Even the way they dress casually is heads and tails above us. I've complained on here before about the way people--Americans in particular--dress today, but the topic is worth revisiting. I'm finding it more difficult these slovenly days to find male attire that is with the classic look, and which doesn't look hideous. I thought I was the last one out there who missed the "Carey Grant" look or the beauty of Grace Kelly and I'm in my 30's! Most 9f us are the work horses that keep the system going, that's all. I thought I was the only who even noticed and am very glad for your article. It connotes laziness, carelessness and boorishness. It seems nowadays that the only time people make an effort to dress up is when they HAVE to, like at job interviews, weddings, and funerals. I really hope this trend does not continue into the 2020s. In the 90s, after all clothing manufacturing, even ordstroms, was move to china the powers that be recognised that the quality was not very good for fashionable clothes. Take a look at television shows from the 1950s or at "Mad Men," and note how stylish people dressed when in public. They have already been forgotten and more mass shootings will inevitably follow. It's not a question of money, but of class, as in the way you present yourself in public. Back to the dark ages is the theme of your message. Thoroughly enjoyed reading the article and all the comments! Look at what's being sold in the stores, and there's your answer. Now that it's warming up, it's easy to spot the idiots who are part of the "slob culture". But you've got to realize that we live now in an age of post-1984 surrealism and computerized fascism. Besides, at least in the town where I unfortunately dwell (It really sucks living here) I would probably experience cognitive dissonance should I "dress up", as a lot of persons have now adopted the "just got out of bed and am still in my jammies" look. I couldn't agree with you more. :). Both of my parents grew up in thrifty households, but my grandparents always made sure they and their siblings had appropriate clothing to wear to school, church, etc. I take after my father and still enjoy wearing a suit even when it is not required and I run the risk of being overdressed. It's gotten so ugly that I notice if someone is even wearing a decent pair of jeans, compared to most of the slob army out there now. I believe it started somewhere in the 1990sI remember a scene in the movie "Clueless" where Alicia Silverstone's character Cher mentions how boys dress "nowadays": "So, okay. Partly this has to do with the visual erasure of style barriers. She's right, by the way. So what's up with the overly-shaggy haired and bearded look in which famous men appear these days? At lunchtime you'd walk into the local Macy's mens dept, say "no thanks" to the cologne lady who wanted to spritz you & join the 100 other guys at table after table of dress shirts and neckties. I've noticed that Pam hasn't had the need to update this posting in the last five years. I see it everywhere. I really want a time machine,so I can go back to something betterbecause yes,things ARE getting worse. 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? The whole bare legged crap with tattoos, scars, birth marks razor cuts, and my ever favorite, that spray on orange crap they use running down their legs! Showing up on time, looking nice, and sitting in the front attentive and off your phone ought to go a long way!Lastly, let's talk about body shapes. I wear classic hats but I'd never leave one on my head at at table, though I would look much better than the morons with ballcaps if I did. What a dreary culture. It doesn't cost hundreds or thouands of dollars to wear clothing that doesn't look as though it functions for bedtime wear. Clothes way to tight or to small. What a moronic joke. And have you seen those hideous khaki-jogger pants that the younger millennials are wearing now? The only people that I know who dress acceptable are the elderly. You can blame the bloated, greedy corporations like Wal-Mart and Amazon for contributing to a culture of mass exploitation, and mass production all for the obese masses to consume without thought. I doubt people will look back fondly at this decade with how much garbage is being pushed into our kids and teens now. Yet, I trust that Pam is continuing to keep up appearances, and hasn't succumbed to the low mindset of looking like them? I was watching the NBC nightly news not too long ago on a Sunday evening. Even when I search the internet for garments made from real wool with classic patterns, I am more and more at a loss to find what I want. So if someone looks like a slob, it's completely their fault. .css-16c7pto-SnippetSignInLink{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;cursor:pointer;}Sign In, Copyright 2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. What looks best on me are a-line skirts and dresses, and flowy tunics. But if you want to