How do you dress?

[iguana_tonante]

My styles varies considerably (well, duh), but usually I hover around smart casual: not too dressy, but not too shaggy either.

At work, it's mostly buttoned shirts and a a nice pair of jeans or khaki. Shoes are usually sneakers or some kinds of boots (if it's good enough for the Doctor, it's good enough for me). In winter I'll throw a wool sweater on it, in summer I'll change the shirt for a polo. For more dressy events I'll get a tie (a recent rediscovery for me: I spent years hating them, now I love them) and a sport coat or jacket. I have a couple of full suits but I don't use them often because they scream too much "corporate drone" to me.

In the blazing Italian heat, and if I don't have any meeting, I have been known to wear knee-length shorts and t-shirts to work. The director may frown upon it, but he gets no right to complain unless he improves the damn air conditioning in my room.

Generally I pull my shirt down over my head, then stick my arms through the sleeves.

Funnily, I put the arms first and then the head.

I put on my pants one leg at a time. And I usually put both socks on, then both shoes.

Good point. Never put your socks on before your trousers. Yikes.

 

[Dukat's Major]

It's awesome, I know! It took me years to find it, and I'm a 6'0" gal with a funny shape who hates traditional sizing.

Haha, I'm on the opposite end, 5'1", but I hate traditional sizing too. You should never have showed me this site. I'm just going through thinking .. and I want this, and this, and this ...

OMG, DUKAT, you HORRIBLE WOMAN! Thanks a lot for posting that damned eshakti site. Now I have to shop! I don't have the money for this. I blame you!

Sorry (oh, and you can still call me Elmo if you want --- Dukat sounds weird! )

Custom sizing, though! The idea being (which is the way clothing should be marketed in the first place) that pieces should be made to fit you, rather than the other way around

Weirdly enough, men's clothing probably sticks closer to this ideal than ladies. The concept of the custom suit (whether made-to-measure or bespoke) has never really lost fairly widespread currency amongst buyers of men's clothing even in the ready-to-wear era. Admittedly, actual ownership may be less, but still, I'd bet the percentage of men wearing some form of custom-made clothing is much higher (although still low in absolute terms) than women doing the same.

I think this is evident in even basic pants sizing, for instance, which is usually given in at least waist-inseam for men's sizes, and usually just a single magical (not terribly consistent) number which correlates to waist/height/hips in women.

On the other hand, couture dresses and the like fell away rapidly in ladies fashion once pret-a-porter really took off. It's good to see it returning in some parts, at least. There's nothing like a well-fitted glamorous dress to flatter a woman's figure (well, except a good pair of heels, but that rather goes without saying).

I wish more young women would take advantage of custom sizing --- I can't tell you what a custom dress does for one's self-esteem! And of course cut and style are so important --- for years I was trying to wear popular styles which were so unflattering to my figure. When I discovered swing dresses it was like everything changed!

Post-purchase tailoring is another absolute necessity too many people have forgotten, but that's a somewhat tangential story, I guess.

It is, but it's really necessary, especially if one doesn't have a shape of whatever nested-doll pattern is being used (for women a slight hourglass, for men I'm not quite sure...). My sewing machine and sewing box are always on hand whenever I get a new piece. Often I have to fix just the bust and straps, but sometimes I need to deal with hemlines as well. Why let a beautiful piece go to waste by letting it gape in the wrong places? (not that there are right places to gape, but I think you catch my meaning... )

 

[WillsBabe]

Zip then fasten, or fasten then zip?

Do you want to talk socks?

Go ahead, Mr Garibaldi.

 

[Emher]

Weeell in ten years I've gone from huge loose t-shirts and sweatpants to some nice buttoned shirts and tennis shirts and goodlooking jeans, pirate pants and shorts in summer and some nice slacks when the occasion calls for it. So I'd say that's progress.

Usually I spend most of my time these days in practical work clothes, but I do like to look good when off duty. I aim for that now, something I didn't back in the day.


I have to say though to Elmo that I love the dresses. Love it when women wear dresses, not because of some warped sexist stuff but rather it ususually looks way better.

 

[Holdfast]

My sewing machine and sewing box are always on hand whenever I get a new piece.

One day I'll learn to do things myself. My skills are limited to replacing lost buttons and that's about it. I am a very fussy customer at my tailor's though.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

My sewing machine and sewing box are always on hand whenever I get a new piece.

One day I'll learn to do things myself. My skills are limited to replacing lost buttons and that's about it. I am a very fussy customer at my tailor's though.

Sounds like me. Buttons and an occasional hem (no lining).

 

[greenguy]

What I wore today (fairly typical for a workday):

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Zip then fasten, or fasten then zip?

Do you want to talk socks?

I am NOT having this conversation.

Oh, and 1) fasten then zip; 2) trousers then socks.

 

[ares93]

forgot the jacket at my friends house so i don't have a live pic but i wore something similar to this today. Traditional Hungarian Bocskai suit