DRESSING DOWN
/“Fashion as we know it is over; people wear now exactly what they feel like wearing.” (noted by Designer Mary Quant … a long time ago)
The dressing down of America began decades ago and was captured succinctly in a 2012 FORBES magazine article. Titled “America the Slovenly,” the author wrote, "I am sitting in the auditorium of a Midwestern college at its graduation ceremony, and, in my starched khaki trousers, blue open-collar shirt and blazer, I am wildly overdressed. I also wore shoes, as opposed to sneakers, flip-flops or sandals. I am feeling very conspicuous, for around me are fellow citizens, friends and families of the graduates, dressed in tank-tops, logo T-shirts, cut-off shorts, raggedy jeans barely hanging on to the butt, pedal-pushers, gym gear and at least one sighting of what appeared to be a maroon bathing suit.”
Recognize that audience?
I can’t count the number of men I watch strut into the post office (or cardiologist or Hannaford self-check out section) wearing plaid flannel pajama bottoms as if they were clad in Haggar’s Premium Khakis. Or the countless not-all-young women legging their way through Dock Square in jeans with hems and knees more shredded than El Paso Taco Cheese.
Recently, the dressing down of America hit home. “Should I wear my navy blue blazer,” Mr. Wonderful hollered from the depths of our walk-in bedroom closet. We were headed to Portland’s Merrill Auditorium for a Sunday afternoon concert performed by the renowned local symphony orchestra. I assured him, “A sweater and slacks are fine.”
Had Mr. W. donned his blue blazer, he would have been the ONLY person sitting in any of the 1900+ seats of the Merrill wearing one. The dress code featured grey warmup suits, Celtic sweatshirts and jeans, plus a plethora of black Nike hoodies. (Remember when we got dressed up when going to a concert?)
Several weeks later we went to a performance by Livingston Taylor (aka James’ younger brother). In the audience I spotted an unshaven man sporting Carhartt bib overalls and another guy who, after slipping out of his thick sweater, watched the show in his white Hanes tee shirt. I shudder to think what they wear when they’re swilling a Bud on the back patio.
Certain aspects of the casual clothing trend make sense and are even desirable, especially for plane travel. A Lululemon fleece warmup suit is hugely preferable for plane travel than my first “going away” outfit which featured a red linen sheath and matching coat, a “pillbox” hat, nylon hose and three-inch navy heels … and that was for a 10 hour flight to Paris!
(PERSONAL ASIDE: speaking of heels, other than Melania, Ivanka and Princess Kate, who wears 5-inch stilettos? My feet wither just looking at them).
So I started poking around to see when and where men still wear sports jackets and women might opt for a dress. For sure, at funerals. But on a regular weekly basis, the only place I discovered where people still dress up like we used to is at church. Granted, it’s usually the Super Senior Set sporting Harris Tweed jackets and navy blue suits as they pass the collection plate, or “vintage” women in floral frocks reading the Gospel selection.
Which is interesting because there’s not a word in the Bible that says anything about what we should wear to church. Neverthelss, I have a hunch God is looking down and nodding approval.