be taken seriously, it pays to carry yourself with some class, and that includes attire. I prefer the traditional look. Like the sneakers with suits, oddly cut blouses, weird prints, or huge, cheap-looking plastic glasses. I wonder if schools shouldn't have courses in how to be respectable since there are increasing numbers of people in the U.S. that are complete slobs. I went to a department store and wandered around browsing in the clothing section. Now we have fat slobs&sluts,who enjoy(or at least don't mind)making the list,on 'people of walmart',even if they are'nt IN walmart. It's a shame because these people should know better. Skinny jeans, skinny slacks, ankle slacks--teacher should not wear skinny slacks to work, but there wasn't anything else. It's rather timely that I found your article because I had commented on a post in Facebook about the same thing. This has zero to do with being poor. I'm optimistic for the 2020s to see if we will see a fashion renaissance. Ive noticed that many people do not have seasonal or situational appropriate clothing and they just look bad. I'm not sure what dressing down has to do with Trump or mass shootings. My father practically wore a coat and tie to mow the lawn. Not so Caroline Wozniacki and some others I'll go on to mention. If you've ever been called an old soul like I have, or you were lucky enough to actually live during the mid-20th century in America, then you're in the right place! What kind of a standard is that? And guess whatI can afford my groceries,too. Even when I dont wear makeup or style my hair, I see to it that I am clean and presentable. Now looking as though one has been in prison for a while has become acceptable. It's spring time again, and now the slobs are out en masse wearing ugly shorts, displaying their ugly, dumpy bodies and trashy tattoos. All this nonsense with the jeans (mining and peasant trousers) started in the 70s with the rise of the left. This is the reason why sites like People of Walmart get the attention they do--many of the images on there are so unbelievably grotesque and repulsive (breasts, bellies, and butts spilling out of too tight fabric; underwear missing altogether; bodily fluids leaking onto the aisle floor) they make me throw up in my mouth. Apparel is being displaced by travel, eating out and activitieswhat's routinely lumped together as "experiences"which have grown to 18 percent of purchases. Also, I realize that appearance isn't everything and that personality has to be accounted for when recognizing nice people. Sweat pants, yoga pants for women, t shirts - it's pathetic. Talk about a decline in class,decency&valuesugh. Classy, wouldn't you say? And Mr. LaBeouf belongs in a loutish league of his own, wearing hot-pink running tights underneath tattered denim cutoffs, ripped-collared hoodies and Uggs. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8, Continue reading your article witha WSJ subscription, Already a subscriber? I couldn't imagine seeing Elizabeth Taylor or Cary Grant with even a small wrist or ankle tattoo, let alone being covered with the goddamn things like David Beckham (nice body, yet he's covered with these obscenities which detract from the appearance!). 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. This is dangerous for blood circulation. Or if a lady wears attire that isn't masculine based, why, she is an oddity and the feminists will be on her for looking as women should (don't tell the PC police on me!) Can we assume that the USA is a decadent nation that has given up trying to maintain what was once considered a decent standard in clothing and fashion representation? People don't think for themselves anymore. Am I saying that our society needs to return to the way it was 60 years ago? *laugh*, Do you remember the effort put out in buying an Easter outfit? Sloppiness in civilian life is one thing, sloppiness on the battlefield gets you and your fellow troops killed. And they complain about "suntan" stockings? I personally don't find anything attractive about excessive tats and crazy colored hair on either men or women. One pair belonged to a father and son schlub team; in fact the dad even had his sunglasses on the top of the ballcap, which was camouflage, while junior was wearing his typically backwards. That suggestion always seemed like the epitome of bad advice to me - to save your money and then travel to the source of western culture, only to dress like you're getting ready to paint your house back home. Ye Gods! I can say with the strongest of confidence that Americans, both men and women, dress like absolute dog shit. No wonder everybody from Patti LuPone on down is complaining that nobody knows how to behave anymore: If you dress like a child, chances are youre going to act like one. I also really dislike the straggly hair and scruffy, untrimmed beard look that so many men wear now to me it just looks sloppy and gross, as if even basic grooming doesnt matter to