re: When did people stop dressing nice as a rule and more as an occasion

There is no difference in the way I worship when I wear shorts to church than you or others who are dressed to the nines. That being said, I don’t think you should dress like you’ve just left the gym but there’s nothing wrong with wearing a nice pair of shorts to church and I was raised a Baptist.

The reason people stopped dressing that way was the 60's counter coulter revolution.

They hated their stiff proper parents and wanted to be nothing like them. So they burned their bras, did LSD, and all the other hippy shite. Society chases the trends of the youth and fashion followed and the suit and die died with the hippies.

The funny thing is all those assholes turned into worse people than their parents they were protesting.

When more comfortable options became widely available.

quote:

---

When more comfortable options became widely available.

---

I think there’s more to it though

To me it’s more about wearing clean, well fitting clothes than anything else. I can wear joggers and a sweatshirt or fleece and look more respectable than some slob in baggy, ripped up jeans and a hoodie. I don’t get why so many people have zero self respect

quote:

---

Prolly not. He was kind of a hippy.

---

No. He wasn't. He was a radical compared to the existing power, but hippie he was not. That is BS happy, feel-good church stuff that makes him seem so, but read the writings about him. He was a demanding person about sin and not sinning. Very forgiving, but if you weren't going to put in the work to avoid sin and not sin it was bad news for you.

To the original poster, I am the guy who dresses like the guy you want to see in public, and have insight from my experience.

My upbringing in the 80's and 90's by my parents/grandparents rubbed off on me and I continue to live that standard today.

I noticed as a child when going around town with my grandfather that he would always get respect in public by strangers. He was a businessman in a labor intensive trade and I noticed people would go out of their way to help him, give special attention, or provide exceptional service. We would run into so many people in public that he had met/knew throughout his life, and they would give him the utmost respect, accolades, and were cordial. Some of the people he never remembered but they knew all about him. He was not a public figure, but he truly believed (and succeeded) that dressing up everyday is what helped him become wealthy and got him out of the worker bee life. He could have easily been a blue collar worker his entire life, but always believed that you be better than what you are at present, and you will continuously climb the ladder as a result.

With my Dad, he was anal about dress code. Only time a t-shirt was allowed was to do labor or yard work. If we went to events or errands, collared shirt was the minimum dress and all shirts had to be tucked in with a belt.
He would flip his lid otherwise. He always said that "You never know who you are going to meet today." That stuck with me, and there have been occasions where I met people who could/did help me out or allowed myself he opportunity to get to know them better.

As a result, I always dress up as an adult and father. Only time I am dressed down is to do yard work, go directly to a gym, do an errand where I do not have to get out of the car, and around the house. Collared shirts and button downs are the norm. Pants and nice hybrid pants/jeans are my usual go to. Jeans are worn daytime only unless the event starts in the daytime and ends at night, but shirt is always tucked in. Only things I do not tuck in are pullovers or pullover type shirts, but they are fashionable and my version of dressing down.

When I go to dinner at a nicer restaurant than a chain - jacket is the standard, suit and tie for special occasions.

Any event at night requires pants and also a jacket (If applicable)for the venue.

I met and married a great woman who had high standards for a man she wanted to give her heart to. She is a catch and I am fortunate to have her. I DEFINITELY would have had no chance if I did not have a dress code when we met and started dating. She comes from a traditional family.

My wife and I believe in the same principle, and have continued it with our children who are still under the age of ten.

As a result, this is what I notice:

I/we get respect in public and receive over the top service. We get friendly hellos, compliments on our children, and even the occasional "that is great to see young people who still dress up their kids nice" from grandmothers. One woman went on a tirade about her daughter and how her kids always look like crap lol. We also get perks from time to time in retail. My kids WANT to wear nice clothes and shoes when they go out. They must see us as a role model. Go figure!

When I see any doctor or professional, I always have pants on with a button down. I see it as showing respect to that professional and their business with proper appearance. We always have great convos and meaningful treatment/diagnosis. Our pediatrician showed up on a Sunday at the hospital to check on us and the newborn. We never even asked for her to come.

Besides tennis shoes for working out, I have a Johnston Murphy shoe collection for daily use. I get compliments all the time.

12 years ago I met a guy in the airport that wanted to hire me for his business fifteen minutes after we met. First impression mattered. I had to turn it down.

The funny thing is, I do not feel comfortable going in public unless I am respectfully dressed.

I could go on and on with other examples.

To conclude, I do not think people realize that appearance goes a long way. That is the first impression that someone gets. Character, work ethic, and personality is proven later, but it is hard to exemplify that if you don't have a standard for yourself to demonstrate to others.

quote:

---

When I see any doctor

---

Doctors would probably prefer a polo type shirt and shorts. Easier to access the body dke visualization and auscultation.

Now, let's see some pics of your dapper self.

I 100% understand dressing up nice for work, church, a funeral, a wedding, etc. but I'm not dressing up to take a walk around the block or go eat.

People's clothes were tailored or custom