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

**darkxshiki** · 09-09-2012, 03:35 PM

interesting topic. i actually dress for the company and location. for causal lunch with friend at a place that i know is casual i have worn t shirt with short or khaki. for the unknown or with company i regard highly i wear button up shirt and khaki.

**crowdog** · 09-09-2012, 05:29 PM

I like dressing up, but at the same time, those photos didn't represent all the poor in NY, it would be interesting to see what they wore. Also the cost of clothes and the choices were very limited. I bet those men in the suits, it is all they had. Jeans were not in wide release, so you won't find them or shorts or other "sports" clothes. So while I agree that people don't seem to respect themselves enough to dress appropriately, to compare it historically is not accurate.

Marty

**A3M0N** · 09-09-2012, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by Demented

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

This statement has been bothering me ever since I read it. I know that for me $400 is quite a lot of money, and I'm in a decent paying career. I agree with you that its a choice to dress respectably, and respectfully - but owning a suit may just not be choice or a priority for some people.

**nycebo** · 09-10-2012, 05:00 AM

Originally Posted by A3M0N

This statement has been bothering me ever since I read it. I know that for me $400 is quite a lot of money, and I'm in a decent paying career. I agree with you that its a choice to dress respectably, and respectfully - but owning a suit may just not be choice or a priority for some people.

Take your point, but it seems that folks have no problem buying overpriced smartphones and sneakers.

**A3M0N** · 09-10-2012, 05:48 AM

Originally Posted by nycebo

Take your point, but it seems that folks have no problem buying overpriced smartphones and sneakers.

Agreed.

**Doc4** · 09-10-2012, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by nycebo

Take your point, but it seems that folks have no problem buying overpriced smartphones and sneakers.

Originally Posted by A3M0N

Agreed.

I guess that's what it boils down to for a lot of people. They have their money, and their priorities, and "suit" doesn't make the cut. (And given thrift store and other inexpensive options, it needn't be a $400 decision.)

Obviously, the more money you have, the easier it is to stumble across a $400 suit purchase and hey-presto you have a suit, and ditto for all the other stuff that rich people can buy easier than poor people ... which is pretty much everything.

**LarryDarrell** · 09-10-2012, 12:23 PM

I once heard a progression of the use of items of clothing which makes a lot of sense and works for clothing from the 16th century on, whether it's the tailcoat or the tracksuit.

begins as: Clothing for sports
then becomes in turn:
casual day wear,
business wear
formal day wear
formal evening wear
ending up as: clothing for servants.

**nycebo** · 09-10-2012, 12:38 PM

A business suit need not cost 400 bucks. Witness Target. Not saying that it's the cat's meow, but it's a suit. Anyway, the point really shouldn't be about wearing a suit. Rather, it should be about looking one's best. A button down and a nice pair of jeans more than make the cut for me at most restaurants. I just think that as long as people are clean, groomed, and presentable, that's all the effort any of us should demand.