them. Justin Bieber in all of his tattooed, T-shirted and untamed hair glory earlier this month . At least they were clean. I do wear a hat (usually a "unit cap" from when I was in the Navy) when I'm outside, but as soon as I enter a building, it comes off and is promptly tucked under my arm. Casual fashion was just starting to become socially acceptable but not allowed obscenities in public. After all, if you dress better, youll feel better. The human body looks better, in my opinion, when unadorned. The accompanying photo shoot shows the comedian outfitted like a fourth grader on a sugar high. ), baggy shorts or PJ bottoms, their clothes are dirty/stained/ripped/tattered or otherwise inappropriate, look (or smell) like they hadn't bathed in a week, or have poured on a bottle of heavy, oily perfume that will gag anyone two blocks away downwind. Tell this to the same idiots who make stupid faces on snapchat or like to bullshit there lives on Instagram. 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. It's kind of sad that wearing a suit and tie would make one overdressed in certain environments I remember when some restaurants required jackets and would lend them to men who walked in without wearing up. And I think these big fat slobs SHOULD be shamed. and not to mention the tight down to the ankles pants, men and women look so stupid in them. All of this appears to go hand in hand with the socio-economic problems that afflict our country, and, by extension of our misbegotten empire, the rest of the world. I'm a guy and I feel like you about this issue. I can't believe that this is where being a diner in a service restaurant has come to. But get this: the woman was only wearing skimpy men's boxer shorts under her shirt. Sores like HM and Zara have the nicest clothing for the same price you would pay for what you usually buy. These people are an eyesore and they're getting worse! No class whatsoever. The wealthier people here dress in a different way than the middle and lower middle class people. I actually think women dress worse than men in the city I live in. It's quite repulsive. Having said that, I wholeheartedly agree with you; the absolute laziness and sloppiness of people (including, but not limited to, prospective employees) appalls me. We're supposed to be policing the earth and waving chinese made flags, and inducing foreigners with our "standard of living", and yet we cannot even look respectable to ourselves. Hi, I'm Pam - thanks for visiting Go Retro! Spike Lee in a purple outfit and some presenter in a woman styled suit. I'm 69 and think some people who dress like slobs have mental health issues. 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. Some conservative commentators and celebrities began calling for a boycott of Bud Light after the beer was featured in a social media promotion by a transgender influencer, Dylan . I've gotten rather tired seeing ordinary people out in public places looking as though they were either refugees, or inhabitants of homeless encampments. Here in Europe, if a man is wearing jeans and trainers (sneakers for my US friends) and a t shirt, they won't be baggy, sloppy looking items. Technology alone, including . They have two children with them. "if you're counting on your appearance to carry the day, it's doubtful you have the chops to compete any other way. There really is no excuse for it,except that people are'nt taught to dress better by parents or media. It isn't just all about the men who look bad. Large women in ugly t-shirts with vulgar sayings, "my other friend is a slut too," political or just idiocy. I get "dressed up" to go out. Also, you can't go wrong with Macy's -- I get coupons from them all of the time that are often good on top of sale prices. Almost every time I go out anymore, I see countless men who look like they reached for the first t-shirt and jeans they found on the floor, then chose whichever pair of tennis shoes stank the least. I'm just at a loss as to why someone thinks that looks good. Or this pathetic need to stick out and get noticed, or join in because it's a fad and you want to belong. This loss of basic common sense of what looks good has been indicated into the people for generations. All they want is the convenience of distracting digital pacifiers, so they can be controlled by Big Brother while their empire falls apart. According to a paper from Social Psychological and Personality Science, a certain number of subjects were instructed to wear casual clothing and formal clothing before taking intellectual tests. No one seems interested in it anymore. I can go down to the Men's Clothing Warehouse and spend three hundred dollars to look (approximately) like a millionaire. The Wal-Mart slob ethic is pervasive everywhere (people of wal-Mart!) Hi Pam: Your blog has really got me going about how indecently people are appearing in public these days. This was in the beginning of the 2000s. And I've heard of the tabletop ordering systems at other chain restaurants. As I passed one couple, I heard the wife tell her husband, "Follow him, Ed. Whatever happened to the saying "the clothes make the man"? Hi Pam! 