No More Sloppy Clothes
If you haven't figured it out already, I'll just say it flat-out: inappropriate clothing is one of my BIG bugaboos. It makes me want to slap people - namely the offenders.
What has brought on my uncharitable spirit, you ask? This past Saturday night, I went to dinner with friends. We went to a lovely restaurant, in a very popular area of my town. There are a number of restaurants in the area, plus a movie theatre, "live" theatre, and a few specialty shops; therefore, Saturday night always draws quite a crowd. Great for people watching - and in this case - great for confirming my opinion that a large number of people either don't give a rip about their appearance, or are simply "too clueless for words." The shoddy attire was enough to make even the men in the group roll their eyes.
Yes, is was an unusually warm and muggy evening for mid September. Yes, I would have been more comfortable in an ensemble befitting the beach. But I wasn't at the beach. I was at a "white linen" restaurant, with prices to match. It's not the place for a ratty, oversized t-shirt and wrinkled shorts (the favored attire we observed on a number of people.)
And if you're wondering what my group was wearing - women: slacks and linen jackets, men: trousers and polo shirts. Obviously, we were by no means "fancy." Just dressed, dare I say it - "respectably."
At home later that night, I remembered the Chanel movie with Shirley MacLaine was airing. So I turned it on, and watched in delight: not just for the story of her life, but for the parade of elegant clothes. And Chanel's thing was women must be comfortable, they must be able to move. BUT, they must also look good!
Bottom line: it's not that hard to look good. But you can't be clueless. To quote the home spun phrasing of Dr. Phil: you either get it, or you don't. And at this point, I'm afraid that there are WAY too many people out there who just don't get it.
I found this photo on Travel Pod- it was snapped outside of a hotel in China. Hm...wouldn't mind some US establishments posting something similar!
What has brought on my uncharitable spirit, you ask? This past Saturday night, I went to dinner with friends. We went to a lovely restaurant, in a very popular area of my town. There are a number of restaurants in the area, plus a movie theatre, "live" theatre, and a few specialty shops; therefore, Saturday night always draws quite a crowd. Great for people watching - and in this case - great for confirming my opinion that a large number of people either don't give a rip about their appearance, or are simply "too clueless for words." The shoddy attire was enough to make even the men in the group roll their eyes.
Yes, is was an unusually warm and muggy evening for mid September. Yes, I would have been more comfortable in an ensemble befitting the beach. But I wasn't at the beach. I was at a "white linen" restaurant, with prices to match. It's not the place for a ratty, oversized t-shirt and wrinkled shorts (the favored attire we observed on a number of people.)
And if you're wondering what my group was wearing - women: slacks and linen jackets, men: trousers and polo shirts. Obviously, we were by no means "fancy." Just dressed, dare I say it - "respectably."
At home later that night, I remembered the Chanel movie with Shirley MacLaine was airing. So I turned it on, and watched in delight: not just for the story of her life, but for the parade of elegant clothes. And Chanel's thing was women must be comfortable, they must be able to move. BUT, they must also look good!
Bottom line: it's not that hard to look good. But you can't be clueless. To quote the home spun phrasing of Dr. Phil: you either get it, or you don't. And at this point, I'm afraid that there are WAY too many people out there who just don't get it.
I found this photo on Travel Pod- it was snapped outside of a hotel in China. Hm...wouldn't mind some US establishments posting something similar!
Here's some thoughts from our Facebook friend, Rosemary:
I read your article on sloppy attire and how people are clueless. They are clueless at my church in Santa Barbara on a Sunday people dress so casually it is ridiculous. I know its a beach touristy town but there should be m... Read Moreore respect when going into a place of worship. I am used to dressing up and making the best of myself. In Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, girls and boys do make an effort to dress up. I think in the big cities there is this sense of competition of who can look the best. I used to be very competitive about the way I looked and I have become even more so with age. I take extra care of myself.
Thanks
Rosemary
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I think is is okay to wear something different, a clothe that will reveal your personality but is it also important to respect or to dress appropriately
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