Slob Nation: Why Do So Many People Today Dress Like Hobos in Public?


I've complained on here before about the way people--Americans in particular--dress today, but the topic is worth revisiting. The massive decline in dressing nicely and appropriately in our country has gotten so bad that Bill Maher addressed our world of "slob culture" on Real Time in October 2013 (when Crocs were introduced in the late 90s, Maher quipped that people won't be happy until they can go shopping in a diaper) and I've read numerous blog posts attesting to how our European counterparts dress compared to us (hint: we've really let ourselves go.)

Some might say I'm being snooty, superficial, judgmental--and maybe even a bully for having this opinion. I'm not saying that I have a problem with people wearing t-shirts, shorts, etc. when running errands. Like anyone else I love to dress casually, and it would be pretty ridiculous to don a dress and gloves to pick up milk and bread like they did in the 1950s.

However, there is such a thing as being too casual. To me, it's not a question of bullying but of having respect for oneself and even others when out in public to dress in a way so that we're not subjecting innocent bystanders to seeing a body part where the sun doesn't shine. This is the reason why sites like People of Walmart get the attention they do--many of the images on there are so unbelievably grotesque and repulsive (breasts, bellies, and butts spilling out of too tight fabric; underwear missing altogether; bodily fluids leaking onto the aisle floor) they make me throw up in my mouth. 

It seems nowadays that the only time people make an effort to dress up is when they HAVE to, like at job interviews, weddings, and funerals. And from what I hear, slob nation is making its way into those social situations, too. People today just don't seem to give a s*it about their appearance and the way they present themselves. 

The Canadians apparently take more pride in their appearance than we Americans do. Consider a 2013 news story about Mitchell Casado--a Canadian flight simulator pilot working for uFly--who was fired for not dressing professionally enough. He had appeared regularly on CNN to discuss the missing Malaysian airliner wearing jeans and open plaid shirts, which didn't sit well with viewers, who told uFly's owner that he was "shaming Canadians" and making the country look bad to the rest of the world. Despite warnings from his boss, Casado refused to upgrade his on-air wardrobe and was subsequently fired. I have one word for uFly's owner and his decision: huzzah!

Coco Chanel once famously quipped, "Dress shabbily, and they remember the dress. Dress impeccably, and they remember the woman." That quote must be extended today to both sexes. Women notice certain things when they first see a man--his eyes, his smile, his shoulders. I notice those physical traits, too, but also the way he is dressed. Unfortunately, so many men today in this country seem to be horrendous dressers. (Side note: I am not laying all of the blame on men here. Women...a lot of women...dress sloppily, too--but as a woman, I've noticed a few things about guys that have turned me off.) 

I have seen too many men dressed inappropriately in fine restaurants and other venues that call for some professionalism: baseball caps (a huge no-no when worn indoors, guys--remember that scene from The Sopranos?), wife beaters or tank tops (that expose their tattoos; lovely), baggy items that are way too large, sweatshirts, t-shirts, shorts, sneakers and sandals. 

On the rare occasion men wear a suit, it is often way too large, unflattering, and clearly hadn't been tailored or chosen more carefully for their body shape. It's best to leave the oversized formal wear to David Byrne. 

Unless you know how to do this, find a good tailor.

I once went to a Meetup event after work once that was held in the downstairs lounge of a nice local restaurant. The guys who showed up--many of whom were single--looked like they were about to go hiking or to the beach. It was underwhelming to say the least. Whatever happened to the saying "the clothes make the man"?

Suits, ties, and dresses: Ah yes, the way people used to dress for summer BBQs. Extreme? Maybe, but have you seen the way people dress today?

Take a look sometime at how male movie stars--especially European celebs--are dressed for a magazine shoot. They are almost always wearing a suit that's been tailored to work with their physique and fit them properly, or a nice jacket over a button-down shirt. Even the way they dress casually is heads and tails above us. Their pants are slimmer than that staple of American men's closets, chino pants. American guys hate slender pants, by the way -- they say this style looks "gay"; I say it looks way more flattering than baggy pants (though part of the reason the slim pant trend will never catch on here is because of some men's weight issues, which is another blog post entirely.)

But I digress...this post is about how people in general dress today. I'm not asking that every man dress like Don Draper and go to work wearing a suit, tie, and hat (but us ladies would certainly not complain if the working world looked like that again; just saying.) I am asking for someone who dresses like a gentleman and presents himself professionally when the situation and setting calls for it. A nice, fitted sweater or button-down shirt and clean shoes, for example, goes a long way. 

Some women wear way too big/baggy/frumpy clothing as well. 

Even the mod youth culture of 1960s England was made up of some pretty snazzy dressers...(picture via Paul Townsend on Flickr)

It's interesting to look at vintage photos of any decade of the 20th century through the 1990s, and compare it to your average shopping mall photo of today. I'd say it was around the late 1990s that people gradually started slacking off more and more in the wardrobe department, perhaps due to the widespread adoption of casual Fridays in the workplace (which eventually became casual Monday through Friday) and the rise of the dotcom industry, with its laid back company culture (which allowed people to ride scooters inside the office; I worked for one of these places myself.) It was a privilege to wear jeans on Fridays, but now it seems we've gone to the other extreme, and in many offices the dress code is now too lax or nonexistent. 

Today's pop culture doesn't help, either. Have you seen what celebs wear in public (when not posing for those magazines, of course) vs. how they used to dress when not filming a movie? A lot of so-called "stars" look like they left the local homeless shelter. The baffling popularity of reality TV shows like Duck Dynasty seems to send a weird message to men that walking around in camouflage with a beard and hair down to your nipples is sexy. 

Whatever the reason, I refuse to believe that lack of money is the main cause for dressing like slobs. As Maher pointed out in his on-air editorial, if you can afford $17.99 pajama bottoms with the Budweiser logo on them, then you can afford the $11.99 jeans at Target. Or in my neck of the woods, if you have hundreds of dollars to drop on Red Sox tickets, beer, and hotdogs, you have more than enough for a decent coat or jacket. 

I could go on and on about this topic all day, but I guess I will end on a positive note: if I'm ever having an "ugly" day, all I have to do to cure it is make a visit to my local store.

137 comments:

  1. Hi, Pam! I couldn't agree with you more. During my childhood in the 1950s, the manner of dress was much more formal than it is today. My father practically wore a coat and tie to mow the lawn. Most people took pride in looking their best and dressing for success.

    I take after my father and still enjoy wearing a suit even when it is not required and I run the risk of being overdressed. I believe that people feel better about themselves, perform better, enhance their credibility and create their own good luck by looking their best.

    Thank you for an interesting and important post, Pam!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know I'm late. However, I do believe this condition of looking like bums seeming to have little to know pride, is all (Gov.) "planned". First, it was clothing, then came the no shave look. Look at TV shows, like Hawaii Five-O, past vs new series. Just who is the "boss"?

      You can say the same about "Reality" shows, while a few decent ones, most are junk. They're like spying on your next-door neighbor. Oh, and the "language", notice the level of profanity that is mostly bleeped out, radio, TV, etc..

      Great topic, Pam!

      Delete
    2. Society has become a.mass of slobs

      Delete
    3. Dressing neatly implies good hygiene and cleanliness, which is something that is very important.

      Delete
  2. Hi Shady - Thank you for your comments and you raise a good point that I failed to mention; I feel more confident when I'm pulled together. It's kind of sad that wearing a suit and tie would make one overdressed in certain environments I remember when some restaurants required jackets and would lend them to men who walked in without wearing up. Anyways, thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm a guy and I feel like you about this issue. It is disgusting that people just dont care about anything and make sure they dress the part. I thought I was the only who even noticed and am very glad for your article. Society needs a generous dose of respectability.

      Delete
    2. I'm a guy and I feel like you about this issue. It is disgusting that people just dont care about anything and make sure they dress the part. I thought I was the only who even noticed and am very glad for your article. Society needs a generous dose of respectability.

      Delete
  3. Hmm, interesting points. I wonder if the slobbiness could be a cause of a societal lack of confidence, or, the other way around, if a societal lack of confidence could be the cause of slobby appearance?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just a guess, but since Americans have been hammered by so many different groups about how awful we are, we may be starting to believe the propaganda. Is it possible that our collective bad self-image is appearing in our style or lack thereof?

      Delete
  4. Annie -- I think it's a combination of several reasons: laziness, lack of pride, lack of common sense, the spilling over of casual Friday (which I never had a problem with) into places where one shouldn't be so casual. Considering it takes a lot of nerve to wear PJs out in public, I wouldn't count lack of confidence as one of the reasons.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think adults are copying the extreme casual dress their children wear more and more casual and sloppy as time goes on. If you're a parent of young children you're not fooling anybody.
      Martin Pardys

      Delete
    2. Let's not confuse confidence with stupidity.

      Delete
  5. P.S. Thanks for your comments!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good piece, Pam--I honestly think about this almost everyday (from an office perspective). I'm constantly surprised by all the jeans in the office (I guess at 52 I'm old school, but I can't bring myself to wear 'em to work. My first job out of high school was in a home improvements store, and in 1980 they werent permitted even there!)

    From my first office job in the mid-1980s up to 2000, I always had one suit in the cleaners, 2-3 "work suits" in my closet & 1-2 "good suits". At lunchtime you'd walk into the local Macy's mens dept, say "no thanks" to the cologne lady who wanted to spritz you & join the 100 other guys at table after table of dress shirts and neckties. In the 80s we "woven ties", around 1990 everything was silk with geometric patterns, in the mid 90s, the trend was floral ties!

    I walked into that same dept store a week ago and saw virtually nothing. One tie rack in the back. No one at it.

    I honestly think my boss likes it this way though. He's the only one in our office wearng a shirt & tie now, it's obvious who's boss. All I know is, I make twice the money I did in 1995 but feel about half as professional.

    (Sorry for my long ramble)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am only 16 years old, it's not only age that matters, it's intelligence and basic common sense of capitalism and aestethics. The people don't try to look their best because they live inside a marxist fever dream where everyone is their best buddy and everyone is so very equal. All this nonsense with the jeans (mining and peasant trousers) started in the 70s with the rise of the left. As I live in a German speaking country I have also noticed that formal greeting is being more and more reduced. The only people that I know who dress acceptable are the elderly. This loss of basic common sense of what looks good has been indicated into the people for generations. They do not care what they wear and where they sleep on. They even go so far as to consider formal clothing stiff and boring. Thirty year olds having the mind set of a 15 year old. This nonsense has to stop right now.

      Delete
    2. I am only 16 years old, it's not only age that matters, it's intelligence and basic common sense of capitalism and aestethics. The people don't try to look their best because they live inside a marxist fever dream where everyone is their best buddy and everyone is so very equal. All this nonsense with the jeans (mining and peasant trousers) started in the 70s with the rise of the left. As I live in a German speaking country I have also noticed that formal greeting is being more and more reduced. The only people that I know who dress acceptable are the elderly. The people nowadays don't seem to care about anything important or any basic cultural and social norms. This nonsense needs to stop right now.

