inches of his shoe tops, so that his striped socks were exposed. As Grant Williamson, 25, a Knoxville, Tenn. law student and admirer of these stars style admitted, Its kind of sloppy., Copyright 2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Who designed such crap is beyond me. I mentioned that "in order to be respected, one must first be respectable", and the younger person disagreed and eventually said that she thinks people should wear whatever they feel comfortable in. Yes, You Need to Dress Better Than You Do. Their were still social taboos on what people couldn't wear in public. I found this by accident and wanted to contribute too. Esquire went so far as to proclaim this the Summer of Sleaze, pointing to celebs dressing like high-school drug dealers. Harsh but fair. The human body looks better, in my opinion, when unadorned. For every Kardashian trying too hard, you have a Steve Jobs wearing dad jeans and New Balance kicks 24/7. Even though I didn't get paid a lot of money, the store's dress code policy then stated that the male sales staff were expected to at least wear a dress shirt and necktie with either khakis or dress slacks. And we're smart enough to know that clothes aren't that important and we can weed out women from our lives who judge us on our clothes. But yet people get offended if you voice your opinion about this.