UGH! Can't people dress up anymore??

[blowinbubbles]

My mom recently commented to me that she is amazed at what people wear wehn they go out. She told me when we were little (the 60's) and she had to take us to the doctor, she always dressed nicely. Now people wear sweats and sneakers, or shorts and flip flops. Basically that we've gotten lazy and don't take pride in our appearance like we used to do "back in the day!"

 

[ajk912]

I never understood the expectation to dress up anyway. Funerals, job interviews, and work I can understand. You are either getting paid to do a job (or trying to get the job). Funerals, you need to respect the dead.

But everywhere else? Why? Why do I need to wear a special outfit for this? I do..but why? If my clothes are clean, well fitted (so no "hanging off the butt" jeans), without tears or rips, WHO CARES?

 

[bicker]

I do believe I feel better about myself when I am dressed classier than at home.

I think that's really an important aspect of this: Folks shouldn't feel bad about dressing up, even beyond the standard of dress the restaurant requires, if they wish to, if it makes them feel better about themselves.

 

[My sister's princess]

I think that's really an important aspect of this: Folks shouldn't feel bad about dressing up, even beyond the standard of dress the restaurant requires, if they wish to, if it makes them feel better about themselves.

I really like to think it isn't even about making yourself feel better, it is about making the outing more special!

 

[debster812]

Well, since most Brazilian steakhouses are based on the Gaucho Churrascaria (Cowboy Barbeque), I don't see where jeans would be even slightly out of place. But, to each their own.

The last time we had one of these threads on the CB it really deteriorated. I can't tell you the last time I was bothered by what someone else was wearing somewhere.

 

[almburr]

DBF and I went to see the nutcracker a few weeks back. I wore dress slacks and a sweater and he wore dress slacks a button up shirt and a tie. We take our seats and a another couple our age walks in. The boy has a foot high Mohawk and is wearing torn jeans and a dirty sweatshirt. The girl is in club like attire. It made me ashamed to be about the same age (19-20ish) What bothered me more though was when the boy was hooting and whistling at the curtain call

maybe his jeans cost $150 to look ripped and dirty . thats what I hate jean shopping and they are ripped and look dirty, yuck. Someplaces jeans are fine, but others no, dress up a bit.

 

[antmaril]

OP--I feel the same way as you do. I think, in general, americans have become much more slovenly. I, for one, enjoy getting dressed up on occasion and for those times when I don't (which is more the norm) I don't go to restaurants that have a dress code or are a bit more upscale. I also make sure my children are neat and at least a little dressed for church. I do believe it shows respect. Now, I certainly don't lose sleep over any of this (as I'm sure you don't either), but it does bug me a little when people show up in t-shirts and sweats to a less casual place. JMO, of course.

I agree with you both.

 

[bicker]

Well, since most Brazilian steakhouses are based on the Gaucho Churrascaria (Cowboy Barbeque), I don't see where jeans would be even slightly out of place.

I really like to think it isn't even about making yourself feel better, it is about making the outing more special!

What makes an outing more special, for one person, may not make it more special, for some other person, and vice versa.

 

[KyraS]

Restaurants really don't bother me unless it's something just obvious (Like someone half dressed.) I'm usually to busy with my own family to even notice.

HOWEVER, weddings and funerals is where I draw the line. You really should dress for both. Unless, of course, Betty-Jo and Earl are having a ho-down wedding at the local swimming hole then dress appropriately!

 

[BillSears]

I'm sorry but no matter how expensive it is an all you can eat place isn't something you need to dress up for. Sure dirty torn clothing isn't appropriate anywhere but clean jeans should be welcome.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I really like to think it isn't even about making yourself feel better, it is about making the outing more special!

Maybe it isn't a special outing to them. That restaurant may very well be a place they dine in often. If so, it has become a typical meal, not a special one.

 

[My sister's princess]

Maybe it isn't a special outing to them. That restaurant may very well be a place they dine in often. If so, it has become a typical meal, not a special one.