      Delete
    3. This is what modern technology has wrought. Iphones have become the "opium of the people." Also the problem of world overpopulation and terrorism are alarming. Yet, given enough time there may be a reaction to all this boorish behavior and sloppiness masquerading as fashion. My grandfather used to say that the "pendulum swings." I'm still waiting to see if it will.

      Delete
    4. Me too, I hope it's soon
      I'm an old broad

      Delete
  7. Love your observations, Doug. It's interesting what you noted about necktie supplies...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nice column, Pam. Public slobbiness started earlier than you noted. I went to Las Vegas (for the first and last time)for a business convention in 1990 and was staggered by how badly everyone in the casinos dressed. It was especially shocking since I expected casino-goers to be as well dressed as they were depicted in movies and on TV shows.

    I was wearing business casual -- dress shirt, tie, nice slacks and shoes -- and people stared at me. When I decided to try a casino's vaunted buffet, I had to make my way through a milling throng. As I passed one couple, I heard the wife tell her husband, "Follow him, Ed. He must know where he's going. He's wearing a tie."

    ReplyDelete
  9. image is the provenance of the non-performer.

    or, as we said in the Army, "All show, no go."...if you're counting on your appearance to carry the day, it's doubtful you have the chops to compete any other way. take the Kardashians, for instance.

    (please,take them, and far away if you do. %-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gene - first of all, from a fellow Pole to another, dzien dobry! Second, very funny observation about your casino experience. Casino clientele today is definitely not the way they look in the movies!

    redc1c4 - I suppose you've never heard of the saying "dress the part"? Even in the Army, that uniform and one's appearance is part of what makes a man a soldier. I don't consider the Kardashians a good example of the point you're trying to make, because a lot of what they wear is trampy.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I should qualify my comment by stating that my work environment, while assigned a "suit-position", requires that I wear clothes more conducive to getting dirty, i.e., t-shirt, jeans and work shoes; my uniform of the day which is always clean and well fitting at least at the start of the day. Having said that, I wholeheartedly agree with you; the absolute laziness and sloppiness of people (including, but not limited to, prospective employees) appalls me. I LIKE wearing a suit when I go out, though I may appear overdressed in even "fine dining" establishments. Proper manners in general have slipped exponentially. It seems to get worse every year. Shady has it right, you feel better about yourself when you are "looking your best". I hope sometimes that I DO make people feel uncomfortable for being under-dressed. "Dress for success" is a true statement. Never apologize, Pam, for stating the obvious. That's not bullying, it's setting the standard.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Once again, Pam you've gotten inside my head and blogged about what I'm thinking! I actually had a senior faculty member come and talk to our new faculty about how to dress professionally (and why it is important...and these weren't just the stereotype faculty who lack "social skills," shall we say?).

    When I'm "casually" dressed in a basic skirt and sweater, I'm considered "dressed up" because everyone else is running errands in their pajamas.

    Well...you know...I could rant on this forever! *laugh*

    ReplyDelete
  13. Do you remember the effort put out in buying an Easter outfit? I do; a little mans suit with shiny black shoes, a little fake kerchief, and a perfect coiffure. That training reflected in my life. I believe such personal values start at home but the catch-22 is if they weren't there or inculcated to begin with. I spend a lot of time wondering when people will care of such things again. When will a renaissance begin? Or darkly, is the past never to repeat, stagnating or spiraling down? That thought chills me and make me sad, and more lonely for days gone by. s-a-h-d

    ReplyDelete
  14. Another excellent post! I was reminded of a David Sedaris essay where he suggested to North Americans visiting Paris that one shouldn't visit another person's country dressed like they have come over to fix the plumbing.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Bobby TrosclairMay 03, 2014 10:06 PM

    In re J D Lowe's post, there was a popular series of travel guides published back in the 1960s and 1970s with titles like "Europe on $10 a Day" or "New York on $5 a Day." They were very popular, but most of the suggested hotels were skid-row dives and the restaurants tended to be of the Automat (remember them?) variety. A suggestion in one of the European books was to save all your worn-out, stained, threadbare clothes for your big European vacation, and then throw out each item after it was worn - that way, there would be ever-increasing space in your suitcase for souvenirs.

    That suggestion always seemed like the epitome of bad advice to me - to save your money and then travel to the source of western culture, only to dress like you're getting ready to paint your house back home.

    But really, that's essentially what we are doing now as a nation, as Pam points out. Even working class people (which I am) used to take pains to dress as best they could for special occasions, such as church or going out to dinner. Nowadays, everyone wears sweatpants like cranky children who insist on wearing their pajamas out in public. Seemingly half of our youths wear those hideous "gauge" earrings that distend their ear lobes, coupled with neck tattoos that used to only be seen on convicts, big chunky necklaces, and baseball hats worn sideways and uncreased, like an escapee from a lunatic asylum.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Loving the comments...Bobby, I wonder if that travel guide you mention was responsible for starting the phrase "ugly American."

    Someone on Facebook (not a fan of the blog's page, but another page who shared it) took offense at the post and said people don't have enough money to afford food with this economy, let alone proper clothing. (Never mind the fact the photo I used showed a woman shopping for food in the grocery store.) I don't buy that argument because if you can afford PJ bottoms with the Duck Dynasty logo on them, then you can afford proper daytime pants from Target or Walmart.

    It's not a question of money, but of class, as in the way you present yourself in public. Both of my parents grew up in thrifty households, but my grandparents always made sure they and their siblings had appropriate clothing to wear to school, church, etc. They always had a winter coat.

    Speaking of strange body piercings, has anyone seem the disturbing trend online which may or may not be Photoshopped where people are piercing the sides of their faces and expanding the holes so that you can see their teeth? It's truly revolting and frankly, seems dangerous--you're just asking for an infection.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Pam, I just came across your page and the "class" part is spot on. I work in an elementary school and always dress professionally even though my title is not a high one at this point. It is a question of class. I can go to the thrift shop and put together a nice outfit for $10 so when my coworkers, who show up in jeans/leggings say they can't afford to look nice that's unacceptable to me. Maybe don't spend $5 on starbucks and $15 on a pack of cigarettes and instead go to Target or Kohls and look through the clearance racks and I bet you anything they could find something affordable. Thank you so much for this article. I thought I was the last one out there who missed the "Carey Grant" look or the beauty of Grace Kelly and I'm in my 30's! I am striving to dress better every season.

      Delete
    2. Hi Anonymous, welcome and thank you for your comments! Indeed, there is a consignment store in my town that carries some really cute items, most of them designer labels, for really reasonable prices. Also, you can't go wrong with Macy's -- I get coupons from them all of the time that are often good on top of sale prices. Good for you for making the effort to look nice!

      Delete
    3. You are exactly right. They may claim no money,but even thrift stores,have nice clothing. And guess what...I can afford my groceries,too. And no,I am not by any means rich or well off. Too many people now days,either dress like slobs or sluts&I find it apalling,personally. There really is no excuse for it,except that people are'nt taught to dress better by parents or media. Plus,laziness&lack of class,does indeed play a role in it. One does'nt have to 'dress up' per se,but they can certainly try to dress decently/nice. You know,like they actually give a damn about themselves.

      Delete
    4. I have been noticing this problem for years. The celebrities don't help any. I volunteer at a thrift store. When shredded jeans started coming in I wouldn't put them out in the store. We get very nice clothes. I have a problem with womens cloths as they don't fit very well. I wear mens jeans and button up shirts. But I am neat. I see so much women whos breast are ready to fall out and leggings to tight. People don't have any pride anymore.

      Delete
  17. Bobby TrosclairMay 04, 2014 11:10 AM

    That trend sounds like the "Jonah Hex" or "Two-Face" look - why make yourself look like a comic book character?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Very nice post! I get "dressed up" to go out. I usually put on a day dress and heels to go to school and get looks from people in their pajamas, it's very strange. I think dressing is a lot of fun and it's sad that more people don't see the fun in it.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wow! That really got 'em going. What you say is true, and as a New Zealander living in the UK, my impression is that the British are more careful about what they wear and many of my compatriots have slid down the same mucky hole as some Americans. On a recent visit to LA calling into a Walmart was depressing. What is notable in both countries is that the standard goes up with the average income of the shoppers.

    Ties I can live without, but there are plenty to be had in UK shops, and if anything they seem to be having a revival especially with younger men. My occupation means suits much of the time, or if I'm lucky very samrt casual. Most blokes manage to scrub up well, but, man, do some women take liberties.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Personally,I fail to see how any of these teens expect to be taken seriously in the real world,when they dress like dumpster divers,street walkers,and wannabe gang bangers,and are covered with tattoos,body piercings,and other mutilations.News flash child,nobody wants to see your underwear,or your scrawny (or giant) backside. Respect has to be earned,it's not an entitlement.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I've gotten rather tired seeing ordinary people out in public places looking as though they were either refugees, or inhabitants of homeless encampments. Even though America is still in an economic depression (yes, it really is!), I think it repulsive when I see big ugly people wearing their "jammies" to the store, or sagging their grungy pants as if they flaunt being a lowlife. If there is any question that the masses of "God's Country" have been dumbed down to idiocy, then one only need look, if you are able to, at the hideous way most people are "dressing." EGADS!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very well said&very true. Dumbed down&looking like dumpster divers or whores. Zero class. It really is a shame. \: I guess they forgot,or were never even taught,that pajamas,are for sleeping in,not shopping in...

      Delete
  22. Very true article, the men today dress like they just rolled out of bed.
    The typical male attire is a wrinkled up T-shirt, baggy shorts, no socks and flip flops; pathetic!

    Truthfully, is it asking too much to wear a clean pair of jeans, a dress shirt and shoes with style?
    Also make sure to button-up the tunic, wearing a dress shirt with the top unbuttoned is a no-no.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It seems sadly apparent that the average "american male" has been bereft of a culture in which fathers would show their sons how to at least form a necktie. Now I see twenty somethings who, when trying to wear semi-formal or business attire, are doing so in the wrong way, such as leaving the shirt untucked, or wearing sneakers with a suit, etc. I really long for a return to the days when men looked somewhat respectable even when wearing what was once considered to be casual clothing. Of course, anything seems to go nowadays, but it still perturbs me when I see it. Not to mention, all the unsightly tattoos that these idiots are defacing their bodies with.

