<p>Maybe it’s more specific than “East Coast” but Big City, possibly only NYC, Chicago, LA, type city? On the things you need to teach your kids I saw reference on how to hail a cab-um, what? Here we just call the phone number and they show up. Or we take the first in line at the airport, which is the law. Or we avoid it all and take public transportation.</p>
<p>Reference to dry cleaners comes up often here-I can’t think of one anywhere close to where I live. It’s just not a “thing” here. And having shirts delivered to work? Really? People do that? Maybe wearing cute little tops and designer bags and shoes that cost hundreds is something people “in the city” see as a way of life and to THEM, it seems just odd to wear off-the-rack, or GASP, sweats. </p>
<p>I’m just guessing here but I think Wis is more like most of us. I think most of us just go about our business and don’t worry what the 30-year-old in the next office is wearing, much less mommy him by telling him what to wear. But then, most of us wouldn’t get the vapors having to lay eyes on a 30-year-old coming in from working in construction wearing scuffed pants, stained boots, etc. To others, they’re “the help”. To us, they’re family and we know that Jimmy Choo’s got nothing on them.</p>
<p>Actually, I meant that the politician in question may want to emulate the former president, who seemed to gain electoral favor among some middle-income people by “being someone they feel like they can relate to”.</p>
<p>Life isn’t fair, and one thing not fair is that some people can wear anything and look good, while others have a hard time carrying off a fancy outfit. Looks, body build, and self-confidence all play a role.</p>
<p>One of my college professors, an extremely handsome man, generally wore suits to class. However, one day he wore sweatpants and T-shirt, having just participated in an early morning race. His hair was messed up (no shower, I assume) and he was rather sweaty. There were many female students who had a hard time concentrating on the lecture, and several commented that they wished he’s come to every class dressed like that.</p>
<p>The point is college wear does not matter as long as you are decent (you are not nude, you do not have only underwear,…etc., I imagine that somebody who get accepted to college is capable to comprehend what is decent). However, there are exceptions. If you are to meet with potential employer or if you are at event representing your college to some extend (internships, public speeches, again, any college student would know), then appearance is important and if you the one in sweats all the time, then you need to change for this event. COMMON SENSE is NOT a rocket science. So, why we are trying so hard to transform it to a rocket science? We are all very bored, I am for sure…</p>
He/she wouldn’t say that because it is not the norm to wear face mask unless there is a safety issue. </p>
<p>We hire a lot of very smart people right out of school and many do not have work experience. One of the reasons that I was hired was to mentor them. To be very blunt, to teach them things that they should have learned at home/school. Those kids are so bright that our company feels it is worth it to invest in them, and in some ways they are coddled more. I think the flip side is what if a student is just average and doesn’t have as much to offer?</p>
My daughter works in banking, but a lot of her college friends do not, some work for advertising, non-profit, graduate school…but they get dressed when they go out to eat or go clubbing. They wouldn’t be able to get into some of those places if they didn’t wear proper attires (it maybe jeans with fashionable top, but not sweats or pjs).</p>
<p>I don’t know too many people who would go “out” clubbing or to a nice restaurant in sweats or pj’s though. MOST people wear at least jeans and a nice top - even most otherwise “slobby” people.</p>
<p>My favorite line from someone on this website, “Anything that exists, is worth knowing about.”</p>
<p>Like football, fashion is a humungous industry in this country. You can choose to learn about it and therefore participate with a very large segment of our population, or you can choose to remain ignorant about something that is appreciated by many. That doesn’t mean you have to like it, but insisting that fashion is “irrelevant” to most people or most situations is probably not accurate.</p>
<p>I think that those who feel it is irrlevant in casual situations recoil at the idea that others sit in judgment of them based on appearance only - and even at times make assumptions about their character. I think THAT is why you see such a strong reaction in the opposite direction.</p>
<p>Right, wrong or indifferent - it IS human nature to size people up and make assumptions about them based on appearance perhaps coupled with initial behavior, but perhaps not.</p>
<p>Even if you think that it’s wrong to judge people this way, I think it’s important for people to realize that it IS done by many. That knowledge can help you decide when to wear sweats! :D</p>
<p>Have you considered a personal shopper and one of those drycleaning/laundry services that do pick up and delivery?</p>
<p>garland:
</p>
<p>I am more than a little obsessed with what everyone wears. For me to find something on the street offensive or distasteful, it would almost have to be a kkk hood or the equivalent. If someone is deliberately disrespectful to the immediate family at a funeral or wedding - that would definitely be distasteful to me. Once while living in a part of the NE where no one looks anyone in the eye or talks in line, a middle aged man walked into UPS in white underwear and nothing else. Not boxers, the other kind. I was not offended in the least. I was a little concerned about what this meant. Unstable? Psychology experiment from the nearby university? We all just stood in line and averted our eyes. If this had happened in the south where I live now, someone would have immediately asked him how he was doing, discussed the weather, last night’s big game, and eventually asked, “so - what happened to your pants?”</p>
