Smart or even formal clothes used to be obligatory at things like funerals, weddings, job interviews, church services, restaurants, theatres and workplaces, but nowadays smart casual or even casual (or even a bit scruffy) is often quite normal at such occasions.
Personally I've never understood why formal clothes are considered so necessary at so many gatherings. They add little except a sense of good taste or good manners.
I wore smartish clothes for my mum's funeral, because I thought that would be expected, but it didn't change how I felt about my mum dying. I would still have felt the same if I was wearing a tee shirt and shorts or some faded dungarees. Obviously my mum had no objection!
Many workplaces no longer stipulate smart or formal clothing and only require their employees to be presentable. That's fine by me. My concern isn't what an employee is wearing but whether they're good at their job.
Even tattoos and piercings are now seen as normal and unremarkable, even in many work situations. When I was young they would have been met with horror and dismay unless you were a builder or a plumber or some sort of trades person.
Of course some people simply like the chance to dress up and show off, and they'll find some dramatic and eye-catching outfit for the occasion. Definitely not a tee shirt or ripped jeans.
I haven't owned a suit for over 50 years, and luckily have never been required to. If anyone can be bothered to attend my funeral, they can wear whatever they like. Budgie smugglers or bikinis? Be my guest.
I generally wear jeans and a top. For going to the dentist: clean jeans and a clean top. Going up the pub: jeans and a nicer top. Going somewhere a bit special: best jeans and maybe a jacket.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you get the theme going on here?!!
Sx
Ms Scarlet: Come to think of it, it was probably jeans that played a large part in the move to more casual clothing. Once jeans started replacing traditional trousers, then other items of clothing followed the trend and got more casual.
DeleteWe are going to an exhibition at a posh art gallery this afternoon. Husband will be resplendent in shorts and tee shirt in his wheelchair.....I'm looking for something not totally covered in dog hairs...
ReplyDeleteFly: Art galleries are pretty relaxed about what visitors wear, aren't they? Not many people would turn up at a gallery in a tux or a posh dress.
DeleteNot this one.....it's money on legs. We are invited to the bunfight because the owner likes to talk art with Leo.
DeleteFly: Money on legs - a great expression. So it'll be a posh dress then?
DeleteI only learned what a budgie smuggler is this past month from watching Below Deck Down Under. Such a funny term!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate more formal clothing in certain circumstances, such as weddings, funerals and gala events. I think it shows respect to get dressed up (for yourself and those you are honoring) rather than look like one has just rolled out of bed.
Bijoux: Well, if they roll out of bed for my funeral, that's okay by me! I'm not sure that formal clothing necessarily shows respect. A lot of very disrespectful people go around in suits and ties.
DeleteI am studying to go into the legal profession in London. I often have to wear a suit. I have noticed some people opting to wear a shirt without a tie. I always prefer a snazzy tie because I like to inject some colour and personality and I don't like the untidy look. So, in conclusion = I really enjoy a beautiful tie and have a collection of amazing ones.
ReplyDeleteLiam: I've mentioned many times on my blog that I can't stand ties and wish they would disappear. But a surprising number of people (like yourself) are very fond of them. So don't mind me, carry on wearing your snazzy ties!
DeleteMy cousin's luggage got lost on the way to his mother's funeral. He was so embarrassed to be there in jeans that he didn't join the receiving line. I wonder of which his mother would have most disapproved--jeans or no line?
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda: He should have joined the line and explained the jeans. I'm sure people would have sympathised over the lost luggage.
DeleteI reserve one pair of very dark blue jeans for formal appearances.
ReplyDeleteJoanne: I always have newish jeans on hand for such occasions.
DeleteI don't even own a dress and the only cap I have is a baseball one. I've avoided Irish weddings forever due to the complete assery of clothing and fascinators worn by all. I am sure they are all ecstatic I stay away.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
www: Jenny hasn't owned a dress for many years. Irish weddings can be completely over the top!
DeleteNick, we do not care about dress codes. In Europe countries I go to any event in a black dress and red shoes. Saïd always with a Ghutra ( a little bit to provoke some stupid people) . He is such a good looking old man. In Africa or Asia I can wear traditionel dresses, in Africa when I wear a boubou the men called me the white African queen. Very funny. I think people should dress as they like and feel comfortable with.
ReplyDeleteHannah
Hannah: Good to know there isn't the same fetish about dress codes in Europe. The white African queen, that sounds very grand! As you say, we should just dress in whatever's comfortable.
DeleteHere there are still a lot of dress codes. School's have dress codes and even have restrictions about what you can do in regards to hair styles.
ReplyDeleteThe places my daughter has worked all had dress codes and how you had to wear your hair. A lot of places will make you take out piercings and put a bandaid over the holes if they see them as being disturbance.
Mary: British schools also have a lot of rules about hairstyles. Pupils are sent home for having hair that's too long, too short, and generally too unusual.
DeleteDress? What's a dress? I haven't owned one of those for many years. I did buy a pair of culottes to wear when I had my knee replacements done so I wouldn't have to change into the shorts they provided for PT. But, dress? I'll stick with slacks, thanks.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous: I don't think culottes would go down very well in the average British workplace!
DeleteThey're fine Nick - I used to wear them in the 80's to work - they really didn't look dissimilar to a skirt - but much more practical, and could look very smart.
DeleteSx
Ms Scarlet: As you say, much more practical than a skirt. I'm surprised they haven't become more popular.
DeleteThey go in and out of fashion. I remember them first in the 70s, but for women they've been around since Victorian times.
DeleteSx
Ms Scarlet: I must say I've never noticed a fashion for culottes. But no doubt sooner or later they'll be the in thing.
DeleteI agree. I used to hate the feeling when I was younger of being forced to look a certain way. I love the way everyone can wear what they want. Why not?
ReplyDeleteJenny: There are still some occupations where a dress code is rigidly enforced (solicitors, estate agents, accountants etc), but thankfully many jobs are a lot more relaxed.
Delete