      Delete
  23. Everything looks like rags now, cheaply made with the least amount of fabric and no linings. what happened to nice variety of long and short woolen coats? Now in winter everyone looks the same with the same over the knee length cheap looking mass production made coats and jackets. Women should never wear leggings - if only they can see how awful they look in it, or maybe they know but it is what the stores want you to buy so they all buy the same crap. and not to mention the tight down to the ankles pants, men and women look so stupid in them. Who designed such crap is beyond me. This look ruins some nice designer made pants and you can't even sit properly in them without feeling tightness around your knees. This is dangerous for blood circulation. All the blouses are super long that I can't find a decent blouse to go with skirts. And what happened to nice big collars?
    I blame the education system where they let their teachers come to work in casual sloppy clothing and I also blame the retail business and wholesale manufacturers. I am sure there is some blame to be put on the top fashion designers who dictate what should be in fashion but come on, bring back real clothing.

    All this from Canada, I might add.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unless you have a personal tailor, probably at least 99% of clothing sold in what was once middle class retail stores is cheaply mass produced in some chinese sweat factory. It lacks style and substance; it is likely priced at ten times more than what it cost to make; and is generally indicative of a society of consumners that is hard-up financially. I feel nostalgia now for the days when I worked in a chain retail store--only twelve years ago! Even then there were much better choices and styles in menswear and home furnishings, etc. The same store today has nothing to speak of anymore, which is a pity. And the new generation of students don't know any better either, because they were born into a digitalized society that places no emphasis on personality and style, since one is supposed to be a vapid automaton. I hope this reply helps.

      Delete
  24. Hi Pam! I believe it started somewhere in the 1990s...I remember a scene in the movie "Clueless" where Alicia Silverstone's character Cher mentions how boys dress "nowadays": "So, okay. I don't wanna be a traitor to my generation and all, but I don't get how guys dress today. I mean, c'mon, it looks like they just fell out of bed and put on some baggy pants, and take their greasy hair—ew!—and cover it up with a backwards cap and, like, we're expected to swoon? I don't think so!" (1995).

    ReplyDelete
  25. Help! I am a male in my early thirties who has, or at least once had, a penchant for "dressing up", before the economy crashed. I don't really like the modern styling and choices of men's suits, since they are almost made only for those who look like some kind of GQ model with a perfect body. I prefer the traditional look. Yet, I am finding it increasingly difficult to find what I want these days at an un-exorbitant price, as many retailers seem to have opted for cheap ass materials and poor styling, etc. Even when I search the internet for garments made from real wool with classic patterns, I am more and more at a loss to find what I want. If anyone ever invents a time machine, take me with you back to the past to where what once counted as good taste was not some rarity as it is now! Besides, at least in the town where I unfortunately dwell (It really sucks living here) I would probably experience cognitive dissonance should I "dress up", as a lot of persons have now adopted the "just got out of bed and am still in my jammies" look. Blah! What a shame that no one seems to give much consideration to their personal adornment anymore. I wish the times would change back to at least twelve years ago, before the advent of the Facebook and Twitter generation of dishevelment and disillusionment. Sorry for the rant, Pam.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lose weight and you too can fit into nice suits. The same decomposing society that allows grown men to walk around in tattered clothing and prison tattoos permits them to be big, fat, disgusting pigs, and then calls the few who still notice how wrong this is "fat shamers".

      Delete
    2. Very good point. It's hard to look good in anything,if you look like a beached whale,both men&women. Part of looking like you care about yourself,is taking care of both how you dress AND how you take care of the only body you have. And I think these big fat slobs SHOULD be shamed. People used to take decent care of both dress&their bodies,years ago. Now we have fat slobs&sluts,who enjoy(or at least don't mind)making the list,on 'people of walmart',even if they are'nt IN walmart. Too much soft-pedaling stuff/PC ,these days,is another part of the decline in class,IMHO. Talk about a decline in class,decency&values...ugh.

      Delete
  26. Let's not pass over the fat women slobs out there. It isn't just all about the men who look bad. I think it ridiculous when I see a woman who has an oversized derrier that she feels she can stuff into a pair of tight jeans. Or how about Kim "Kar trashian" and her implanted, hippopotamus-sized ass? Disgusting. This is what "American culture" has given to today's world, and people eat it up like candy because they want to be like these people. Yuck.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with you, Anonymous. Years ago I wrote a post called "Why Are So Many Of Us So Fat?" I tried to be polite about it without "fat shaming." Yet...I'm at a loss when I see so many obese people in public and I've noticed there's a LOT more obese women than obese men, it seems. And no, not all of them have a thyroid issue or medication causing it...it's what they're choosing to eat. Just look at how trim the general American public was in the 20th century.

      Delete
    2. All part of the" I don't care"mentally

      Delete
    3. I completely agree. Watching old movies everyone is dressed nicely. No tattoos, body piercings, extreme plastic surgeries etc. Today's fashion is a horror show and getting worse. Spandaxs, pajamas and oversized t-shirts rule because they can adjust to America's growing waistline due to a sedentary lifestyle dictated by online activity. I remember when children used to play in our streets. Sadly, this has become a rarity due to television and computer games. Result, even our children are getting obese. I grew up in the former western part of Germany in the 60', and no one wore sloppy clothes. Unfortunately, today, Europe is following our footsteps to include fast foods. Fast foods did not exist when I was growing up. We had home cooked meals and once a month we would all go out to eat. It was always very special because it usually included a day trip.
      As a naturopathic doctor, I am shocked when I look into some people's shopping carts. Not a single vegetable or fruit but tons of soda, prepared foods, unhealthy snacks etc. Not to mention alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. The body can only take so much abuse before it shuts down.

      Delete
    4. All because of american globalization and corporations like Wal-Mart who want to colonize the moon!

      Delete
  27. Hi Pam, I've commented on this site before, and I thought I would give you an update as to how the thoughtless, ignorant masses are "behaving" in service restaurants these days.
    I recently went out to dine a "chain Italian" restaurant that shall be nameless, but is one that is very popular and is nationwide. For a clue, its name ends in "Garden." I saw no fewer than four men who were seated at tables or booths with grungy ballcaps firmly on their heads. One pair belonged to a father and son schlub team; in fact the dad even had his sunglasses on the top of the ballcap, which was camouflage, while junior was wearing his typically backwards. Said restaurant now has little, brightly lit computer monitors obtrusively placed on every table. I immediately asked the waitress to remove it from my table when we were being seated. Looking around the restaurant I noticed one woman who was at table with a Bluetooth in her ear. People were fiddling with phones, and are mostly unable to even put the damn things away for a half hour meal. At the end of our meal, the waitress brought back the little computer monitor to my table. This is how one is supposed to pay, by using a machine instead of having the waitress give the bill and then give them money or a card. Then you use your finger to sign the screen! I can't believe that this is where being a diner in a service restaurant has come to.
    So I'm thinking that now even dining out has been monopolized completely by technology. It has really become pervasive, and I won't go back to eat at a restaurant that operates this way. People seem to have no thought about etiquette anymore, and go out as they are and think nothing of it. This is a nation of slobs, all right, and brainless, too. And it's only getting worse, I'm sad to say, while "technology" is displacing manners and common sense.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I said on here a few months back in another post that every day we're another day closer to the depressing world depicted in "WALL-E" where humans are so obese they are immobile and they suck their nutrition from cups all day while glued to computer screens. Sadly we seem to be moving right along into that direction. And I've heard of the tabletop ordering systems at other chain restaurants. It's sad -- seems like there's a plan for these businesses to separate us from other humans and save some money in the process.

      Delete
    2. Very true&very depressing. Too much technology&laziness&not enough class,common sense,or values,anymore. I really want a time machine,so I can go back to something better...because yes,things ARE getting worse. \:

      Delete
  28. Yes Pam, I think you are completely right when you say that these businesses are trying to save a dime at the expense of customer service and shave their labor costs. I'm pretty sure that the wait staff probably doesn't like the idea of shortcutting the traditional process, because it could lose them tip money, which is what they are really relying on, since they don't get a high hourly wage.
    I'm sure you've noticed how customer service is non-existent these days in just about every field? One goes to the grocery store and can use the self-checkout lane, yet human labor is still needed to oversee that we can, ironically, do it ourselves and not cheat or steal while doing so. But the mentality of the store bigwigs is that they can use one person to oversee four computerized terminals instead of hiring four additional people. Shame on them!
    I go to my local library; instead of handing my items to a waiting librarian to check them out for me, as I once used to do, I am now made to do it myself. Yet, there's a librarian still waiting at the checkout counter to assist you to "do it yourself" and unlock dvd cases. The whole process seems counter-intuitive to me, and why do they feel too important now to complete the process for you?
    I went to a department store and wandered around browsing in the clothing section. The one store "associate" who was there never greeted me, and looked at me as though I was in her way, while she was more interested in pretending that she had to tidy up. Needless to say I won't give money to that store in future. The examples go on and on, but it is coming to the point where interactions with other people, even as a customer, are lowering to a nadir. And the folly of it all is that in the longrun these cheapskate tactics don't save the business money, but actually lose them customers like me, who'll want to shop at a place where we feel our business is appreciated. One would think this common sense, but evidently it's a mystery to those at the management level. However, I've read the book "The Peter Principle," and although it was published about fifty years ago, the same practices it satirized are still being committed by the ignorant to this very day.

    ReplyDelete
  29. So what's up with the overly-shaggy haired and bearded look in which famous men appear these days? Even the so-called heart throb actors appear to be in need of a long hot shower and the services of an expert barber. Why has it become fashionable to actually want to look like a bum even when you've got plenty of moola to your name? Maybe they feel emasculated by a gender-blurred society and have retreated to cave man esthetics. I find it off putting and want to tell these Hollywood and U.K. guys to spruce up and look like a successfully civilized person, not a digital age Neanderthal Man. Just because they're known to millions of adorers still doesn't impress me with their grunge appeal, and doesn't enhance any fantasy about wanting to be in bed with them. The cleaner cut look will always be timeless as far as I believe.

    P.S. And if you haven't picked up on it, I am a male myself who holds these "old-fashioned" opinions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am a woman&I too,hate that disgusting,hairy homeless bum,ungroomed look. But it's not just the men,who pay to look trashy,now days. Sadly,so many women also do it too. It's quite repulsive.

      Delete
    2. Absolutely

      Delete
  30. It is such complete bullshit to try to blame the way that people dress on a lack of money. For my entire life, I have dressed well and spent very little money. I see the latest Issue of GQ with the newest sportcoats from top designers and buy an identical one for pennies on the dollar. Sores like HM and Zara have the nicest clothing for the same price you would pay for what you usually buy. Burlington Coat Factory, Filene's Basement, and Marshall's all have designers clothes marked down to ridiculous prices. So if someone looks like a slob, it's completely their fault. As a professional designer, I realize that at least 90% of people wouldn't know what looks good, and they need to be shown.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi Pam:
    Your blog has really got me going about how indecently people are appearing in public these days. I have written a few comments here about it, and I fear that I am starting to sound like a broken record. I apologize, but let me tell you about the latest I observed which was beyond the pale.
    First, for a clue, I live in a town which is called "The Biggest Little City in the World," and which the comedienne Amy Schumer referred to as a "Dump." She's right, by the way.
    I went to my local grocery store which is now in a somewhat run-down shopping center in what used to be a better area of the "Dump." I came out to the parking lot after buying groceries, and a big white new SUV slowly backs into a space. Out gets a latino woman and her man, who is wearing basketball shorts, a t-shirt and is covered in tattoos. They have two children with them. But get this: the woman was only wearing skimpy men's boxer shorts under her shirt. I almost couldn't believe what I was seeing! She walks with her "family" into the store. I thought this was so disgusting that I called the store and told them to look out for this person who went in. The store thanked me for reporting this and said they would take care of the problem.
    It's really gotten ugly out there, I am sorry to say, when I feel compelled to report these public obscenities now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No surprise with the trash pouring in across the southern border.

