<h1>oldfort- No, I teach my kids you are who you are. You can put a tuxedo on a goat, it is still a goat. It will be a well dressed goat, but a barnyard animal, nonetheless. Clothes do not make the man, but looking down on others will make you less of one.</h1>
<p>Sometimes, I wish I was a guy. We have to “dress for success” for a class on Tuesday. So much easier for guys. lol</p>
<p>Anyway, I thought about this thread a lot over the week as I was locked in the library doing homework. So many sweats and pjs at the library! I honestly never noticed before because I really don’t pay attention. I think 9:00 PM onward in the library is officially “I just don’t care anymore” attire. Also, at my GRE this morning not a single person was wearing jeans that I saw. I guess people didn’t feel the need to dress for the cubicle :). (Side note: I’m pretty sure test proctors want to be there actually less than we do, but that’s neither here nor there… but they seem to be a grumpy lot!)</p>
<p>Not saying anything to fight or argue with anyone- just thought I’d share since this was bumped lol.</p>
<p>I’m 60 years old. I’ve earned a PhD and worked as a psychologist. I’ve served on our town’s school board, the planning commission, non-profit boards, etc. and I’m not mature unless I dress a certain way? My son was somewhat overweight as a kid. He became suddenly slim in high school and then was magically respected. He was the same great kid from one year to the next. i’m going to admit that I think it is superficial to judge people by appearance.</p>
<p>saltwater,
So dressing how I want is not “blazing my own fashion trail,” or is vanity or insecurity, unless it is shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops? I’m not following your train of thought.</p>
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<p>I have no dog in this hunt, but could not resist offering the following quote from Einstein, A to Z, by Karen C. Fox.</p>
<p>Also, saltwater, why are you against beautiful clothing? The manufacture and wearing of fine clothing has been appreciated for centuries. Are you advocating outlawing it or something?</p>
<h1>Bay- Wear whatever makes you happy. But for a moment, think WHY your attire makes you happy. If you went out in sweats and felt uncomfortable, why is that? Do you feel your value as a person is less than if you dressed “nicely”, or are you concerned someone will pass judgement on you? My point is that mores and values are imposed by both society and ourselves. If a person would never dream of going into the daylight dressed as I do, I believe they would benefit from some soul searching.</h1>
<p>“Also, saltwater, why are you against beautiful clothing? The manufacture and wearing of fine clothing has been appreciated for centuries. Are you advocating outlawing it or something?”</p>
<p>Huh??? I don’t think you pulled that from my posts. I think you pulled it out of your, oh never mind…</p>
<p>I wear what I wear because I like the clothing, I think I look good in it, and because I think it shows respect to those around me. What more soul-searching do I need?</p>
<h1>Bay- I believe it is your right to equate dressing nicely in public with showing respect to those that you may encounter outside the home. I also believe we all benefit from acknowledging that there are many different sets of values in this world. To point to a person in some Arab cultures is to suggest that they are going to die. Showing the soles of your feet or shoes is an insult in some countries. Handing something to a person in South Korea with only one hand, not both, is impolite. Constant eye contact during conversation in some Asian cultures is a sign of disrespect. Perhaps you can accept that not everybody shares your value of dress, and they therefore are not showing a lack of respect. Just a different set of values.</h1>
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<p>Yes, I have said over and over that I am well aware that most people do not care about my feelings. I also do not think sloppy sweats and pajamas look good on anyone in public.</p>
<p>Do you just paint the walls of your house any old color and throw in any old furniture, plaid sofa and striped walls, whatever … or do you choose the things that you put in your home to please you aesthetically (whatever your taste and whatever your budget)? Do you hang random pictures on the wall just willy-nilly or do you put up pictures or pieces of art that you enjoy looking at? What the heck is the difference? Why would I care about the aesthetics of my home but not the aesthetics of myself?</p>
<h1>Pizzagirl- That’s kind of apples and oranges, isn’t it? Also, I’m a guy, so I would just as soon live in an undecorated cave as long as it meets my needs. But I haven’t been discussing home decor and furnishings in someone’s private space. I have been discussing the personal choice that people have to go out in public in whatever they please, and poking a little fun at people that feel compelled to get dressed up to go to the post office and the grocery store.</h1>
<p>Are you saying its okay to have a snarky opinion about people who get dressed up to run errands, but not okay to have an opinion about people who wear sloppy sweats and pajamas in public?</p>
<p>i probably dress more casually than pizzagirl or bay, but in a best case scenario, I agree with making at least a minimal effort to look presentable.
i think the difference in opinion lies between what is considered “minimal effort”.</p>
<p>If I have been working outside, & find i need to make a short trip to the post office, i will brush my hair & wash my hands & face ( & feet), and brush off my clothes ( iI would only change them if i was really covered in mud, but my work clothes are fairly presentable when clean- no holes or stains anyway.)</p>
<p>the type of chores i would be doing wearing clothes with rips/stains would be so grungy that i would not only change my clothes before going anywhere- but take a shower too.</p>
<p>If I am going to the grocery store or longer errands, i will not only be clean, but I might even put makeup on!
( apologize for the random capitalization- the only browser that currently works with CC doesnt auto-correct & I can’t catch all the errors on my ipad).</p>
<p>You see Bay, that’s where we differ. You see it as a “snarky” opinion, I see it as mild amusement with a whiff of pity. It would appear that you need to be able to look down your nose at me to make yourself feel better about yourself. I couldn’t care less, but do believe it takes a very small person (soul wise) to have the need to feel superior. Dress up, wear expensive jewelry because wearing jewelry that costs less than $10,000 per item is a sign of disrespect to those who own the big rocks. Carry only this year’s finest $5000 purse, because carrying last year’s is a grave insult to those that have this year’s, and they will be offended. Oh, and arrive at the grocery store via stretch limo. I know, I know, it seems like a waste of money, but hey, appearances are everything.</p>
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<p>This thread does seem to reinforce the stereotype of females caring a lot more than males about dressing for appearance (as opposed to only personal comfort and functionality), with respect to both themselves and others.</p>
<p>You are getting defensive, saltwater, and I didn’t even say anything about you.</p>
<p>Is this one of those situations where when people run out of arguments, they resort to name-calling?</p>
<p>“You are getting defensive, saltwater, and I didn’t even say anything about you.”</p>
<p>Not defensive, just offering advice. My attire conveys disrespect to you, your attire may offend someone else if it not “nice” enough. I think ucbalumnus hit the nail on the head; I care about functionality and comfort. I also follow the mantra “How others see you is not important.”</p>
<p>“Is this one of those situations where when people run out of arguments, they resort to name-calling?”</p>
<p>I’m sorry, what name did I call you?</p>