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. Dress impeccably, and they remember the woman." I noticed how scruffy everyone was when I was over there. America definitely needs a renaissance not just in fashion but in general. to look even worse? when running errands, by the way. 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. If I've used a photo, video, etc in one of my posts it means I really dig it! It is actually commendable for someone of your age and generation to be tattoo-free. Because clothes are freedomfreedom to choose how we present ourselves to the world; freedom to blur the lines between man and woman, old and young, rich and poor. 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. When will a renaissance begin? People should pay attention to keeping up appearances instead of rotting their minds with the unsrestricted use of technology. And its not just at the theater where folks have simply stopped trying: Offenders turn up at the Metropolitan Opera in Crocs. In the winter I wear simple jackets or coats. Oh, and the "language", notice the level of profanity that is mostly bleeped out, radio, TV, etc..Great topic, Pam! RARELY do i see a person dressed perfect. Too much technology&laziness¬ enough class,common sense,or values,anymore. Hi Anonymous, welcome and thank you for your comments! I am an apple shape and look for clothes that will look nice on me. Leave your hair looking like a bird's nest and conveniently forget you own an iron, and an ironing board. I posted about my distaste for tattoos on the Facebook page for this blog a couple of weeks ago, along with how I feel it's a serious sign of the lack of self love people have for themselves and their bodies (and also a denial of their natural beauty.) Unless you are living in poverty, their should be no reason why people should be dressing like dull slobs with no sense of style. Fat, tattooed, wearing sagging athletic shorts showing underwear. If you want to understand the cluelessness of the American male when it comes to dress, consider a recent Men's Wearhouse commercial in which a fellow freaks out simply because . There's no "we" anywhere anymore. Aaron Hernandez, the ex-Patriot that was on trial for murdering two people (and who killed himself after being found guilty) was covered with them, including sporting random ones on his neck. Even in the Army, that uniform and one's appearance is part of what makes a man a soldier. It's truly revolting and frankly, seems dangerous--you're just asking for an infection. ", image is the provenance of the non-performer.or, as we said in the Army, "All show, no go. 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. All the blouses are super long that I can't find a decent blouse to go with skirts. Hi Pam, I've commented on this site before, and I thought I would give you an update as to how the thoughtless, ignorant masses are "behaving" in service restaurants these days. Mr. Biebers saggy sweatshirts and stringy blonde hair suggest hes the lost long son of Jeff Spicoli, the surfing stoner in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Mr. Hill achieves slightly more polish overall, but his tie-dye T-shirts and short board shorts place him squarely in the slobcore category. Many might point to the younger generation, its not. or just about anything. Adult couples wearing raggedy t-shirts with some ugly nonsense graphic on it. Sadly,so many women also do it too. Basically, we don't have an audience. I am a woman&I too,hate that disgusting,hairy homeless bum,ungroomed look. I don't have a lot but I manage to look my best in any given situation. Nobody has any pride in himself/herself and nobody has any energy to look at another person either, so there is no need for pride anymore. I live in a big city and jeans, fitted baseball caps, and Timberland boots are everywhere here. Apparently this "casual Friday-and-then-some every damn day" way of dressing is a national epidemic and according to a some, a tragedy. One cannot help but wonder where are morals and standards are heading to and it's quite sad to see America this "dumbed down". Look at old Kodachrome photos from the 60s or look at old film videos from Disneyland in the 60s on YouTube. Even working class people (which I am) used to take pains to dress as best they could for special occasions, such as church or going out to dinner. I know I'm late. If people want to let their ugliness hang out in public, I suppose it's their choice. I could go on and on about this topic all day, but I guess I will end on a positive note: if I'm ever having an "ugly" day, all I have to do to cure it is make a visit to my local store. 