Don’t you think most people dress so casual these days when out in restaurants

[LisaVanderpumpy]

looking around me everyone’s wearing jumpers on a Sat night

when I was young on Sat nights most women would be in dresses
in restaurants

perhos it’s because restaurants are colder these days
perhaps people dress more casual just generally now

I’m not one to talk really as I’m also in jeans n jumper as I don’t like being cold plus I’m only with husband and kids

Having pride in myself and putting effort into my appearance doesn’t involve me wearing a dress. I prefer a jeans and trainers outfit.

When DH and I were dating I'd sometimes wear a dress or a skirt and top if we went to a fancy restaurant. DH usually in trousers and casual shirt.
Nowadays we both dress more casually if out. Occasionally if we go on a 'date' we might get dressed up a bit for a fancier restaurant.

I rarely wear dresses, only at weddings, christmas night out and funerals. Same with heels.

That feels an angry response. Of course people can wear what they wish, and of course people go about their day. How odd. This is a chat forum where people are discussing it. If it has triggered you just hide it, as no one is trying to cause offense, no one can see each other so it’s not aimed at any one.

As to who decides what is solvenly, this is the definition of slovenly.

Slovenly describes a person, appearance, or habit that is notably dirty, untidy, or careless. It often implies a lazy, slipshod, or negligent approach to work or personal grooming. Common synonyms include messy, unkempt, sloppy, disorganized, and slatternly

so I’d say society, people, Decide, if something is dirty, or untidy or unkempt, sloppy, then it is what it is. Its visible to the human eye.It’s not so much about the type of clothing, although that plays a big part, but also are clothes clean, ironed, etc,

a hoodie that’s been worn multiple times and not looking clean, a pair of leggings or joggers all bagged out at the knee or arse, as worn repeatedly and not washed, a t shirt which is stretched out, possibly stains on clothing, dirty shoes etc, hair looking greasy or in need of a brush, can all give the appearance of solvenly.

I think it’s exactly about semantics. We aren’t talking about the working class dressing up for church on Sundays - we are talking about society as a whole seem to have forgotten how to get dressed in the morning.

Its also not entirely working class at all - the middle and upper classes have a long history of dress codes and wearing the correct thing to a particular event, or have you never been to Wimbledon?

I don’t think anyone is talking about ‘getting dressed up to the 9s’, just making a general effort to do your hair and not wear the baggiest clothes imaginable with Dad trainers all of the time perhaps? Particularly in a work setting. I don’t wear much make up and I don’t wear heels.

I am WC by birth but I’m an academic so would say I’ve worked up the ranks a bit… I like to dress smartly most of the time. Can’t really define what I mean by that. A smart wool coat in winter and trench coat in autumn/spring. Often trousers with a smart looking top, sometimes a dress with tights. Not a full on pant suit or anything insane. Just something to separate me from the students I teach. The men generally wear either suits or a smart jumper with shirt underneath sort of thing.

There’s a lecturer at a nearby uni with green hair. I don’t know how I feel about this. I’m only 33 myself so not old but I just like people to look professional.

Yes, working class people frequently attend Wimbledon

I’m not sure I believe any of you enter a restaurant or work place to be surrounded by people with dirty hair and clothes

I think people have become much more
comfort focused. Even going to the west end, people go to the theatre in jeans and t-shirts.

Did you quote the wrong person, I can’t see where the poster wrote she was surrounded, maybe I’m missing it?

Even if that was a typo, I love it. 🍋 I'm adopting it from now on.

Yours sincerely,

An Elder Lemon xo

Oh, you need to make it your username now 😆

There’s a lecturer at a nearby uni with green hair. I don’t know how I feel about this

What on earth is the problem with that? I’ve got one child that likes coloured hair. They have had green, amongst many other colours. Looked great, was a beautiful emerald colour. My favourite has been teal, was very nice. I think they have had most other colours except for yellow. I was not a fan of the bright orange as they looked like a weird carrot, but I do love the colour of most natural redheads, their colour was not like that though.

What colour hair do you think they should have @LisaVanderpumpy? And, how does this make any difference to their life, their work (who has never had a problem with it seemingly), or indeed yourself?

Each to their own I suppose. Can't blame people for wanting to be comfy and I guess it must really simplify life to wear the same basics for everything - home, work, social life, errands, sport.

Personally it's not for me. I'd be bored sick of my clothes if I wore the same stuff all the time and I quite like having different outfits for different occasions. Athleisure for exercise and slobbing around the house/popping out for quick errands. Smarter wear for the office - fitted dresses/trousers, shirts/blazers, loafers/heels (though most colleagues wear jeans and trainers). Smart casual for pub, cinema and WFH - jeans and fitted tops, ankle boots. Dressed up for posher restaurants and special occasions. Summer dresses and co-ord sets for holidaying. I like the variety.

I do think it feels a bit depressing to look round and see everyone in the same shapeless baggy neutral coloured clothes but that's my problem not theirs. In the same way that people raise an eyebrow at me and ask why I'm "all dressed up" or wearing a dress - I just say it's what I felt like wearing.

Yes I already said earlier in the thread but a younger colleague who recently completed her PhD turns up to work in baggie hoodies (including a fetching Taylor Swift one) and trainers. I’m sure some students think she’s mega cool and all but I don’t find it professional.

I believe that comment was a joke.

Well that's the Princess of Wales put in her working class place 😁

It was 🤣 I was taking the piss out of the“everything’s better abroad posts

as in, she’s the only person who attends Wimbledon?

Care about what though? Trousers and a jumper are perfectly decent and appropriate. I like them. Are you saying other people would prefer it if I wore a dress so I smarten the place up a bit? Am I supposed to care more about pleasing them than I am about my own comfort and style choice?

Next time I go to a restaurant should I think, "I'd really prefer to wear the trousers and jumper, but since there might be some other random diners there who would prefer me to wear a dress, I'll wear something I don't feel comfortable in just to please them?"

I expect there to be a backlash to the extreme slobbery we’re currently seeing. I think it’s gone as far as it can go and subsequent generations will lean back towards a more polished look. Visiting their grandparents slobbing around in their hoodies and pyjama bottoms at the care home.

That says more about you than them. You’re judging the student by their looks rather than their academic achievements.

My in laws go to see the local orchestra several times a year abd occasionally we go with them.

25 years ago, the dress code for the orchestra was white tie for the men and smart black dresses for the women.

This has been watered down so the men are wearing black trousers and shirt (canf remember about a tie). The women largely wear black trousers and a smart top.

The audience is similar. 25 years ago floor length evening gowns weren't unusual for women, with suits for men.

These days quite literally anything goes. How times have changed.

I was just about to mention the theatre, but you beat me to it. I once saw a man in shorts at an evening show. I admit, it took me off guard.

I always dress nicely to the theatre, but at the same time, I’m glad there’s no dress codes either. I wouldn’t want that to exclude people.

It’s the change in accepted footwear that I’m most happy about. No longer expected to wear formal shoes, my feet used to be in ribbons, now I live in trainers and Birkenstocks, with everything I wear, it’s a real game changer.

All this is a throwback to 50 or more years ago when blazers would be worn at Wimbledon and women couldn't wear trousers in certain places. We've moved on. Getting dressed up to sit in row E of the circle to see Mamma Mia? No thanks. If a restaurant says smart casual I'll go with that but going out/dining has moved on/changed and younger people don't wear the clothes their parents/grandparents wear/wore to go out