      Delete
    2. I don't agree with that. We have our own native "trash" to contend with, not poor dispossessed immigrants. Do yourself a favor and just don't vote in 2024 because I know what kind of pig you'll waste your vote on (hint: he wears a diaper and is a traitor to the U.S.) Re: Jan. 6. 2021

      Delete
  32. Hey Pam, I'm not American, i'm a young male living in Brisbane Australia but we've picked up the super casual slobby dress here too especially in my generation.
    I'll usually wear jeans/shorts/chinos with a plain well fitting T-shirt or polo and a nice pair of shoes for casual wear.
    Even wearing this which i don't think is overly flashy I stand out like a sore thumb in a decent size city amongst my age group and older ages. I've copped a few comments about trying too hard and things like that which i just let wash over my head. God forbid if i choose to wear a nice casual dress shirt and even worse if i tuck it in which in my opinion looks great if its well fitted.

    I can't help but feel like other people seem to have no respect for their appearance particularly the young males here who regularly wear singlets with enormous arm holes, baggy graphic t-shirts, board shorts and walk around bear footed or in cheap crappy shoes. Not to mention the hoards of young males with scruffy beards and un-groomed facial hair.
    I get the feeling many have never heard of such a thing as a belt as well. I won't change but i definitely don't fit in appearance wise. To fit in you have to look like your from a homeless shelter over here.

    ReplyDelete
  33. americans dressing like slaves is by design. In the 90s, after all clothing manufacturing, even ordstroms, was move to china the powers that be recognised that the quality was not very good for fashionable clothes. So they started promoting the casual slob look in sitcoms, magazine, fashion shows and in the media. That way they could develop a sloppy style that could be made for very little money and sell clothes for a lot of money. Including torn stained levys. It made the manufactures rich and the rest if us look like slobs.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Well just look how horrible their parents are today that don't even know how to raise their children right anymore these days when years ago most parents back then knew how to raise their children right. Quite a different time today unfortunately and nothing at all like the good old days were.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I saw a guy I'm a red basketball jersey (sick a sickening garment that needs to stop being worn by non athletes) and lime green shorts. Who has lime green shorts? It's laziness and stupidity not money issue. I don't have a lot but I manage to look my best in any given situation. Going to the grocery store especially when I'm inundated with foul dress. Large women in ugly t-shirts with vulgar sayings, "my other friend is a slut too," political or just idiocy. Bra less too. Large breasts swinging to and fro makes for an ugly site from gals who are not attractive in any way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL. On that related note, I don't get anyone that wears shorts in the winter. Also, I've never understood the appeal of bulky hooded sweatshirts, particularly on women.

      Delete
    2. How about the trashy women who wear bra tops with ugly tattoos showing? As John Wayne said, "Life is hard enough but it's even harder when you're stupid." You can see what this means by tuning into Judge Judy and looking at how far down the tubes America has really gone in the last 20-30 years!

      Delete
    3. I posted about my distaste for tattoos on the Facebook page for this blog a couple of weeks ago, along with how I feel it's a serious sign of the lack of self love people have for themselves and their bodies (and also a denial of their natural beauty.) Or this pathetic need to stick out and get noticed, or join in because it's a fad and you want to belong. I had a couple of social justice warriors tell me that I was judgmental and that I had nothing better to do then complain. A few people also unfollowed the page. Apparently you're not allowed to have an opinion, especially if certain people disagree with it these days.

      There's a big difference between getting ONE meaningful tattoo and inking your body up from head to toe. It's no different than plastic surgery -- getting a bump smoothed out on your nose is one thing, but transforming yourself with multiple surgeries into a human Barbie (or Ken) doll is quite another. Quite frankly I think the latter is a sign of mental illness and that applies to going overboard with tattooing and putting them on very visible body parts like your face.

      Go Retro is about celebrating the retro, and that means appreciating what people used to look like before these over the top trends took hold. Could you imagine someone like Elizabeth Taylor or Cary Grant covered in tattoos? I personally don't find anything attractive about excessive tats and crazy colored hair on either men or women.

      Delete
    4. I couldn't agree with you more Pam. I think all the excessive tattooing which has apparently become "mainstream" is indicative of an ill society that is in a sad stage of deterioration. It is also reflective of a society that imitiates anything it sees its "celebrities" doing (on TV of course!). If Justin Bieber gets twenty tattoos on his body, then this must be okay and cool for the young and dumb kids to do. People don't think for themselves anymore. I couldn't imagine seeing Elizabeth Taylor or Cary Grant with even a small wrist or ankle tattoo, let alone being covered with the goddamn things like David Beckham (nice body, yet he's covered with these obscenities which detract from the appearance!). What's more, if I'm not mistaken, the mania for tattoos really accelerated starting around 11 years ago, when it was still uncommon to see the average person with "sleeves" and the like. Now looking as though one has been in prison for a while has become acceptable. Ye Gods!

      Delete
    5. That's what I don't understand. Why would you want to emulate a style that's notoriously associated with gangs and criminals? Aaron Hernandez, the ex-Patriot that was on trial for murdering two people (and who killed himself after being found guilty) was covered with them, including sporting random ones on his neck. Plus although they're rare, there are risks with getting tattoos such as contracting a skin infection. I also believe the idea of having a foreign substance such as ink -- which is often made in China -- could have side effects years from now. I never found David Beckham attractive and part of it definitely is the excessive tattooing. But yet people get offended if you voice your opinion about this. To me it's no different then saying you don't like a certain artist and their artwork. (I hate Picasso, for example.) Everyone has their own idea of what is esthetically pleasing and for me personally, tats don't fit my definition of beauty.

      Delete
    6. Pam it is interesting you said that "everyone has their own idea of what is esthetically pleasing." Ironically, I think that this is where most of today's confusion originates in the problems that are upon us now. People have cast off classical beauty and age old esthetics for what they think is the new thing, when it really is the old abnormal. I'm not saying that I think all men should be wearing gray flannel suits or that all women should be wearing Paris dresses like they did in the conformist 1950s. However, I continually wonder what the hell has happened to our country, with its sham "values" and its embrace of the ugly and hideous, whether it be in fashion, bodies, attitude, politics (don't get me started about Trump!) or just about anything. It appears to me, in my humble opinion, at least, that our society has given up apsiring and has accepted these debasements, and doesn't care about "keeping up appearances" at least for the sake of one's self respect. Then again, the rationale is: why should one much bother to wear a suit when most people will show up to the party looking like schlubs? It's a complete difference in attitude between what my grandfather would have considered appropriate or even halfway decent, as compared to the 20 year old pop culture twits who have infantilized the world with their inane behaviors and digital music.

      Delete
  36. I just don't understand why females dress like slobs. Clothes way to tight or to small. The fashion industry doesn't help by encouraging with the "rags" it comes out with. I will not wear the rags. Clean and neat is good. Pajamas belong in the bedroom not at the store.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just don't understand why some, if not many, lesbians choose to look obscene. Is it because they are trying to imitate little joke ass punks like Justin Bieber? Today I saw what had to be the world's ugliest lesbo walking into my local grocery store. Fat, tattooed, wearing sagging athletic shorts showing underwear. Well, I have absolutely nothing against same sex people, since I am one. But I can say this with a shudder: If I were a lesbian, I would not find this type of hideous look the least bit of a turnon. The PC Police will probably be after me for saying as much.

      Delete
  37. When I was in my late teens and early twenties, I worked at a nationally known clothing and home goods retailer. This was in the beginning of the 2000s. I was a sales associate in the men's and coats departments. Even though I didn't get paid a lot of money, the store's dress code policy then stated that the male sales staff were expected to at least wear a dress shirt and necktie with either khakis or dress slacks. I often went beyond this basic requirement and donned a sportcoat as well. This was some fifteen years ago. Nowadays, the same type of store lets the employees wear whatever they choose, with tattoos and/or piecings unhidden. And it has become harder to differentiate who works at these stores and who is really the customer. I have actually been mistaken on numerous occasions by other shoppers as an employee because I was dressed halfway decently. Whatever happened to company dress codes? Apparently, the youngest of the millenial generation will work for minimum wage and be exploited, but is happy so long as they get to express themselves by looking vulgar and unprofessional.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I went out today to go clothes shopping, hence being on this site now. But, after looking through the shops, I can offer one reason (among a few) for why people look so terrible--I went looking for dress slacks or chinos for work, and couldn't find one thing. Skinny jeans, skinny slacks, ankle slacks--teacher should not wear skinny slacks to work, but there wasn't anything else. As for ankle pants--what happens when winter hits? I'm moving to Korea, where my length doesn't exist; I can't just buy more pants. The dress pants that were available were of cheap fabric, studded with rhinestones, and had fake pockets. Casual pants with bleach spots and rips as fashion. Clothes have gotten cheaper, tackier, and minimal in variety.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Well don't just attack guys. I find that the males are dressed far better than the women today in my area (North East)I was just in Manhattan a few days ago. We went to a concert at the Beacon (unbelievably ornate) and most of the women, no makeup, bare legs, tattoos, ugly clothes, appalling! The guys were better but not by much, dress shirts, clean dress pants/kakis. What happened to the days when you had to go out "dressed appropriately"? The whole bare legged crap with tattoos, scars, birth marks razor cuts, and my ever favorite, that spray on orange crap they use running down their legs! And they complain about "suntan" stockings? Women look like hell aside from the FAT, poorly dressed, bad attitude, no makeup face, greasy hair, body odor, fifty earrings in their ears. Even in the court house, I asked my attorney (suit and tie as with most of the men) females working there with bare legs and tattoos that actually think they look good? Yeah great makes me want to ask them out! BTW I had a suit on as well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There appears to be no common sense of what is appropriate, compared with what is trashy and disrespectful. Sure, everybody thinks that because they live in the United States of Moronica, have tattoos, piercings or want to look as though they have been living in a homeless encampment (even if they really don't) that this is freedom of expression. Maybe so, but it also sums up the decadence and lack of self-respect and confusion of mores that our society is experiencing these sad days. If one wishes to appear in public at large with tattoos, and looking like the circus freaks of old (often worse) than that is indeed one's choice. However, the sad part is that we are now supposed to believe that such public obscenities are to be humored, or accept them for what they choose to be. Variety is the spice of life. But I can't help feeling that there are too many dirty ingredients in the melting pot now.

