Life as I Know It; Family; Lifestyle; and Healthy Living!
Dressing the part....
Published on August 10, 2005 By foreverserenity In Home & Family

I was reading an article written by Susan Reimer a journalist who writes for the Baltimore Sun sometime ago. She wrote about taking a trip one day, being at the airport and wondered why travelers dressed so casually. They looked like they were doing their chores at home and then decided to go to the airport and take the plane. Doesn’t anyone take pride in how they look anymore she asks. I have to agree with her.

I see the same problem around me here in Florida and it sometimes makes me wonder. I know there’s the casual look, and even that’s a given these days because casual now seems to mean anything goes! And I know not everyone likes to get dressed up and I’m not saying they should, but for God’s sake, put some pants on or at least wash your feet and make sure your toe nails look presentable why don’t ya! Not to mention the body odors walking around on two legs these days. If a person looks unkempt, you can bet he/she is going to smell that way too! P U!

So you don’t like to get dressed up, again, that’s ok. However why not wear something that doesn’t look like you just rolled out of bed or you dug clothes up out of a laundry basket and the questionable smell permeating from your clothing….run for your life john public!

Seriously though, sometimes I wonder if they really thought about what they’re wearing before they put it on. You know, not everyone can afford to have the best clothing, and I’m not talking about that, I’m talking about someone making an effort to dress and look presentable for whatever occasion he or she is going to.

If we were all to become schleppers then we might as well forget about personal pride. But wait, whatever happened to pride, being personable? Are those things not important anymore? Shouldn’t you care what you look like even if you’re going to the grocery store?

You don’t have to break out the high heels or the tuxedo, but you sure as heck should at least brush your teeth and wear a pant that doesn’t give everyone a view that you’re full commando under your clothing! Heck, what am I talking about; I’ve seen the best dressed go full commando under their clothing. But that’s for that person to do if they want to. I only care about what they wear on the outside.

I don’t want to go to some event and feel like I’m overdressed, when a simple dressed jeans or dressed shirt with the jeans and decent shoes would make a difference. If me putting on accessories, which I love to wear, means I’m overdressed, then my gosh…I’m living in the wrong time!

People are dressing down these days. They don’t bother to worry about what they’re wearing or what they look like.
Don’t you think dressing a certain way is helpful to an individual? It also might mean that whatever business you’re conducting can be a success because of how you look.

While I’m not trying to criticize or be judgmental of others because of how they look, let’s face it, that’s going to happen. It’s hard for you not to look at someone and appreciate that they are dressed nicely.

It’s ok to dress comfortable, I’m not saying it isn’t, just dress with some decorum. Look neat and presentable and that way you will be ready for anything.



Comments
on Aug 10, 2005
I like to dress up once or twice a year.  But I wil cover my privates, just not dress up the other 363 days of the year.  I like casual.  And pretending on occassion as well.
on Aug 10, 2005
I used to be really picky about that kind of stuff. Fairly judgmental, too. I never went anywhere without makeup and my hair done, and I thought that jeans and a t-shirt was sloppy...and sweat pants...omg! Even my kids had to look just so. We didn't have a lot of money, but I shopped at thrift stores and clearance sales, and there was hardly a day that my kids weren't dressed in GAP or Gymboree from head to toe.

I'm much more relaxed about it now. If I'm just hanging out at the house, I wear PJ bottoms or jeans with a tank top or t-shirt. If I'm doing something with other people, I try to dress cute, but it's usually just a skirt or jeans and a nice top. If I'm really feeling snazzy, I'll coordinate my tongue ring with my outfit, hehe.

And if I'm hanging out at the house and I want to impress my hubby I'll dress up nice.

I go to the grocery store without make up, often wearing shorts or jeans and a t-shirt and flip-flops. I'm not too big on appearance anymore. Maybe I'm just a slob or lazy or don't care about my appearance, but I'm not going to go to the effort of blowing my hair out and wearing something uncomfortable for a mundane, every day activity.