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. Zero class. So did Kurt Vonnegut and Gore Vidal, all whom I miss, with their varied works that satirized the foibles of We the People and the hideous and incompetent "leaders" we "elect.". Although that probably won't change until women stop allowing it. On that related note, I don't get anyone that wears shorts in the winter. I dress in accordance with the weather and make sure Im properly covered. Society has no problem with it or they are too afraid to criticize, so there's absolutely no shame in showing up anywhere looking like a witch now.People don't even bother to comb their hair anymore.All of us have become work beasts who come home only to eat and look at our phones and TV and sleep. 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. And then it happened: There I was in head-to-toe white everything bought at deep discounts online and suddenly I wasnt just playing tennis anymore. But I can't help feeling that there are too many dirty ingredients in the melting pot now. I don't buy that argument because if you can afford PJ bottoms with the Duck Dynasty logo on them, then you can afford proper daytime pants from Target or Walmart. I have posted them purely for entertainment purposes only. It's no different than plastic surgery -- getting a bump smoothed out on your nose is one thing, but transforming yourself with multiple surgeries into a human Barbie (or Ken) doll is quite another. I went out today to go clothes shopping, hence being on this site now. 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. The people don't try to look their best because they live inside a marxist fever dream where everyone is their best buddy and everyone is so very equal. One would think this common sense, but evidently it's a mystery to those at the management level. I work in a hospital and the vistors and patients who come in dressed in. whatever is ghastly. How about the trashy women who wear bra tops with ugly tattoos showing? They're always wearing track suits and sweats! Dumbed down&looking like dumpster divers or whores. I do not in any way claim the rights of ownership to any of them. ). The examples go on and on, but it is coming to the point where interactions with other people, even as a customer, are lowering to a nadir. I had a couple of social justice warriors tell me that I was judgmental and that I had nothing better to do then complain. What a shame that no one seems to give much consideration to their personal adornment anymore. What the hell happened? It has really become pervasive, and I won't go back to eat at a restaurant that operates this way. I suspect some women don't even look at the mirror for a second. Sadly, she was better dressed than the guy (she was overweight and he was a bean-pole). Suits, ties, and dresses: Ah yes, the way people used to dress for summer BBQs. There are comfortable dress shoes! variety. 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. They always had a winter coat. Yes, You Need to Dress Better Than You Do. It's absolutely ridiculous. BTW I had a suit on as well! For me, part of the appeal of going to such a restaurant (or other similar places, like the symphony) is the opportunity to dress up. I also own a lot of dressier clothing, which I wear when I can. It doesnt mean you have to be wealthy or thin. A clear picture of your soon-to-be debonair self is essential. People nowadays don't appreciate quality and style. Hi Pam, I just came across your page and the "class" part is spot on. Loving the comments. 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. Hey Pam, I'm not American, i'm a young male living in Brisbane Australia but we've picked up the super casual slobby dress here too especially in my generation. But the mentality of the store bigwigs is that they can use one person to oversee four computerized terminals instead of hiring four additional people. EGADS! Its very obviousThey look pleasant and situationally appropriate. As for ankle pants--what happens when winter hits? Maybe today's generation feels it has to buy garments that can be washed without being dry cleaned. Esquire went so far as to proclaim this "the Summer of Sleaze," pointing to celebs dressing like "high-school drug dealers." Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. The "idiot trend" of looking like slobs is, sadly, not likely to turn back the other way any time soon. You dont have to wear athletic shoes everywhere! The screens are getting thinner and the people are getting bigger. The PC Police will probably be after me for saying as much. People were dressed far better even in the Great Depression, which is telling, because style in the 30s didn't stop evolving due to hard times. 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. Whatever the reason, I refuse to believe that lack of money is the main cause for dressing like slobs.
Health Current Events For Students,
Beale Street Music Festival 2022 Tickets,
Who Makes Sam's Choice Pizza,
Trabajo En Austin, Texas Sin Papeles,
Greta Van Fleet Official Website,
Articles W
