Do people dress like slobs today? Or were people 100 years ago just plain and drab?

**nycebo** · 08-07-2012, 01:48 PM

To my eye, the issue isn't the clothing so much as the fit. That's where most people today have really gone off the rails. I've seen plenty of people in a suit and tie who look like total slobs and just as many people in jeans/slacks and a shirt that look terrific. Maybe it's the one size fits all policy of the big box stores or the fact that so many Americans have just not physically taken care of themselves. Whatever it is, a good shave in the morning is a good start.

**MrMurphy** · 08-08-2012, 03:46 PM

Guy I worked with till recently.

We were in the game business (design and creation......not retail) and highly casual clothing is the rule. The CEO of a worldwide multibilliondollar company walks around in a hoody and jeans to give you an idea.

So this guy I worked with....... definitely not the CEO, but highly regarded in his field. Decisions made by him at some points cost or saved several million each. Mid 30s, bearded (and braided), balding. Wears, daily, just about every single day, long short, Vibram FiveFingers shoes, a t-shirt, and a bicorn pirate hat, worn Nelson style (sideways). The non-pirate hat days, he wears a bandanna (still going with the pirate look).

He was dressed this way at the corporate Christmas party where the VP and other high end CEOs were in suits/tuxes and everyone generally (though not required) was dressy, minimum being slacks/buttondown shirt. I was in a tux. One guy showed up in a steampunk tux, others were the exact opposite and wore board shorts and flipflops.

Considering the gaming industry and their desire for individuality, this is considered normal...... and the pirate guy would be treated like trash by some of you, despite the fact that he is far higher on the food chain than most of you will ever reach...

**professorchaos** · 08-08-2012, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by Talltexan

I agree with what you all have said! Is there a book on style or a book to help a guy like myself build a wore drobe?

Yes indeed. Worth every cent. Alan Flusser is a little too much of a dandy IMHO.

**StillShaving** · 08-09-2012, 08:13 PM

There must be many factors that have have led to a more casual workplace dress. I think one of them is the silicon valley hi-tech culture that has spread out to other places. Much was made about the facebook founder visiting Wall St bankers just before their IPO, Zuckerberg Wears Hoodie, World Ends. If you worked at a similar company and came to work in a pressed shirt and pants, people would think you were not working hard enough or planning to go out for an interview.

**nycebo** · 08-10-2012, 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by StillShaving

Much was made about the facebook founder visiting Wall St bankers just before their IPO, Zuckerberg Wears Hoodie, World Ends.

Maybe that's why the stock is down more than -50% from the opening day print?

**eliev** · 08-13-2012, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by Robert45

In our workplace, we have a saying: Always dress for the job you want next.

Excellent.

**Doc4** · 08-14-2012, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by MrMurphy

Considering the gaming industry and their desire for individuality, this is considered normal...... and the pirate guy would be treated like trash by some of you, despite the fact that he is far higher on the food chain than most of you will ever reach...

I think you are being far too hard on the gents here. We don't "treat like trash" the guys who shave with a Fusion, write with a ballpoint, or dress like a pirate.

(Nor should we treat him and his pirate hat with undue deference simply because he's way up there on the food chain ... "gentleman" is not bought with money, it's earned with conduct.)

**KenR** · 08-15-2012, 10:46 AM

Agree with you guys regarding dress. Standards have been relaxed so much that the lowest common denominator can seem like the norm. As for me, I still try to wear suits to work and dress nicely otherwise. I've got a saying that I like to use:

Never wear jeans near a church or a tablecloth.

**eliev** · 08-15-2012, 05:54 PM

Before, the way people dressed had a lot to do with their social status. In fact, you were often only allowed to dress according to your position in social hierarchy (who was allowed to carry a sword, etc.). People do tend to care less about the way they look, but I think it's a sign of progress that we are now judged on other things. Who cares if Mark Zuckerberg doesn't wear a suit? What does he have to prove? We know he is intelligent and successful based on what he has done, not how he looks.

**MrMurphy** · 08-15-2012, 06:59 PM

Thus why i said "some".

**packersfan117** · 08-28-2012, 07:49 PM

I have seen people come in to interview where I work wearing jeans and t-shirts. I came in a shirt, tie, slacks, and jacket; even though it's a mechanic job, dress to impress. Nobody should have to tell you how to dress at a job interview. Out and about, I tend to wear what I'm comfortable in: concert t-shirts and cargo shorts. At church, I always wear a shirt, tie, slacks, and a jacket, if not a suit. My church keeps the sanctuary cool to (ostensibly) discourage ladies from dressing like women of ill repute, but it does little difference, as the ones who want to be seen and ogled dress like streetwalkers and complain about being cold.

One thing I can't stand is the people who wear t-shirts with the sleeves (and most of the sides) cut off. I wouldn't wear it to a gym to work out, much less in public. The trend is not peculiar to men either, I have seen many females at my college wearing such things over sports bras.