I think generally, when you fly you want to be comfortable. I don't see anything wrong with that so long as the clothes are clean and decent.

It's fun to dress up and look nice for special occasions, but I'm way over my hang ups about presenting an image.

You might run into me at the video store some day...I'll be the one wearing shorts and a turquoise tank top with toenail polish that's chipping off, hehe.
on Aug 10, 2005

I'm a big fan of the casual comfortable look.   However, comfortable and casual does NOT equate dirty and unkempt.  Casual to me is a clean pair of jeans and a clean shirt, brushed or combed hair, a clean body and clean teeth.  Even during my grunge days when i was wearing jeans with holes in the knees, those jeans were clean.  I guess I wasn't a very good grunger; I can't stand to go for more than a day without showering or bathing.

I believe too that casual has it's place.  When I was working I made sure that on days I had to notarize wills and assist with witness/suspect interviews I was in a suit or other business attire, and I wouldn't dream of going to an interview for ANY job in jeans. 

As far as I'm concerned there is no excuse for poor personal hygeine.  You can get a bar of cheap soap for 50 cents, a bottle of VO5 shampoo runs under a buck, Suave deodorant is about a buck fifty, toothpaste about the same and you can get a three pack of toothbrushes at the dollar store. That's about $6 for enough toiletries to last you at least 2 weeks.   You don't even have to have access to a shower; bathroom sinks work great for sponge/bird baths if you can't soak in the tub. 

I had the great misfortune to stand next to someone with awful personal hygeine at Big Lots last week....I won't hijack your thread to talk about it, I'll go write an article....but it was enough to make me gag.

on Aug 10, 2005

Reply By: Dr. Guy
Reply By: dharmagrl
Reply By: Texas Wahine

Uh, let me guess.  The difference between now and then is .....kids?

on Aug 10, 2005
The difference between now and then is .....kids?


Hahhaha...not for me. When we were first married, I was working all the time and attending college, and I had to be dressed and on the ball.

When we got to Hawaii, I was finally able to relax...no outside job or research papers to write or classes to attend. It's like a vacation that never ends. I'm just very chill.

You know those parents that let their kids go places with their shirt inside out?

*raises her hand*

Yep, that's me. So long as it's clean, if they like it and it's weather appropriate, it's fine with me (restaurant dinners and special occasions excluded).

I used to be VERY high strung and kick-ass. It feels nice to relax.
on Aug 10, 2005
I've never liked to dress up. When i was little and my mum would start dressing me up and do my hair ,my brother would roll his eyes and then start picking on me and how i looked.

So i like looking cute alright, and that's possible with jeans and a simple top. I dont like makeup, i never knew how to wear it. It sure looks nice but i dont recognise myself in the mirror. So all my freckles and flaws are for all to see. And jewellery, well i just cant afford to buy heaps of bling. I've been wearing the same earrings for months and the same necklace for at least a year now, lol!

In Vanuatu you cant really dress up nice to walk around in town. Some people walk around barefeet and no one really cares cuz it happens often. I've ran around bare feet in town or in the grocery shop too and then jumped back in the car and no one stared at me in disbelief, lol. But that's the easy spirit here i suppose. I'm sure in Jamaica it would be the same.

Anyway, at the end of the day i agree with you. Casual ok. Dirty a huge no-no! But i wont take offence if someone looks like they havent put an effort to look good that day.
on Aug 10, 2005
I hate playing dress-up but colleen makes me about 1/2 dozen times a year, I do the whole 9 yards, suit, fancy italian shoes, and can even tie my tye several knots matter of fact.
on Aug 10, 2005
My Grama taught me that cleanliness is next to Godliness. I love to shower early in the morning, and slip into
clean, casual cotton clothes.

Dressing up, hmmmmm the last time I actually enjoyed that was in 1978....
sure used to like to dress up.

