To think people dressed more attractively in the past?

[LaurieFairyCake]

Hats, gloves, tailored outfits - tights, low heels

Now I'm not saying we don't dress more practically with our leggings and our 3/4 linen trousers and baggy t shirts and tops

But only that they don't look as 'smart' as before

[Topseyt]

I have to be really careful with heels.

I also hate high heels, but mainly from a practical point of view. I think they usually look very stylish, but I feel uncomfortable and vulnerable in them. I don't have the best balance, so I can't walk in them and I feel as though I am a disaster waiting to happen. I need low heels and flat shoes, even though I am fairly short in stature myself.

Really, I am quite glad of the freedoms we have today to combine style and comfort.

[BeaufortBelle]

I think there are far more nice every day clothes now than in the past. For formal occasions I think people are just as smart. I think you are recalling the best from particular eras and not what everyone else was wearing.

40's/50's for me is curlers and a cross over pinny.
60's/70's crimplene and slacks

[noeffingidea]

I hate high heels, tights/stockings, hats and gloves. I'm so thankful they're not in fashion anymore.
Of course people who like that sort of thing can still wear them, but it seems as if they're in the minority nowadays.

[morethanpotatoprints]

We used to do it to attract men, I hardly see many women wearing make up either except a bit of eyeliner or mascara.
Now we are equal, career driven and don't see the need to attract men anymore, it isn't what women feel they should be doing now.

[EducationalWelfareMakeMeCry]

My Grandmothers were in their 40's and 50's at my parents 60's Wedding. The older Grandmother in poor health and fat. They were both in up to date fashion, looked smart and not like old ladies at all.

[IfNotNowThenWhen]

My gran looked amazing in the 40s. Like Hiildy in His Girl Friday. Fab little hats, tiny waisted suits. She worked in a clothes shop though! I wish I had her old clothes, even though they would have been way too small for me.
I hate the cheap nasty fabrics in shops today too, but to be fair, cheap clothes will be made of shoddy fabric. People used to invest in clothes, buy one or two things a year.
You can still find beautifully made clothes but they do cost. Margaret Howell is good for classics.

[drudgetrudy]

They aren't wearing the equivalent of damart pull-on trousers and orthopaedic shoes. My grandmothers were early 50s at my parents wedding-one very smartly dressed-the other one v poor and doing her best. They both look 80.

[EducationalWelfareMakeMeCry]

Look at the Middleton Women. They dress alike and share clothes.

[drudgetrudy]

late sorry

[drudgetrudy]

I don't think you get as many people in their ate 40s dressing as if they are 75.

[EducationalWelfareMakeMeCry]

I like smart clothes too.

As for the posters saying people in the past dressed like old ladies. That still happens now.

[LashesandLipstick]

I find suspenders nicer than tights - can never get tights long enough in the leg that don't have a massive body bit. Suspenders cut out that issue!

I like structured suits but I think some of it is what you're used to. I have friends who are horrified I wear such "stiff cotton" dresses which feel absolutely fine to me :S I've been wearing them for years though, to the extent that almost any trousers feels weird on me. So you probably get conditioned to your normal clothes.

[drudgetrudy]

Jeans are uncomfortable and tea dresses can be very comfortable. Boned corsets and stilettos at the sea-side-not so much. I also find structured suits pretty uncomfortable. I was at the tail end of some of these fashions-lots of net petticoats for little girls that made marks on your legs and being tortured with 'twink' perms , armani setting lotion and ribbon bows. Had a roll-on at 13 with suspenders and nylons-glad mini skirts and tights soon came in.

[LashesandLipstick]

The people saying these clothes are uncomfortable...have you ever worn them? I think it's personal preference, I find vintage dresses much more comfy than jeans for example (I think jeans are the most uncomfortable trousers I've ever worn). And heels aren't uncomfortable if they actually fit!

[drudgetrudy]

Yes Nettle those clothes were very restricting and uncomfortable and much more suitable for formal wear.
Women in particular could never forget their bodies and just enjoy themselves. I too am glad that I don't have to wear corsets and heels every day. It also took ages to iron those full-skirted navy and white spotty dresses with white collars in pure cotton. Working women with families spent all evening ironing.

[Holowiwi]

I'm looking at the pictures on this thread and I am quite glad that we no longer dress like that. Seems heavy, restrictive and a lot of faff.

[Nettletheelf]

I'm very pleased that we don't have to wear constricting clothes any more. Liberty bodices, corsets, roll ons and that sort of thing. As somebody else noted, how could you run in that stuff?

[ToysRLuv]

No, I really like the freedom we have now to wear pretty much any decade we wish.

[VenusRising]

My DH doesn't look so good in a pill box hat, gloves or low heels.
However he does wear tweed very well!

I presume you are only critiquing women's dress sense here OP? And men get a get out of (sartorial) jail free card?

Fwiw I think everyone who wears stretchy or shiny clothes that allow them to slouch, look awful - beer bellies, bison humps and moobs included.

I don't think it's a solution found in Great aunt Betty's dress up box though....
Maybe compulsory sessions in an iron maiden would improve the situation. Medieval chic anyone?

[drudgetrudy]

Well fashions come and go and some are more attractive than others.
The 40s and 50s look that many of you are referring to was very smart compared with now and great for formal occasions.

However I have a photo of my Mum with us at the seaside in the 1950s.
She is wearing a very fitted tailored suit, high heels and a hat. Her hair is permed and set. The whole look is not conducive to letting your hair down and having fun with the kids-it looks very rigid and formal. (I actually don't like the look much).

People looked absolutely terrible in the 70s. -much worse than now.