<p>It is really disturbing to me that there are folks out there judging us all based on standards they believe to be universal, which in reality just aren’t. I am trying very hard not to find it frightening. I hope it is true that the majority of people don’t do this. Because that is the world I want to live in.</p>
<p>Wis:
</p>
<p>Wis - I really agree with most of what you are writing. Not everything though. Sometimes, and especially for funerals, I wear my grandmother’s or mother’s black suits or coat dresses from the late 60s and early 70s. It would be difficult to find similar quality garments today,… certainly not at a reasonable price point for my budget. I am 56. When I buy something now it is always while considering whether it is something I can envision wearing at 90. I am not into disposable fashion. (This doesn’t work for most shoes, only the really special ones.) For me the fine details are definitely worth the money. Now, I own some ( a very very few) rare books. I think they were worth the money. I understand they aren’t worth the money to you. If someone decides never to buy a book and read everything on a nook or kindle - I am not judging. If someone only wants to own first editions, I am not judging that either. Eye of the beholder and all that. Overall society does value rare books, putting them in special libraries. If everyone buys rare books, collectors who have more love and obsession than funds will be disadvantaged. So it is all good. imho</p>
<p>I know all the brands mentioned on the thread. I won’t wear any of them, because I don’t want others of the general public, who know the brands, to recognize my clothes. What kind of twisted logic and elitism is that? :)</p>
<p>You wrote a very nice post, but then you through in this silly paragraph and ruined it.</p>
<p>How is it possible that you have lived 56 years and not learned that many people judge others by standards they believe are universal. Ever hear of religion?</p>
<p>alh, I actually laughed out loud at the man in the tighty whities. That is hilarious! </p>
<p>I am well aware that people judge others based on their appearance, but I have to admit that I am fashion challenged. It is probably worse since my fashionista D is no longer here to help me out. I also have awful feet and wear tennis shoes with really good support on most days. However, I went to the store the other day and purchased comfort loafers. Those of you who keep posting (you know who you are) should be proud- this was definitely spurred on by your posts! I doubt you would find my clothing choices up to your standards, but I promise, I only wear sweat pants when driving to school to drop off in the morning!</p>
<p>oldfort–the point I was clumsily trying to make about the long robe, head scarf and face mask is that in some cultures, that is the form of dress expected of women in order to make the men in those cultures feel comfortable. In a freer culture, such as that in the US, I don’t feel it’s my responsibility to dress in a way that will make other people feel comfortable. It isn’t even possible really. In a work situation, of course, one needs to figure out the standards there and respect them or find a different job. Out on the streets, the idea that it is immature, disrespectful or ignorant to not dress according to your standards or anyone else’s standards, that I do not buy.</p>
<p>crossposted with ucbalumnus–that was the kind of face mask i was talking about.</p>
<p>IME, most folks in advertising also tend to dress formally due to their jobs and personal inclinations towards being fashionable/dressed up. </p>
<p>Regarding non-profits, really depends on the institution and/or the type of position being held. If they’re sponsored/run by those with formal dressing standards and/or the position requires much interaction with the public, then formal wear would be expected. I’ve known of some non-profits with such standards and others which don’t. Seems like there’s some correlation as to degree of corporate sponsorship and/or the political/social leanings of sponsor, leaders, and the organization itself. </p>
<p>Grad students, depends on the field/school. I have seen many MBA and some Law students on campuses dress up like ibankers/biglaw lawyers during non-campus job interview periods. </p>
<p>On the other hand, someone wearing formal corporate wear or high fashion will stick out like a sore thumb if they were Med students at the med schools I’ve seen or Masters/PhD students in many Arts & Sciences departments unless they were presenting/being interviewed at conferences for research, teaching, Professorial jobs, or medical doctor jobs as applicable.</p>
<p>cobrat - you keep saying that over and over again. Can you please provide an example of what that means?</p>
<p>Do you really think when someone is looking for advice on how to dress up for an interview the first thing that comes to their mind is, “oh I’ll look up how ibankers/and biglaw lawyers dress”. Or is this just a manifestation of your limited experience?</p>
<p>For men, dress pants/shirt, conservatively toned ties*, jacket, and shoes at the very minimum and the equivalent for women. </p>
<p>One NYC biglaw firm I worked at also had senior associates and partners critiquing biglaw associates whose formal suits/blouses don’t meet some minimum brand/expense standard in ways similar to and sometimes worse than “oldfort’s” critique of her 28 year old colleague.</p>
<p>Although I was fortunate it didn’t apply to staff like IT workers like myself, the high pressured stuffy atmosphere over brand/expense of formalwear and the tantrums which resulted from some senior associates/partners was a major factor in my decision to quit to seek other opportunities. :(</p>
<ul>
<li>I.e. No bright garish colors or idiosyncratic designs.</li>
</ul>
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