At my age, for myself, it's alllllll about comfort. No more pointed high heels, suffocating girdles or pantyhose,
and no more "special fabrics" that need dry cleaning.
on Aug 10, 2005
I love dressing casually. I wear shorts practically year-round. I normally wear either a t-shirt or a polo type shirt. And when my hair gets wild I usually put on one of my many ball caps.

I never used to like dressing up. I think the reason was because when I was younger everytime I dressed up it meant going someplace I didn't want to go to and someplace where I had to behave.

Now that I'm older I actually do like dressing up those 2 or 3 times a year I do. Unfortunately none of those times did I ever catch a plane.

I understand what you're saying about people dressing up and I think at certain occasions, where it does call for it, more people should. But when you are doing little everyday things such as going to a store or wherever as long as you and your clothes are clean and presentable, that to me, is and should be enough.
on Aug 11, 2005
I like to dress up once or twice a year. But I wil cover my privates, just not dress up the other 363 days of the year. I like casual. And pretending on occassion as well.


Heehee, I like that you cover your privates! What a shocker that would be!! Casual is good too just as long as you smell good!



I never went anywhere without makeup and my hair done, and I thought that jeans and a t-shirt was sloppy...and sweat pants...omg! Even my kids had to look just so. We didn't have a lot of money, but I shopped at thrift stores and clearance sales, and there was hardly a day that my kids weren't dressed in GAP or Gymboree from head to toe.


Sweat pants is ok with me really I wear that too, mostly when I'm working out though. But I've gone in sweats that look decent and my hair comb to the store or the library. I love thrift shopping, absolutely nothing wrong with that! I can't afford to by GAP and other brand names all the time. Most times I go to Ross or T.J.Maxx when I do that.


If I'm just hanging out at the house, I wear PJ bottoms or jeans with a tank top or t-shirt. If I'm doing something with other people, I try to dress cute, but it's usually just a skirt or jeans and a nice top. If I'm really feeling snazzy, I'll coordinate my tongue ring with my outfit, hehe.


This is ok at home. Nothing wrong with that. I've been known to be in my teddy all day on a sunday while at home because I'm so busy making breakfast and such until I realised that it's time to go change into shorts and a t-shirt. My kids got used to that. Sunday's our lazy day. At least most of the time anyway. I usually end up cleaning.

go to the grocery store without make up, often wearing shorts or jeans and a t-shirt and flip-flops. I'm not too big on appearance anymore. Maybe I'm just a slob or lazy or don't care about my appearance, but I'm not going to go to the effort of blowing my hair out and wearing something uncomfortable for a mundane, every day activity.


Mundane stuff doesn't really require you to go all out but definately looking presentable, even in flip flops, and I love the color ones that you can coordinate with your outfits, is ok to me too. Now wearing your pajamas outside, unless it looks like an outfit, and some do, that's a no no.


You might run into me at the video store some day...I'll be the one wearing shorts and a turquoise tank top with toenail polish that's chipping off, he


That would be neat. I would just ask to see your tongue ring in order to identify that it's you!


However, comfortable and casual does NOT equate dirty and unkempt. Casual to me is a clean pair of jeans and a clean shirt, brushed or combed hair, a clean body and clean teeth. Even during my grunge days when i was wearing jeans with holes in the knees, those jeans were clean.


That's what I'm talking about! Just being clean, smelling clean if you don't get time to take a bath!


I believe too that casual has it's place. When I was working I made sure that on days I had to notarize wills and assist with witness/suspect interviews I was in a suit or other business attire, and I wouldn't dream of going to an interview for ANY job in jeans.


Yep, being dress appropriately for the right occassion is also what I'm talking about too.


As far as I'm concerned there is no excuse for poor personal hygeine. You can get a bar of cheap soap for 50 cents, a bottle of VO5 shampoo runs under a buck, Suave deodorant is about a buck fifty, toothpaste about the same and you can get a three pack of toothbrushes at the dollar store. That's about $6 for enough toiletries to last you at least 2 weeks. You don't even have to have access to a shower; bathroom sinks work great for sponge/bird baths if you can't soak in the tub.


