Dress and Good Grooming: Are We Becoming Slobs?

[scotpens]

I think this relates to the recent Good Manners thread. I ran across this column the other day:

http://www.creators.com/opinion/froma-harrop/slobs-and-the-american-civilization.html

Do you believe sloppy public attire contributes to a decline in the overall culture? How do you normally dress for work, travel, home, social occasions? Does your workplace have a dress code? If you're an elementary or high school teacher, do you have a problem with kids coming to school dressed inappropriately? And is this trend toward ever more casual clothing and grooming mainly an American thing, or is it happening in other countries as well?

 

[RoJoHen]

Well, with my current job, I just wear basketball shorts and a t-shirt...but of course, I work in a gym and am often helping people exercise. All previous jobs I've had have required a specific uniform.

That said, I always try to look presentable in public. Jeans and a t-shirt is certainly acceptable if you're just running errands around town.

I applied for a job as a bartender last week, and even though all I was doing was filling out a piece of paper and leaving, I still dressed up (dress pants, button-up shirt, nice shoes). It wasn't even an interview!

It just depends on the situation. I don't think there is any reason to dress up all the time just because you're at work. It does bug me a little bit, though, when I see people out in public in their pajamas.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Costuming and grooming styles are superficial and have no real value; wearing a tie or a dress doesn't make somebody more qualified for a job-- unless you're applying for a job as a model.

 

[Deckerd]

Costuming and grooming styles are superficial and have no real value

Holdfast will be along in a minute to tell you just how wrong one person can possibly be.

 

[Emher]

I wear my heavy duty work clothes to work, work up a sweat pretty much every day. So if I stop by the shop on the way home, yes I'm in work clothes.

Otherwise I try to look presentable and clean always. I trim my beard, I maintain my hygiene, I keep my shoes as clean as can be during this time of the year.

Very rarely will you seem me in public in say sweatpants and a t-shirt. I will wear that if I have nothing else and haven't showered yet on a laundry day.

 

[RoJoHen]

Costuming and grooming styles are superficial and have no real value; wearing a tie or a dress doesn't make somebody more qualified for a job-- unless you're applying for a job as a model.

True, but it certainly helps others take you seriously as an applicant if they're not distracted by your sloppy attire.

 

[iguana_tonante]

I always dress to the occasion. That could mean everything from a suit to shorts and t-shirt. Better to be overdressed than underdressed, but you'll end up looking ridiculous in both cases.

At work we don't have a dress code (I work at the university), so I wander from jeans and button-up shirts in winter to cargo pants and t-shirt in summer (you won't see me in sweatpants except at home or exercising). If I'm giving a presentation or a lecture, I will dress up a bit, probably a tie and a leisure jacket: it's still academia, people will notice if you dress nicely but they will not worry about mismatched socks.

As for grooming, there is really no conceivable reason to be sloppy about that. Period. Shower, comb your hair, shave or trim your beard. If you don't, you suck.

 

[Shazam!]

I think modern day fashion trends suck ass period

Popped collars, pre-ripped/faded jeans, t-shirts with shitty logos on them, asymmetrical haircuts, trousers hanging around your ass, epaulettes on coats, skinny fit jeans...

 

[RoJoHen]

asymmetrical haircuts

...really?

What about a guy with his hair parted on the side (a pretty standard male haircut)?

 

[Emher]

I think modern day fashion trends suck ass period

Popped collars, pre-ripped/faded jeans, t-shirts with shitty logos on them, asymmetrical haircuts, trousers hanging around your ass, epaulettes on coats, skinny fit jeans...

I'd agree with that.

And what's with this whole thing of dressing down for a party? When we had the start of the year party at school I studies at last year I had on some nice pants, my suit jacket and a good looking long sleeved buttoned shirt, and played it down a bit with wearing good looking sneakers since I knew I where going to be moving around a bit and have yet to find comfortable shoes that look good. And I was like one of two guys who didn't have just ripped jeans and shitty looking shirts. The girls where trying way harder by the way.

 

[Shazam!]

asymmetrical haircuts

...really?

What about a guy with his hair parted on the side (a pretty standard male haircut)?

Asymmetrical haircut not style.

 

[RoJoHen]

And what's with this whole thing of dressing down for a party?

Eh, depends on the party.

I know that when any of my friends have a party that we don't give a shit what the others look like. Half the time we end up hanging out in sweat pants.

 

[ancientone51]

High school teacher here who has to try to get the students to follow a basic dress menu and it has been an uphill battle. They get a choice of limited colors on polo shirts, or shirts with collars, and "slacks" or shorts or skirts. The pants aren't supposed to bag and the shirts are to be tucked in.

Since when do polo shirts open to the navel? How old do you have to be to be able to remember to, or know how to, tuck your shirt in? What kind of shirts do you need that will stay tucked in?

I could go on for way too long, I have to get ready to go in and would like to save my blood pressure surges till the kids show up.

Admin is too worried about their own hind ends to deal...other schools have stricter rules and can enforce them.

I wear dress slacks, cheap but good, and a simple sweater stye top most of the time.

 

[RoJoHen]

^Glad I never had a dress code in school. I hate tucking in my shirt!

 

[iguana_tonante]

And what's with this whole thing of dressing down for a party? When we had the start of the year party at school I studies at last year I had on some nice pants, my suit jacket and a good looking long sleeved buttoned shirt, and played it down a bit with wearing good looking sneakers since I knew I where going to be moving around a bit and have yet to find comfortable shoes that look good.

Actually, I love wearing sneakers with a suit or a leisure jacket. It is funny, comfortable, and makes me feel like the Doctor.

 

[Jetfire]

I think I am going to start wearing a moo-moo an shower cap.

I am sure one of you kind people will produce a Homer Simpson picture soon.

 

[Emher]

And what's with this whole thing of dressing down for a party?

Eh, depends on the party.

I know that when any of my friends have a party that we don't give a shit what the others look like. Half the time we end up hanging out in sweat pants.

Well yes, but this was just the party where it was sort of expected to dress up. I've had tons of parties and get-togethers where everyone knows each other and are relaxed, but this was not such a a party.

And what's with this whole thing of dressing down for a party? When we had the start of the year party at school I studies at last year I had on some nice pants, my suit jacket and a good looking long sleeved buttoned shirt, and played it down a bit with wearing good looking sneakers since I knew I where going to be moving around a bit and have yet to find comfortable shoes that look good.

Actually, I love wearing sneakers with a suit or a leisure jacket. It is funny, comfortable, and makes me feel like the Doctor.

I do too actually, but the fashion snob in me goes "YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG!" every time I do Helps that it's a real pain to find shoes in my size and that when I do find them, they're kinda expensive.

 

[Cali]

At work I have to wear uniform - a shirt with the company logo on it and as of yesterday, jeans. Changed from smart black trousers. I'm not sure why they changed it and I'm still convinced it's some big, early, April Fool's joke or something.

 

[Kataaran]

I get to wear whatever I want to work, as long as it's not a t-shirt with my previous employers logo on it :P As for anything else if I'm required to dress up too much (balls, fancy dress parties, etc) then I'm more likely just to not go.

 

[Purdy Bear]

Im going in the opposite direction, but then Iv never been one for trends.

Since I dont work because of ill-health, its really easy to slob out, but recently Iv decided that just isnt me. It certainly affects the way I think, and I just cant get anything done when Im in a track suit.

Iv brought some clothes, more classic/romantic (mostly fitted stuff). Iv recently shaved off the remainder of my hair (I only had scraggly bits) and Im totally getting myself sorted out.

I dont know about you, but watching Star Trek (for me its Captain Janeway) just inspires me to better myself.