      Delete
    2. Obesity is a problem (latest report out said -- SURPRISE -- it's increased among American adults AGAIN) but if anyone says they are only physically attracted to someone their own size they get attacked. I did say in the post that both men and women are dressing terribly these days. As far as tattoos, I did write a post several years ago here about my distaste for them. It's one thing if you have ONE tattoo that is well done and has personal meaning to you; it's another when someone has an entire body part or their body inked over, often with various random designs that don't relate to one another. I'm just at a loss as to why someone thinks that looks good. Tattoos are also going to fade over time. The human body looks better, in my opinion, when unadorned.

      Delete
    3. I know, Pam. But you've got to realize that we live now in an age of post-1984 surrealism and computerized fascism. All of this appears to go hand in hand with the socio-economic problems that afflict our country, and, by extension of our misbegotten empire, the rest of the world.
      59 people were murdered in Las Vegas fairly recently by another deranged white male with no motive other than hatred. They have already been forgotten and more mass shootings will inevitably follow. Donald Trump, the shameless, pathological liar and huckster who thinks he has been put in office to do as he pleases, will continue to damn the consequences, damn the poor, damn the ramifications. People stare mindlessly at digital devices all day, then retire to their shanties to stare at the flat screen idiot box all night long, reinforcing big brother's aims at dumbing them down by mass infotainment. Even bums on the street have digital devices, as though to be without one is the ultimate comedown in our culture of automatons. I could go on and on, but I fear I have said much and don't wish to pontificate at the expense of your patience or your blog.
      Ray Bradbury had it right sixty years ago with his book Farenheit 451. So did Kurt Vonnegut and Gore Vidal, all whom I miss, with their varied works that satirized the foibles of We the People and the hideous and incompetent "leaders" we "elect."

      Delete
    4. I'm not sure what dressing down has to do with Trump or mass shootings. It's a trend that started a good 20 years ago, most notably when companies started casual Fridays and it kind of permeated society from there through the years. Technology and addiction to devices, maybe.

      Delete
  40. I've bitched about this topic many times. But now I'm starting to blame the so-called fashion gurus for the problem of people being so poorly and slovenly dressed and having no sense.
    In a society like ours where half of the people are either overweight or obese, it doesn't help for the fashion magazines to portray unrealistically thin models wearing the latest spaghetti thin garments. It also doesn't help that at least 95% of the clothing one finds at the local retail store is insipid and made in China out of synthetics that are cheap.
    I am male and am of the larger variety. It isn't realistic for me to try and don a suit that only an italian twink would be able to wear, even if I wanted to spend a bunch of money trying to do so. I go for the traditional, timeless look that has now become passe. And have you seen those hideous khaki-jogger pants that the younger millennials are wearing now? Quite absurd and totally devoid of fashion. These are kids who have no style whatsoever and were raised on a damn Iphone.
    People were dressed far better even in the Great Depression, which is telling, because style in the 30s didn't stop evolving due to hard times. I think now fashion has reached its lowest point in a great while. You go into public and see people who don't even try to get dressed after getting out of bed. I'm tired of it and wish that there would be a return to more conservative times when dressing to at least look presentable was the norm. Apparently there aren't even dress codes for businesses anymore, and anything goes. What a dreary culture.



    ReplyDelete
  41. A few months ago, my fiancee and I, had gone shopping. She wanted to buy a white pair of women's underwear, but we couldn't find any. All you could find was dotted bras, leopard patterns and colors like orange and green an purple, but notam something as classic as ordinary white. In every store we went into and when asked the sales associates if they have on stock white lingerie, we were dismissed as backwards thinking persons and that we don't have the taste to appreciate all these stange patterns they tried to sell to us... The same thing happened when I wanted to buy a white dress shirt, with mop buttons, but couldn't find any... What I want to say is, that even if you want to maintain a classic style for yourself, then you are most probably doomed because there is not the demand for classic clothes as it once used to be.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm finding it more difficult these slovenly days to find male attire that is with the classic look, and which doesn't look hideous. I notice that many retail stores are selling "dress pants" that are composed with all synthetics and no wool. Then there are the so-called mens suits, again, made from cheap, chinese polyester fiber with no wool. Maybe today's generation feels it has to buy garments that can be washed without being dry cleaned. There isn't much if any emphasis on style these days. People appear in public looking terrible and don't have much pride in their appearances anymore. I know that times change, but why can't the so-called fashion people come up with a trend that acknowledges real style and class? And to make my point, all one has to do is watch the Oscars and see how the celebrities turn up at the awards, with their goofy outfits, or with some men wearing SNEAKERS with their tuxedos. Give me a break. Anybody who wears sneakers with a tuxedo and is seen by millions of people ought to be laughed off the stage for being an ass.

      Delete
  42. Being 18, I'm part of the uncaring generation and I have to admit that for years I've been a slob. Now that I'm more mature, I want to completely revamp who I am and have a classic wardrobe with mostly dresses and skirts. Luckily, I don't have any tattoos - as I think they're hideous. Again, as being part of this generation ... I see it all. People at my age with several tacky tattoos, girls with half of their heads shaved, boys only wearing basketball shorts and baggy t-shirts. Where is the decency?

    I'll probably be "overdressed" in their eyes, but I intend on showing up to class in a nice dress and heels everyday with my hair neat in a braid. That way, the professors know who I am and that I'm serious. Showing up on time, looking nice, and sitting in the front attentive and off your phone ought to go a long way!

    Lastly, let's talk about body shapes. I'm an apple shape - I have no business wearing baggy t-shirts or too small pants. What looks best on me are a-line skirts and dresses, and flowy tunics.

    I think people need to realize that looking nice and decent does wonders for their self-esteem and their own civility.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good for you. You are growing up with your decision to look good. Style is a matter of knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not givng a damn (Gore Vidal). It is actually commendable for someone of your age and generation to be tattoo-free. I get turned off by the ugliness of tattoos and poorly and slovenly dressed people every time I go out. A person can always change his clothes, but he can't change ugly tattoos.

      Delete
    2. I am an apple shape and look for clothes that will look nice on me. I always have my make up on, hair done and no tattoos. So many people will say, "Who are you trying to impress? or "Why are you dressed up?" As if to shame me for caring what I look like. I don't get it. I know it is harder for my apple shape to look nice, but I do try so hard to look nice.

      Delete
    3. Good for you. Don't pay any credence to what the members of the Slob Army think about your wanting to look presentable and not obscene.

      Delete
  43. I can't tell you how happy I am to have found this site and this article on how sloppy people have become. A couple of days ago I said to my husband, am I being a snob or have people become really sloppy? He's on a couple of Board of Directors for various companies and museums and many times times has come home after a big meeting and said he was overdressed. He would wear dress pants, open neck shirt and sport's jacket and was overdressed compared to everyone else who were in baggy jeans, many torn or frayed, flip flops, shorts, very sloppy looking. I see it everywhere. Also, what's up with this new trend of people now wearing pajama pants out in public.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The "trend" of people wearing pajamas (usually bottoms) in public is not new. It's been going on now for years and does absolutely nothing to ensure the average American will get noticed for their sense of style and sophistication. I've read that on the whole, Europeans are far better dressed than Americans. If you want any confirmation as to how ugly things have gotten, aside from looking at who occupies the White House now, just go to the grocery store (Wal Mart) and see the modern day equivalent of a freak show in action. I can't understand why people look so debased now, but I suspect it arises from a lack of not just money, but also from a shared sense of sloppiness that society says is okay. It's also due to the usage of technology and exposure to the information sewer which is the internet. If people want to let their ugliness hang out in public, I suppose it's their choice. It's still ugly, however.

      Delete
  44. I wonder if schools shouldn't have courses in how to be respectable since there are increasing numbers of people in the U.S. that are complete slobs. So much more profanity, sloppy appearances, uncouth behavior, tattoos, piercings, "Dr. Seuss" hair styles, and people just being rude, crude, and socially unacceptable.

    While at this particular juncture of place and time in my life, I truly cannot afford good clothes, and the ones I do have need replacing. However, whenever I go out I at least bathe first and put on clean clothes. I do wear a hat (usually a "unit cap" from when I was in the Navy) when I'm outside, but as soon as I enter a building, it comes off and is promptly tucked under my arm. For the record, I was born in the 1950s. Now, I should add that I do have long hair (which I keep tied back when in public) and a longish beard (also kept neat and clean). I see a lot of people in stores that wear flip-flops (even in winter!), baggy shorts or PJ bottoms, their clothes are dirty/stained/ripped/tattered or otherwise inappropriate, look (or smell) like they hadn't bathed in a week, or have poured on a bottle of heavy, oily perfume that will gag anyone two blocks away downwind.

    When I still worked as an engineer and an I.T. (Information Technology) professional, I wore clothing appropriate for what I was doing, which was mostly a nice pair of Dockers pants, either a button down shirt or Lands End polo shirt, and for outside I wore an Australian outback hat (like a fedora, only with a slightly wider brim) if I wasn't required to wear a hardhat.

    I just don't get the whole "grunge" look. Every time I see some eejit wearing pants that are 10 sizes too big, waistband below their butt, flaunting their boxers to everyone--I want to give them a good paddling for being slobs and see them shamed by standing on a busy street corner wearing a big sign about being a slob in public (or something to that effect). I'd rather see a return of the old "zootsuits" than what I see people wear nowadays--or at least some of the 1960-1970 clothes.

    Just my 2^2/3 cents worth. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome to the slovenly 21st century of ill-dressed humanoids, Ronald. I'm of the generation called "Millenials," which is a label that I dislike, since it seems to imply that my generation is lost and stupid, or at least that's how I perceive it. Regardless, I can't stand the "let it all hang out no matter how ugly" ethos that has infected modern mankind. It has gotten so bad now that if a man wears an ordinary suit outside of a strictly professional business he will be conspicuous, and people will wonder if he's some snob or is rich and showing off. Or if a lady wears attire that isn't masculine based, why, she is an oddity and the feminists will be on her for looking as women should (don't tell the PC police on me!)
      Where do women and girls get off thinking that if they're 50 pounds overweight, that squeezing dumpy bodies into hideous yoga pants is not obscene? Ot these stupid punks that sag their britches and display underwear? Throw them in jail for indecent exposure already! It's a society of disrespect through obnoxious clothing choices, ignorance, and a "screw you I'll be as offensive as I want attitude." I love watching movies from the 30s to the 50s, wherein the majority were dressed to the nines and would never have even gone to bed, much less into public, looking remotely like the Wal-Martians of our time, unless they wanted to be sent to happy acres for degenerate behavior. Am I saying that our society needs to return to the way it was 60 years ago? No, not really. It would be an impossibility of manpower and mental power. China would probably invade us if we cut them off and started manufacturing real clothing of our own again, like we once did. People nowadays don't appreciate quality and style. All they want is the convenience of distracting digital pacifiers, so they can be controlled by Big Brother while their empire falls apart.