That too. I've had more than one occasion to have my nostrils asailed by the scent of someone who doesn't either uses deodorant and/or hasn't seen water in a couple of days! yeowwy!


Uh, let me guess. The difference between now and then is .....kids?


Kids do definately play a role in how your dress and finding time to get dress, that's definately true.


You know those parents that let their kids go places with their shirt inside out?*raises her hand* Yep, that's me. So long as it's clean, if they like it and it's weather appropriate, it's fine with me (restaurant dinners and special occasions excluded).


That's happened to me before, but my little one wanted it that way! She's even worn different color socks and unmatched shoes outside. There was even that time she wanted to wear clothing that made her look like a circus act. I just got over myself and relax and smile if she chooses to do this and I'm outside with her and anyone comments. What ya gonna do, kids will be kids!


I dont like makeup, i never knew how to wear it. It sure looks nice but i dont recognise myself in the mirror. So all my freckles and flaws are for all to see.


I never started wearing makeup until I was 17 for my high school graduation. Before that no way could you get any on me. When I started going out and meeting boys then I wore make up and got dressed up!

In Jamaica going barefoot wouldn't be a problem if you're in the "country" areas, however in the city, no way! People wouldn't really stare at you per say but for sure they would wonder if you were homeless or something. I like going barefoot sometimes and do at home, walking around outside sometimes too. But I'm afraid of the critters in the grass that might bore into our feet here in Florida so I always tell my kids to have shoes or their flip flops on.


I do the whole 9 yards, suit, fancy italian shoes, and can even tie my tye several knots matter of fact.


I like to see a man that's nicely pulled together. I bet you looked like the cat's pajamas too!


My Grama taught me that cleanliness is next to Godliness. I love to shower early in the morning, and slip intoclean, casual cotton clothes.


Yes it is. I tell my kids that too all the time.
it's alllllll about comfort. No more pointed high heels, suffocating girdles or pantyhose,and no more "special fabrics" that need dry cleaning.


I still wear heels however, not as often. I go for heels that are comfortable so it won't be too high. Pantyhose, I really, really dislike wearing them unless I have to. I'm glad I don't have to at work but I still wear my heels. I've found that most fabrics that says "dry cleaning only" can be washed in the washing machine and hang to dry. Lessens my dry cleaning bill!


love dressing casually. I wear shorts practically year-round. I normally wear either a t-shirt or a polo type shirt. And when my hair gets wild I usually put on one of my many ball caps.


My husband's attire lately. I call it the Florida way of dressing. It's very hot here so of course you dress as comfortably as you can. But there are some people who like I said, really take it to the extreme by wearing dirty smelly clothing and not taking a bath! Ugh! Not everyone here is like that so I don't want anyone thinking that's what I'm saying. You have people who are always pulled together and look nice. But there are those who just don't care.





on Aug 11, 2005

Heehee, I like that you cover your privates! What a shocker that would be!! Casual is good too just as long as you smell good!

Sure do!  Just dont ask my wife about that part!

on Aug 11, 2005
I am a yoga instructor so I usually look like I am headed to or from the gym....even at Walmart. Sigh.

I also used to be a person who swore "my kids' wouldn't be the ones wearing batman pjs out in public. But just yesterday my son took off the nice clothes i dressed him in and showed up in Batman Jammies and cowboy boots when I was already late for work. I give up. I will duck and run if I see snobs coming and just dress him nice for church!
on Aug 11, 2005

I am a yoga instructor so I usually look like I am headed to or from the gym....even at Walmart. Sigh.

Sigh yourself!  HW is a lucky man!

on Aug 11, 2005
But just yesterday my son took off the nice clothes i dressed him in and showed up in Batman Jammies and cowboy boots when I was already late for work. I give up. I will duck and run if I see snobs coming and just dress him nice for church!


I can just see him now! Kids....gotta love them! Having been down that road, I totally understand.