No frills
The July 2007 edition of Wired magazine includes an elaborate “How to” section. How to change your oil, how to bribe someone, how to order a drink; the categories are numerous. Under the How to Dress Like a Professional section the following quote caught my eye:
I am not fashion savvy but this quote stood out to me. Is the US a nation of slobs (in regard to dress)? I know I tend to dress casual but how casual is too casual? I clean up rather nicely when I need to (most people do) but “dress up” occasions are rare. Of course, even if one agrees the US is a nation of slobs the question becomes: does it matter? After all, don’t most Americans prefer doing their own thing?
Last night at dinner I met up with a few of my siblings. I noticed my brother, W, was wearing his baseball cap inside the restaurant. My first reaction was to reprimand such poor etiquette! I caught myself before the words came out and then marveled at the fact such thoughts had entered my head in the first place. Who am I turning into, Emily Post? If my brother wants to wear his baseball cap inside a restaurant does it really matter? Is the chef or anyone else in the restaurant going to find his cap wearing offensive? Probably not.
Of course, I find it interesting that so many Americans wake up, throw on clothing, leave the house and simply don’t care. Why it is nearly everyone has decided this “no frills” method is the way to go?
“We have become a nation of slobs. I regularly see people in sweatpants and flip flops, even on Seventh Avenue.” –Tim Gunn, chair of fashion at the Parsons School
I am not fashion savvy but this quote stood out to me. Is the US a nation of slobs (in regard to dress)? I know I tend to dress casual but how casual is too casual? I clean up rather nicely when I need to (most people do) but “dress up” occasions are rare. Of course, even if one agrees the US is a nation of slobs the question becomes: does it matter? After all, don’t most Americans prefer doing their own thing?
Last night at dinner I met up with a few of my siblings. I noticed my brother, W, was wearing his baseball cap inside the restaurant. My first reaction was to reprimand such poor etiquette! I caught myself before the words came out and then marveled at the fact such thoughts had entered my head in the first place. Who am I turning into, Emily Post? If my brother wants to wear his baseball cap inside a restaurant does it really matter? Is the chef or anyone else in the restaurant going to find his cap wearing offensive? Probably not.
Of course, I find it interesting that so many Americans wake up, throw on clothing, leave the house and simply don’t care. Why it is nearly everyone has decided this “no frills” method is the way to go?