      Delete
  45. Tell this to the same idiots who make stupid faces on snapchat or like to bullshit there lives on Instagram. Tell this to the same people who walk down the street with iPhone in one hand and Starbucks in the other. The screens are getting thinner and the people are getting bigger. I am sick and tired of this anything goes mentality. Even attending church now seems more like a circus than actually being in church. In a developed society like ours, you would think people would have better common sense than this. I sometimes feel like we are heading the wrong way and have thrown all common sense out the window. I personally feel like the 50s and 60s had the best balance between formal and casual fashion. Casual fashion was just starting to become socially acceptable but not allowed obscenities in public. Their were still social taboos on what people couldn't wear in public. I know that their were people like this in the 50s and 60s but it was kept hidden from mainstream America and I know, smoking is not attractive but it was a product of the time period (people didn't know any better). I have a challenge for people who read this. Look at old Kodachrome photos from the 60s or look at old film videos from Disneyland in the 60s on YouTube. Not many slobs, are there? Better yet, look at photos of bands like the Who, moody blues, the small faces, and the Beatles in the mid 60s during the height of the mod movement. Classy, wouldn't you say? Like someone commented above, its sad that you would be looked at funny for wearing a suit with a fedora because you like to look nice. They assume you are an old fart stuck in the past and tell you to get hip with the times. They would judge you because you are not a mindless sheep buying the latest leggings at Victoria's secret or not dressing like a hipster. It's absolutely ridiculous. Trust me, during the summer, it doesn't get much better. Fatties with tank tops and unnecessarily huge tattoos. Am I shopping at the grocery store or in the hood? Sometimes, it's hard to tell the difference. When did American youth culture stop being cool and interesting? I doubt people will look back fondly at this decade with how much garbage is being pushed into our kids and teens now. I'm not trying to say the 50s and 60s were perfect but at least they had interesting subcultures. Speaking of America, what ever happened to clothes being manufactured in America? When I go to the store now and look at the tags on the clothes, all I see is a lot of made in china but not enough of made in America. What the hell happened? This is a lot like what happened to the car industry in America during the 70s. We were being robbed from the Japanese. America definitely needs a renaissance not just in fashion but in general. It's sad that people find flipping through Instagram more important than there own appearance. I really hope this trend does not continue into the 2020s. Am I saying we need to go back to dressing like they did in the 1920s. No, but I would except that people would dress in jeans with the shirt tucked in with a belt and nice dress shoes, is that so much to ask for? Unless you are living in poverty, their should be no reason why people should be dressing like dull slobs with no sense of style. Also, I realize that appearance isn't everything and that personality has to be accounted for when recognizing nice people. Both appearance and personality should be accounted for to make a nice person. I'm just thankful that their are still a few clothing companies out their who still know how to make nice clothes for people. (Polo ralph Lauren being one of them). I'm optimistic for the 2020s to see if we will see a fashion renaissance. but also afraid because we might continue some of the trends from this decade into the 2020s. I know this was kind of long but I wanted to get some of thoughts out their on the whole americans dressing like slobs issue.

    ReplyDelete
  46. I've noticed that Pam hasn't had the need to update this posting in the last five years. Sadly, it's probably because things haven't gotten any better, but have instead become worse.
    Can we judge an entire country by its clothing choices? Can we assume that the USA is a decadent nation that has given up trying to maintain what was once considered a decent standard in clothing and fashion representation? I think it can be said that never before was a population of citizens in supposedly the world's most prosperous country so hideously attired. The Wal-Mart slob ethic is pervasive everywhere (people of wal-Mart!) Big fat stomachs and oversized rumps exposed; tattoing mania; ignorance and imbecility; a lowest common denominator slacker attitude; no common sense.
    Someone asked here "What the hell happened?" Well, it seems that while the masses are eager and salivating to spend $1,000 on the newest Iphone, they are reluctant to clothe themselves properly, or don't care or know how! Is this what America has given as an example to the rest of the world? We're supposed to be policing the earth and waving chinese made flags, and inducing foreigners with our "standard of living", and yet we cannot even look respectable to ourselves. What a moronic joke. People should pay attention to keeping up appearances instead of rotting their minds with the unsrestricted use of technology. It doesn't cost hundreds or thouands of dollars to wear clothing that doesn't look as though it functions for bedtime wear. It doesn't take much money to wear actual pants in public, instead of sweats and basketball shorts. Will the digital natives ever learn, or is this their way of expressing themselves differently than their sloppy parents, i.e. to look even worse? Stop wearing shorts and T shirts in freezing weather, too. You're only displaying that you're a dumb ass who thinks he is invulnerable to getting pneumonia. Women need to start wearing appropriate clothing as well. Yoga pants in public outside the gym are out. In fact, change your goddamn gym clothing BEFORE you LEAVE there. You are public uglies and should be banned from going outdoors.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Loving the comments. I'm actually taking a little break from blogging but am already getting inspired to resume posting soon.

      Delete
  47. Thoroughly enjoyed reading the article and all the comments! I happen to live in “la la land,” and another pseudonym for this city could accurately be “slobville.” Soooo sick of the endless uniform of tennis shoes and hoodies and joggers. So I definitely see some of the worst here, although I do try to stay out of Walmart if at all possible.
    My theory about the dress culture getting out of hand is due to the influence of music culture. In the ‘90’s you had the start of the grunge rockers and the leftover crazy look of ‘80’s punks, then you got into the whole gangster look from rap and hip hop. Being cool and counterculture meant dressing like a local thug. It somehow morphed into torn clothing looking edgey, even on white bread middle class people. It also comes from a defiant attitude of “I will be comfortable at all times no matter what, and f-you if you don’t like it. I don’t have to dress up to please you. I please myself.” There’s the utter selfishness of it.
    My husband and i go out to expensive music performances, some of them classical, and I see older people dressed just as heinously, though. It’s not just younger people. You know, wearing tennis shoes and stretch elastic pants with old shirts that look like they were off the rack from the ‘80’s. I have made a vow: I don’t care how old and arthritic I become (and I already do have a very damaged, arthritic knee) I will not dress like a frumpy old mess to go out to a theater. There are comfortable dress shoes! You don’t have to wear athletic shoes everywhere! Thank God I always had a job that required me to dress at the minimum nice business casual, no jeans, and I had to learn how to dress. Even though I’m retired, I still love to dress up and follow fashion. Sadly, there’s so few places now where you won’t be seen as ridiculously overdressed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. La La Land indeed. Did you see the recent Academy Awards in HOLLYWEIRD and notice the absurd outfits that the male celebs were sporting, as though they weren't supposed to be ashamed? Ridiculous! Whatever happened to wearing an appropriate tuxedo to formal events? Red velvet suits with white shoes, "Aquaman" in a light pink suit. Spike Lee in a purple outfit and some presenter in a woman styled suit. Are these so-called famous people for real, or are they competing for the outlandish awards?

      Delete
  48. It's spring time again, and now the slobs are out en masse wearing ugly shorts, displaying their ugly, dumpy bodies and trashy tattoos. Ah, America in the Spring! We must be the worst dressed country in the world. Yet, I trust that Pam is continuing to keep up appearances, and hasn't succumbed to the low mindset of looking like them?

    ReplyDelete
  49. I think it's so sad how sloppy Americans have become, even when they dress casually. I'm an American professor in Kurdistan and even here, people when they dress casually look put-together and not unclean. Their posture is better, too. I told my Kurdish husband how I once knew a French professor in her late 60s in DC who always dressed very neatly - casual chic. She wore a beautiful scarf or turtleneck sweater along with her blue jeans. Very neat and put together. I don't understand why people make excuses to not dress nicely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sad isn't it? I was out shopping this past week and I was horrified to see so many women look like they just got out of bed. Dressing up is a lost art and it's rare to men put together, (even rarer for women). One cannot help but wonder where are morals and standards are heading to and it's quite sad to see America this "dumbed down".

      Delete
  50. It's all being done by design on purpose and it's happening with everything not just the way people are dressed, not just with them being extremely fat, and not just with them having tattoos all over their bodies, it's happening in every single solitary possible way it could happen within the USA. The USA is being taken down on purpose.....you really don't want to know what happens next.....David

    ReplyDelete
  51. Well, its not a political thing so our President has nothing to do with this plague of garbage dressers....liberals are usually the biggest offenders, but hey....
    Its not just young people. I work in a hospital and every morning, the filth that comes in is strangely the same; middle aged or older couples deessed in old nasty t-shirts with some ugly meaningless logo, sweatpants for the gals, dirty jeans and tennis shoes for both... and nearly all smell like ash trays. Unless they are a Doctor, all are dressed like trash.
    This has zero to do with being poor. It has to do with self respect. No one seems interested in it anymore. There was a young couple with a young child that i encountered in the elevator. The smell was horrendous- parmesan cheese- him and her clad in ragged, ugly clothes, playing on their iphones. Dressing bad is one thing but smelling like a dirty dogs bed.... no excuse.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Im a single man of 47. Always on the look out for a nice looking gal... I cant recall the last time I saw a nicely dressed female in public.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Enough with the ugly tattoos! They never look good. Everyone has one, they arent cool anymore. All will look ridiculous at 70 when everything is sagging and wrinkled. Dumb asses.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Little Brown BearNovember 10, 2019 7:28 AM

    I found this by accident and wanted to contribute too. I’m in my twenties, female, and a student. I have a busy life and chronic pain. I usually end up wearing jeans, t-shirts, leggings, sandals, sneakers, and boots because they’re the most practical and comfortable for me. In the winter I wear simple jackets or coats. I also own a lot of dressier clothing, which I wear when I can. I love dark colors, and you could say my style is dark as well. Regardless, my clothing fits me as it should and is clean. I dress in accordance with the weather and make sure I’m properly covered. I don’t wear clothing that's torn up in any way. Even when I don’t wear makeup or style my hair, I see to it that I am clean and presentable. Basic common sense, and yes, it seems like most people dress without it now.

    Almost every time I go out anymore, I see countless men who look like they reached for the first t-shirt and jeans they found on the floor, then chose whichever pair of tennis shoes stank the least. The women often aren’t dressed much better; they tend to wear clothes that are either too baggy or much too small for them. No one has any problem showing their underwear or lack thereof. It’s okay to be heavy now, even if that weight gain resulted from a bad diet. It’s the norm to display how overweight you are and the tattoos you’re covered in. When I do see someone dressed nicely, they’ve usually added some touch that’s supposed to be quirky and cool but is actually unflattering or just looks stupid. Like the sneakers with suits, oddly cut blouses, weird prints, or huge, cheap-looking plastic glasses. I also really dislike the straggly hair and scruffy, untrimmed beard look that so many men wear now... to me it just looks sloppy and gross, as if even basic grooming doesn’t matter to them. It isn’t limited to certain age groups anymore, either. It gets so old, and it's just another reason why my opinion of society is beginning to drop.