**gaseousclay** · 08-28-2012, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by Doc4

I think you are being far too hard on the gents here. We don't "treat like trash" the guys who shave with a Fusion, write with a ballpoint, or dress like a pirate. (Nor should we treat him and his pirate hat with undue deference simply because he's way up there on the food chain ... "gentleman" is not bought with money, it's earned with conduct.)

agreed. I was gonna say something along the same lines - money doesn't buy class. I think the way one conducts themselves in public is a reflection of who that person is. while I have no qualms with those that dress down (I do most days), I do take issue with men who dress like slobs when the occasion does not call for it. for example, my wife and I ate at a high-end restaurant a couple weeks ago with some relatives. The restaurant's decor was such that business attire was the norm for lunch and dinner crowds. when we got to the restaurant I was appalled to see quite a few men wearing a hat, t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops. This type of clothing might be acceptable at a Fuddruckers or a Perkins restaurant but not a high-end restaurant imo. I wanted to grab them by their shirts and kick them out on their *sses

**Demented** · 08-29-2012, 02:08 AM

This is a topic the wife and I often discuss, when it's warm, I'll sit around the house in a t-shirt or undershirt, if people are coming over or I need to step out for whatever reason, I put on a button front/collared shirt and tuck it in. My opinion is that people today do not care how they look or how their manner of dress effects others.

Took the wife to one of the best restaurants in our area for our fifth Ann. We dress to go out, seated across from us was a man wearing shorts, flip-flops and a tank-top, when dinner fore two is in the $$$ price range, I expect people to show some respect for those around them and dress accordingly. We have never gone back to that establishment, in my opinion... If your asking top dollar prices for your fare, you should have a dress code.

**gaseousclay** · 08-29-2012, 05:24 AM

Originally Posted by Demented

Took the wife to one of the best restaurants in our area for our fifth Ann. We dress to go out, seated across from us was a man wearing shorts, flip-flops and a tank-top, when dinner fore two is in the $$$ price range, I expect people to show some respect for those around them and dress accordingly. We have never gone back to that establishment, in my opinion... If your asking top dollar prices for your fare, you should have a dress code.

sounds like you and I had the exact same dining experience. After seeing the same thing at the restaurant we went to I received one of those 'rate our service' emails to evaluate our dining experience. Naturally, I took aim at the restaurant's lack of a dress code and suggested they enforce one in the future. I do feel like my dining experience is tainted when i'm wearing a suit and some shlub next to me shows absolutely no respect for himself, those that are dining around him or the restaurant itself. I guess there are a lot of men out there who have no shame

**nycebo** · 08-29-2012, 05:37 AM

That's the beauty of capitalism. You don't have to go back to that restaurant. But, bear in mind that standards constantly change and restaurant needs traffic in order to stay in business. If society has shifted such that many people are wearing shorts and shirts, then a guy's gotta eat, no?

Moreover, we are just romanticizing an era from the last 100-200 hundred years. Prior to that, only the aristocrats wore nice clothes while the average person went around dressed like a, well, you know, a peasant. So, unless you have a 'Von' or a 'Duke' in your name, your roots are from peasanthood. But don't get me wrong, a peasant though I may be, I surely prefer people to put in a little effort.

**Demented** · 08-29-2012, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by nycebo

a restaurant needs traffic in order to stay in business.

Moreover, we are just romanticizing an era from the last 100-200 hundred years. Prior to that, only the aristocrats wore nice clothes while the average person went around dressed like a, well, you know, a peasant. So, unless you have a 'Von' or a 'Duke' in your name, your roots are from peasanthood. But don't get me wrong, a peasant though I may be, I surely prefer people to put in a little effort.

You are right about the need for business to keep the doors open, it's a shame all the same.

My father always wore a suit when taking mom out for dinner, and insisted I did when it was a family evening out, then again he was born in 1928 and was dressed in knickers until he 12.

As I remember it... through the early to mid 80's, many better establishments had and enforced dress codes, including the one I was speaking of. It seems the era of "Dressing" for dinner has ended. In my opinion, change is often not for the better.

My families ancestral home is in the north of Sicily, so there is little chance of "Von" being part of my name and I believe "Duke" to be a title not a surname.

**nycebo** · 08-29-2012, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by Demented

My families ancestral home is in the north of Sicily, so there is little chance of "Von" being part of my name and I believe "Duke" to be a title not a surname.

Agree with everything you wrote. Kinda reminds me of airplanes in the past when everyone dressed up. Now, they wear sweatsuits. Even I'll admit to wearing jeans and a sweatshirt on a plane from time to time if I'm not travelling for work.

Meanwhile, sorry for the obscure Duke reference. I used to live in Durham so it's the first rich, old last name I could come up with on short notice. Moreover, don't hate me if you are a Tarheels fan.

**GarageBoy** · 09-06-2012, 02:07 PM

But dressing circa 1940s blue collar costs 2012 white collar...

**Demented** · 09-07-2012, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by GarageBoy

But dressing circa 1940s blue collar costs 2012 white collar...

Don't know about the 40's... I worked heavy rough construction, about as blue collar as it gets. For around $200.00 one can get a J.A. Bank executive line suit on clearance ($700.00 regular price) they have sales all the time. Have your tailor adjust the fit and sleeve length of the jacket, waist and length of the trouser's and add buttons for braces for around $100.00, then wear it out to dinner the same night you bought it, if you get a shirt too, it's still under $400.00. I did just that a couple of weeks ago.

Not dressing for dinner is a matter of choice, not owning a suit is as well.

**Doc4** · 09-08-2012, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by Demented

I worked heavy rough construction, about as blue collar as it gets. For around $200.00 one can get a J.A. Bank executive line suit on clearance ($700.00 regular price) they have sales all the time. Have your tailor adjust the fit and sleeve length of the jacket, waist and length of the trouser's and add buttons for braces for around $100.00, then wear it out to dinner the same night you bought it, if you get a shirt too, it's still under $400.00. I did just that a couple of weeks ago.

Not dressing for dinner is a matter of choice, not owning a suit is as well.

Nice!

I'm impressed that you can find a tailor who'd do that work so quickly for you ... but kudos for dressing up for dinner ... I like your choice!