And that makes me sad for them I think that many people have hit that place where there isn't much left to them that is special and exciting! When you talk about people "back in the day" getting dressed up to fly and travel it is because it was special and exciting. That was what I was saying. There are so few things left today that are exciting, maybe the OP is feeling that they are being cheated out of one of the few things left, not to put words in the OP's mouth.

 

[My sister's princess]

maybe his jeans cost $150 to look ripped and dirty . thats what I hate jean shopping and they are ripped and look dirty, yuck. Someplaces jeans are fine, but others no, dress up a bit.

Give me the 150 you spent on those jeans dude and I will get you 5 pairs of jeans and 2 pairs of dress pants to go to the ballet in O dear I guess I have been spending too much time on the budget board

 

[wilderness01]

My mom recently commented to me that she is amazed at what people wear wehn they go out. She told me when we were little (the 60's) and she had to take us to the doctor, she always dressed nicely. Now people wear sweats and sneakers, or shorts and flip flops. Basically that we've gotten lazy and don't take pride in our appearance like we used to do "back in the day!"

I wear flip flops alot. They are swarvoski crystal flip flops that cost me over $100 and go very nicely with dress pants in the warmer weather. Sorry, I would have never dreamed that I was offending anyone and take a lot of pride in my appearance. I get tons of compliments from people and inquires as to where they can purchase my shoes. Not everyone feels the same way and to each their own I suppose.

 

[Mom2Nick]

I seriously hope I never get to a point in my life where I allow the way other people dress to affect me at all.

Some people focus way too much on things that really do not matter. If the restaurant and hotel allowed them in dressed like that then they couldn't have been that bad.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

Last night we went out to dinner at Fogo de Chao, the Brazilian steakhouse that runs $50/person before drinks, tax, and tip. There was a guy in crocs and many, many people in jeans. Not nice "Dress" jeans, but rumply, wrinkled jeans. One guy had keys sticking out of his pockets!
The Sunday before Christmas we went to Sunday Brunch at the Fours Seasons in Chicago, and there were teenagers there in SWEATS! For crying out loud! I don't know the exact price since I didn't pay, but around $80/person. My kids are 5 & 7 and know how to dress at "polite restaurants" (DS's words). Thankfully they are too young yet to whine, but why can't I wear my high school sweatshirt to brunch?!"

We are by no means wealthy but we buy our kids appropriate clothing for such occasions, even though they might only wear it once. Come on people, It's New Year's Eve and one of the top hotels in the US right before Christmas!

(Our kids did not go to Fogo, although our son has been there for lunch)

OMG Can you believe it? That must mean they actually drove to the restaurant!

 

[WOW]

The only thing that bothers me are these people with thongs........and it seems like many people just love to bend over so they can be seen....ugh!!!!!!

 

[Ember]

Count me in as someone who feels sad people don't take more pride in their appearance. Does what someone chooses to wear ultimately affect me? No. But much like manners and etiquette, being in a formal social situation where people dress nicely adds to the ambiance and makes for a more pleasant experience.

Example: When in London I went for Afternoon Tea at the Ritz. It's a very formal setting, using real silver and china, there is a quartet playing, etc. Part of the enjoyment of being there was the luxury of the experience and dressing as though you belong is part of that. It may not be my business if someone arrived in jeans (thought I think they would have been turned away), but it would detract from the overall ambiance. If you don't want to dress nicely, speak quietly, and eat little dainties - don't come. Drink tea in your home. The ritual of tea and the beautiful environment is part of what I'm paying for.

In addition, how you present yourself speaks volumes. You teach people how to treat you - as quoted by Stacy and Clinton on "What Not to Wear." In university I was that student who always dressed as the professional I hoped to one day be. There was a noticeable difference in how my professors treated me. This may be "wrong" but it doesn't make it less true. Just as your diction and manner of speech defines you, so does your dress.

 

[freckles and boo]

Brazilian steakhouse = elastic waistband.

 

[Metsfan520]

I like to dress up, but I also understand that a lot of people don't like to. Each to their own, if we were all the same, life would be boring.