    I’m all for individuality and self-expression, and I’m not suggesting that everyone needs to dress to impress when they leave the house. Not everyone is or can be a size two. Being able to dress a certain way because you have a physical or dirty job is real, and we all have days where we just can’t or don’t care. But if you want to be taken seriously, it pays to carry yourself with some class, and that includes attire. Appearance is the first thing we all notice, and many people still do use that when making judgments about each other. If you always look slovenly, dirty, homeless, trashy, or otherwise tacky, chances are they’ll assume that you actually are those things and treat you accordingly. It doesn’t mean you have to be wealthy or thin. More often than not, you can find nice clothing in thrift stores. Learning to dress tastefully is something anyone can do no matter their size, and once you’ve got it down, it’s not difficult. A good appearance doesn’t just earn you respect, it’s a way of respecting yourself and boosting your confidence, which is something lots of people would benefit from. I wish more of us could understand that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I live in a country where the majority is blond and has groomed sleek hair. Lately we are getting our influx of migrants looking for a better life or international students, just so you understand it is different from the american 'melting pot'. This 'razor ramon' looking person I saw today had hair that was so greasy it wouldn't be unthinkable to extract a pitcher of olive oil from his scalp. That wouldn't be so bad, if this bloke didn't think long hair was his style. That still wouldn't be so bad if he had hair genes like ours,, but it was the kinda frizzy poofy hair type that didn't look like it has been brushed in the past five years. Of course this guy has no idea what razor blades are for, and I could go on, but it always amazes me that these ungroomed individuals can find girlfriends in their home countries. So what are these women's standards over there?? Imagine sharing a bed with this fella and his hair at night resting on a pillow case as I saw it. These people are coming to European nations with their low personal care and try to make it a standard here and that the local people eventually walk around with scruffy, straggly faces too.

      Delete
  55. I love watching old movies and tv shows pre 1965 and see all the well-dressed people. Especially if its in an office building in New York city we see all the people going to and from and dressed perfectly.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Dear American men-boys:
    I know that you mostly don't have a clue, since you have been raised in a culture of dumb ass narcissism lacking restraint. Whatever happened to taking off one's hat when sitting at a restaurant table that is being waited on? Take off the f#$%^&*g ballcaps, for chrissakes! Every damn time I go to a restaurant, there are numerous bozos who sit there with their idiotic caps on their hollow heads. It doesn't seem to matter how expensive the place is, either. This has, like evey other stupid thing, become endemic to so-called American culture, and it's really annoying to me. I wear classic hats but I'd never leave one on my head at at table, though I would look much better than the morons with ballcaps if I did.

    ReplyDelete
  57. I'm 69 and think some people who dress like slobs have mental health issues. Others are just plain lazy. It would be nice if the rest of us could comment on their attire but they still wouldn't care or sue for slander. The slobs should look in the mirror to see what they look like. But then they still wouldn't care. Fat people as well as very thin should not wear what they call leggings.These are tights not pants. Every roll shows the fat. Who are they trying to impress if anyone?

    ReplyDelete
  58. Here in the U.K., unless I'm at work (I'm a military consultant), then you wouldn't catch me dead looking like most US citizens. I noticed how scruffy everyone was when I was over there. Unfortunately it wasn't the first time I noticed it. I am a former French Foreign Legionnaire, born in Norway to Norse parents, but moved to the UK after serving 15 years as a legionnaire, and noticed that the poor self admin was apparent, not only in US civilians, but also its military while I was serving in Afghanistan.
    I had to lead a patrol of mixed Legionnaires, British Royal Marine Commandos and US Marines, and after a heavy contact which took place on ops, I had the men in extended line cleaning their weapons - an essential task to keep your weapon operating efficiently. My men and even the men of the Royal Marines had everything from gas piston to bolt assembly immaculate and lightly oiled within 15 minutes. I ran a quick inspection over the M4s our US colleagues were using and was gobsmacked - residue and sand everywhere. This explained all the jamming issues and stoppages they continually experienced during the contact we were engaged in.
    I refused to have them on my ops after that incident. Sloppiness in civilian life is one thing, sloppiness on the battlefield gets you and your fellow troops killed.

    But, I digress, it pains me that young people today dress as though they've swept their clothes up off of the floor. Here in Europe, if a man is wearing jeans and trainers (sneakers for my US friends) and a t shirt, they won't be baggy, sloppy looking items. They will be fitted, and look smart-casual. Giorgio Armani designer fitted jeans, a fitted Stone Island, Dolce & Gabbana or other designer Italian t shirt, smart trainers such as Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana or even Adidas Gazelles. Contrast this to what we are used to seeing in the US now - baggy jeans with the croth around their knees, t shirts that look about 2 or 3 sizes too large and ugly trainers that look like they were made for walking in space. Shudder.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Great article, Pam!

    I'm 62, Navy vet, retired engineer (Computer/Electrical), have been in the IT field for 30 years, and I'm a writer and artist. I remember as a kid we dressed up to go out, even if it was to an A&W. It's rather timely that I found your article because I had commented on a post in Facebook about the same thing. I mentioned that "in order to be respected, one must first be respectable", and the younger person disagreed and eventually said that she thinks people should wear whatever they feel comfortable in. I live in Fairbanks, Alaska...it's just now starting to get temperatures above +40 F (this is 15 April 2022), so people are starting to wear shorts again (when you've had temperatures in the -30s F or lower for a while, anything above 0 F actually feels warm). Yesterday, after I had come out of the Fred Meyers East store, I saw an idiot young adult male wearing a toddler-like once-piece pajamas with cartoon characters on them, heading towards the entrance. The woman he was with had on shorts, tank-top, an un-zipped hooded sweat jacket and tenni-runners. Sadly, she was better dressed than the guy (she was overweight and he was a bean-pole). The kids were better dressed than the two "adults".

    The worst I've seen was at a grocery store in Moberly, Missouri a few years ago -- a young woman and her 8-10 year-old son were both wearing matching white terrycloth bathrobes and flip-flops. Everyone at the checkouts stopped and stared at them as they walked into the store. At least they were clean.

    When I was still working, I would at least wear a pair of Dockers pants, a button-down shirt, and tie most days, though sometimes I'd wear a nice polo shirt with my company logo on it -- tucked in. Now, if I was on-site somewhere and pulling data cables or working on equipment, I would wear a pair of jeans and work boots and a decent shirt.

    Today, I still go out in public wearing decent-looking clothes. A pair of nice Wrangler jeans (no holes, slashes, not faded or thread-bare), a pair of Vasque hiking boots that are clean and in good shape, and a decent shirt or pull-over fleece sweatshirt (depending on how cold it is). I don't look like a slob. I refuse to look like a slob. I might wear sweatpants at home in the cabin, unless I'm expecting someone or plan on going somewhere, though out in public I try to look at least decent and clean. I might otherwise resemble my Norse ancestors, though even they cared about their appearance. Up here in the interior of Alaska, at least people have to wear appropriately warm clothing during a portion of the year to keep from getting 3rd degree frostbite within seconds, so one doesn't see bare body parts hanging out, unlike down in the lower 48. Now that it's warming up, it's easy to spot the idiots who are part of the "slob culture".

    About tattoos and piercings...I have a lady friend in Ukraine, and we've both noticed that the younger women in Eastern Europe are now following the American trend of covering themselves with tattoos and getting piercings (nose, lips, etc.) and implants. They have ruined their otherwise good looks. At least my friend agrees whole-hardheartedly that it's a disgusting trend (she only has a single piercing on each earlobe for an earring and no tattoos; I myself have no tattoos or piercings--don't want any).

    I hope this idiot trend of looking like slobs will eventually swing back the other way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The "idiot trend" of looking like slobs is, sadly, not likely to turn back the other way any time soon. You can blame the bloated, greedy corporations like Wal-Mart and Amazon for contributing to a culture of mass exploitation, and mass production all for the obese masses to consume without thought. Not only are people suffering now post-pandemic due to inflation, they are also not likely to put much emphasis on keeping up appearances, although most looked dreadful even before the pandemic began over two years ago.
      Another point of contention is how everyone gets away with using profanity, whether they are politicians making a speech, or even Ken Jennings on Jeopardy, who was "bleeped out" on a recent episode. I guess that this is supposed to be cute, to live in a so-called "culture" wherein manners and educated speech are for the dogs, and having an intellectual disposition is considered strange. Using profanity on live tv or radio in the "old days" was once unthinkable, but now there are those who think that free speech enables them to be a foul mouthed pig - or look like one....

      Delete
  60. Canadian here and I can tell you the majority of people dress terribly. To me it signals low self esteem, laziness and no pride in yourself. I actually think women dress worse than men in the city I live in.

    My pet peeve is spandex/clothing out side the gym. no just NO. There are these weird stretchy spandex dresses women wear that look so terrible. Every roll, jiggle and bump is on display. It does not look pleasant.

    I will add it is related to class to some degree. The wealthier people here dress in a different way than the middle and lower middle class people. It’s very obviousThey look pleasant and situationally appropriate. I’ve noticed that many people do not have seasonal or situational appropriate clothing and they just look bad. It’s a signal leaving the house in a yellowing stained tshirt with some threadbare too small black leggings and it’s not a good one.

    ReplyDelete
  61. I should add I agree with the poster who commented on the excessive tattoos. So many people here just covered in tattoos. A lot of them are bizarre, you can’t help but stare because your eye is trying to figure out what you’re seeing. A kewpie doll? A bald gorilla? Satan’s baby? Half the time you can’t figure it out. The sleeves of tattoos looks so gross, not artsy and cool.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They look abominable but they think it makes them unique. Well, if everyone is tattoooed then they all look the same, which is to say they all look like shit together. What kind of a standard is that?

      Delete
    2. Tattoos are ugly. I'm so tired of this trend. Where I live is pretty trashy at the best of times, but now everyone in every workplace setting, including the doctor! Is covered with tattoos, and piercings. It's so revolting, and unprofessional, I just can't....

      Delete
    3. Agree. I don't like them, either. It's one thing to have one tattoo that represents something important to (or about) you; it's another to have body parts covered with random artwork. I don't understand the appeal and why they've gotten so popular over the past 30 years. And they're not cheap!

      Delete
  62. I almost forgot abojt this blog! I was beginning to think i was just a grumpy ole buzzard. Im 50 now, many say i look 35. Fine. I try to look as good as possible when out in public. I work in a hospital and the vistors and patients who come in dressed in.... whatever is ghastly. Many might point to the younger generation, its not. Its a culture thing. RARELY do i see a person dressed perfect. I see plenty of people who should know better. Adult couples wearing raggedy t-shirts with some ugly nonsense graphic on it. Dirty shoes and unwashed hair... and these are females!
    Has anyone noticed these DAY GLOW yellow t shirts? Its looks like highlighter. It matches nothing of course. Who dresses down to go to the doctors office? Its all about money, many do not have the means, i get it, ive been poor too, but i never looked like a mentally ill hobo. A young male yesterday that came in wearing flip flops, tank top, shorts and it was 40 degrees. Huh?
    Yes to the ugly tats. Those cost money so its funny how none is spent on clothes yet tats get it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. People go out these days looking as if they've never spent more than $10 on an article of clothing. Sweat pants, yoga pants for women, t shirts - it's pathetic. It's gotten so ugly that I notice if someone is even wearing a decent pair of jeans, compared to most of the slob army out there now. These people are an eyesore and they're getting worse!

      Delete
  63. Not many people mentioned women's hair yet, besides their greasiness. Have you noticed how horrendous women's hair styles look nowadays? Burned, frayed, roots grown to their ears, two or three colors at the same time (not to mention all the blues and pinks and purples), long, puffy, messy, uncombed.. It's wrong to call it "style" because obviously no thought or effort seem to go into women's hair today. I suspect some women don't even look at the mirror for a second. It is hard to look put together if your hair looks like that in the first place.
    Hair has been made a political issue, so you can't easily bring a neat hair policy anymore. Society has no problem with it or they are too afraid to criticize, so there's absolutely no shame in showing up anywhere looking like a witch now.
    People don't even bother to comb their hair anymore.
    All of us have become work beasts who come home only to eat and look at our phones and TV and sleep. Nobody has any pride in himself/herself and nobody has any energy to look at another person either, so there is no need for pride anymore. Basically, we don't have an audience. Each person is in essence lonely. Because of fear of communism, all kinds of social organizing has been discouraged, and now they are reaping the rewards. Groups of people working side by side like work horses, but who don't connect and form a community. There's no "we" anywhere anymore. People looking like potato sacks. But nobody has a problem because there's no need for them to look any better or have pride in themselves; they get the work done and life goes on. Most 9f us are the work horses that keep the system going, that's all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Back to the dark ages is the theme of your message. Sadly, you are right, only now we have miraculous technology instead of religion.

      Delete
  64. Why are so many people looking like this? Look at what's being sold in the stores, and there's your answer. Obviously they pay money for all of it!

    ReplyDelete
  65. I'm beginning to really think that the younger generation of Americans is absolutely clueless about how to dress either decently or appropriately! And this also applies to they who are on national television.
    I was watching the NBC nightly news not too long ago on a Sunday evening. The youngish male weatherman (or meteorologist) appeared on the screen for about thirty seconds to give an update on the weather conditions for the country. While he was wearing a nice, flannel, striped double breasted suit, he looked ridiculous.
    His jacket length was too short in the body, his sleeves also too short. His pants didn't come within two inches of his shoe tops, so that his striped socks were exposed. He looked like a geek! When people who appear in front of millions on tv don't know how to wear a suit, then you can bet that Americans have a real problem with dressing right.
    It's a shame because these people should know better.




    ReplyDelete
  66. Jessica ReynoldsMay 28, 2023 7:57 PM

    To provide some of you a perspective from the younger population, I love dressing like a hobo. These grimey t-shirts are $100 at least, my leggings are brand name and I work a great job. What do I wear at work? Scrubs, I’m in the healthcare field and honestly, why do I need to look presentable to anyone outside of my workplace? I love making people think I’m broke, they won’t bother at me and most importantly won’t mug me! I think this self-esteem debate is pretty heinous. That’s based on the individual. Also, biggest factor, fashion has changed. No one in my current generation enjoys wearing slacks unless in more formal situations, and I don’t blame them! Mind your business and live your life, everyone else is living theirs. We only have so much time on this earth, don’t waste it on petty anger.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No way. I don't want people to think I'm broke nor do I want them to think I'm mentally ill incapable of putting an outfit together. It takes very little effort to look nice. No one is asking to look like an Oscars telecast, just, "be presentable" as mom always says and she always says, "You never know who you will meet." Not sure when it became cool to look like dog crap.

      Delete
    2. Exactly, Jessica. You've just said it yourself: "Mind your business, live your life, everyone else is living theirs." You're just admitting we're not a society anymore, let alone a civilized society. We're reduced to a bunch of work beasts huddled together trying to survive and nothing else. Just a bunch of solitary individuals with a few like-minded friends or family around each of us. There's no interaction between large chunks of public. No opportunities and no need for random people to meet face to face. Nobody even looks at another, so there's no need to present yourself in a more pleasant or neat fashion. I can tell you, it wasn't like that in the past. People cared about what others thought about them because there were others who actually looked at you and expected you to look a certain way. Now there are no norms and no consequences for anything. Before replying how "free" we are today, please think for a second why those norms and societal standards emerged in the first place. I'm very afraid we're beginning to lose what makes us a civilized society.

      Delete
    3. What you have said is a sad testimonial to the decline and fall of our american empire. We americans think we're the greatest,yYet the average american is fairly ignorant about our own history, and couldn't care less about it. We've become a society of namby pamby victims who expect the best, but won't pay the piper. Technology is run amuck and people really are becoming humanoids who don't care about themselves. Everybody is guaranteed rights by the Consitution, yet they will give up those rights for the latest gadget or unecessary contrivance to distract from "real"reality. There's also an overpopulation problem but shhhh! don't say so. You'll be branded an outcast by the swinish multitudes for thinking you are better than they are.

      Delete
  67. To live in a civilised society, we must all respect one another and dress with dignity. Have pride, be modest and one hundred percent make an effort to look our best. I used to love people watching pre 2000's, but now I feel depressed whenever I step outside and look at what humanity has become. Unrecognisable in the past 20 years. Women used to actually enjoy wearing beautiful outfits and found it fun creating new looks. Now everyone looks like the same, homeless, unkempt, overweight. God help us. To be subversive these days is to wear a dress, a little make up and have clean, well groomed hair. Who would have thought this even 20 years ago? I'm an Aussie living in the UK, and it's the same slovenly situation in these 2 countries as well. It seems 95 percent of women think leggings are appropriate for work, church and everywhere else. And most women are overweight and ironically look like they've never stepped inside of a gym.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So it's not an American thing? Geez. I admit, I don't always dress perfect, but I never wear inappropriate in public. I see it in public constantly. Large women wearing too tight clothes, their bosoms ready to burst out. Their male counterparts who dress like they've just been released from prison. The worst part is they all CHOSE to dress crappy and look disgusting. Large women with lots of rolls, too tight leggings and ugly tats all over... just stop. We need an, "Elegant Revolution," dress correctly, smartly and good.

      Delete
    2. I second your motion Dan. What America has now is not an "elegant revolution" but an ugliness pandemic. I don't think that non-homeless people who don't reside in an actual slum should appear at public places looking obscene. Of course, the ACLU would disagree, but it's really gotten disgusting out there! I see this shit in my town all the time: obese, ugly women in garbage clothing and their male counterparts. Once upon a time these people would have been jailed for violating obscenity and decency laws. But no, we can't have, nor expect, the average person to look normal anymore. It's a damn shame but it's not getting any better.

      Delete
  68. thank you for this article and thank you folks for the nice responses, it made me feel so much better now. For thirty years and ongoing this is the bane of my existence, I saw this getting worse since the 80s. If I ever dared coming to school with trainers and joggers, they would send me straight back home to dress up properly. Baseball caps weren't allowed, and seen as what kids would wear. I cannot recall grown men wearing ball caps, it would be when they were trying to act younger. The 'gym' clothes were for sport days or home only, and no one dared to walk in public like that. Fast forward to this day and it is now the other way around..

    Don't even dare to come up with this question because they will act like I just produced a ñ@z1 salute, guys today don't even know it anymore they tell me to don't judge them in the clothes they feel comfy in. Yes feeling comfy is not the same as presentable, just as eating burgers and pizza isn't the same as eating greens and slowly fresh produced food, now you will see two sides of men that either overdress sharp or are a total slob, you can dress nicely without overdoing this, and you aren't gay if you wear any other colour than black/white/gray or silver...

    I don't even live in the USA or Latin-America, but I watch the daily videos and I am mindblown how the males over there dress up. 30+ of age, that walk around with baseball caps, oversized clothes, juvenile tee prints, sports jerseys, joggers, 7/8 capri pants, cargo pants, trainers, you expect me to address them with sir of gent, no I wouldn't?! And if you ask me, I feel the need to say it is all done by design so that no one in todays society would respect each other anymore, if you insist to look like a slob, then I cannot treat you as a gent, it doesn't work that way. Why do they even encourage this? I keep thinking of that video segment from a William Shatner convention when he says to that trekkie, oi cut it out, you are a full grown man not a kid, look at yourself!!!

    On the other hand, women for the most part know how to dress up, make themselves presentable, choose their clothes carefully before they get out. So, glad I'm a gent because if I was a woman it would be a torture to look at the opposite sex.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Let's put it bluntly people: American clothing sucks and so does American globalization!
    In fact, American clothing isn't even American, with over 90% of it being made in China or some other asian country. And yes, if you choose to wear sweat pants, and unflattering clothing into the public domain, you are contributing to the Ugly American problem in the world. Your tattos are hideous and stupid. Your undisguised obesity hanging out is disgusting.
    Charity starts at home. We don't need to be lecturing other countries with our imperialism about how to run themselves when our damned population looks like a bunch of stupid slobs.

    ReplyDelete
  70. Who needs to be impressed of the way you look at Walmart? I get it if your at Whole Foods… you may run into a contact there. I love to dress up in a suit for dinner with my wife or wear linen and a submariner on vacation at my summer home in Italy but if I’m going to Walmart I’m wearing the comfortable gym shorts and a T. The real problem I see with the article and the comments below it are that most of you people worry too much about what you look like or even worse, what others look like. You are the problem. Karens… SMH

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, shut up. No one is interested in what you have to say, slob. You can't make yourself feel better by pretending you don't care, and that other people with standards, are the problem instead. Frankly, only trashy people even shop at Walmart in the first place. I certainly never go in there....and anyway more dishonestly from you 'justice warrior' types. Allegedly you hate corporations, and want to support the 'little guy', and yet you would patronise Walmart?? I only buy local, and support small businesses, but hey.... Yes, how people look matters, and it's also a reflection of their character. No one likes to look at things that are hideous, or personalities to match.

      Delete
    2. Also 'Karen' is a derogatory, sexist slur meant to silence women who speak out. So....you are the problem.

      Delete

Powered by Blogger.