To wonder why there are so many scruffy people these days

[Quirrelsotherface]

I've been looking through old photographs lately, from the 20's through to 60's probably, my grandparents era. What I absolutely couldn't get over was the amount of people who were so well dressed back then! There were group photos, photos of streets with lots of people in the background and to be honest, I couldn't really pick a scruffy looking one out of any of them. Not particularly affluent areas, just everyday public. The clothes, though, look expensive and well cut, the men in hats and the women with beautiful haircuts. Beautiful coats and shoes.

Why then, these days do we not have this pride in appearance that they had back then? Walk out now in any town and smart people are really in the minority.

AIBU to wonder why this is?

I agree...we are not as well dressed as the older generations....in general.

I was only saying this the other day...how children look less smart than my grandparents when they were children.

I wonder about this and I find it very depressing. So many people look like utter slobs, no matter where they go. It's shameful. It doesn't take much to look decent, but it's apparently too much effort for a lot of people.

Wow you are nice Aquamarine!

Because it was ridiculously OTT and impractical.
I remember seeing pictures of my parents dressed in shirt and tie / a dress to 'travel' to a hostelling and hiking holiday. Barmy, having unnecessary and impractical clothes to carry round for all those days.

I think the opposite. Yes you have people in their tracksuit bottoms but I see women going out for a walk in a smart dress. I'd wear a smart dress for a wedding, and that's about it. I usually feel underdressed just walking around our local town centre, although there are a few keeping me company (I don't wear tracksuit bottoms but I don't dress up especially to buy a pint of milk).

People had far fewer clothes that were better made - often made for them, even if they weren't well off. My DGF was a shopkeeper and my DM and her sister had their clothes made by a local dressmaker if they weren't made at home (1930s). Things were made to last and were passed down and altered, as well. The general turn out - with the expectations about hats and ties - was much more formal.

That said, I am on the whole a total scruff-bag who would appall both my grandmothers.

Um, because taking a photograph was a special occasion thing back then so people will have their Sunday best on.

Less pixels/muted monotone colours are always flattering. Plus people tended to buy better quality clothes since that was what was available.

On the other hand antiperspirant wasn’t patented till 1941 and once a week baths were common till the 70’s I think so our noses would probably struggle with the past.

Also, getting your picture taken was a special thing. People dressed up for it.

My Nan always wore a dress and a hat, and my Grandpa always wore a 3 piece suit. Strange to think of it now.
My Dad still dresses up to go to the Doctors though...

Clothes were better made and people were slimmer - makes people look smarter in y opinion.

I don’t think people look like slobs, and I can’t speak much about children, as I don’t have any yet so don’t know what I’d dress them in!

However, I would say that I don’t think most British women know how to dress themselves well anymore. Like, learning what your body type is, especially as it changes with age, and making sure you only choose cuts that actually fit it and show off your best features, rather than just choosing what seems to be in style. So many women I see out, and just think why on earth are you wearing that cut/colour/fabric?!

For example, I would LOVE to wear a midi-length pleat skirt and look really sleek in it, but know it would NEVER work as my hips are too wide, my bum too big, and my legs too short to make the line of the skirt work properly! On the other hand, when I wear dresses and skirts with a “wiggle” cut, I always get compliments because they really flatter my figure.

My nan used to wear her best hat and clothes to church every Sunday, now people turn up in jeans and t'shirt.
If you look at the older generation now they dress very smartly in the main.

Talking to the older generation they had to save for months to buy a good item of clothing which they'd wear often. Also the women wore dresses more which will in general look smarter.

I love old photos.

Clothes hang better on thin people, so our growing waistlines (and the introduction of Lycra) won’t help.
Plus people generally don’t dress as formally.
And I think people want to be comfortable more than they want to look respectable.

Well, I would say there were certainly people who were not well dressed in the period which included the Second World War and the Great Depression. I can also remember people fifty years ago, who were quite poorly dressed. The poorly dressed people were usually greatly disadvantaged in other ways too.

Furthermore, I do recall having 'working clothes' which we used on the farm and putting on what must have been our 'best clothes' to go out into the town. I really think you were more likely to be judged upon your appearance in those days.

Also, in my grandparents' generation, it was quite an occasion to have your photograph taken. People would get dressed up. So some photographs may not be a true reflection of what people wore.

I am glad that I can walk out in my old jeans and baggy top and not fear the judgement or wrath of others. I think being scruffy is no longer associated with some of the social problems that were rife in the past and that can only be a good thing.

So many people look like utter slobs, no matter where they go. It's shameful. It doesn't take much to look decent, but it's apparently too much effort for a lot of people.

I don't think this is a 'nasty' comment per se, I think unfortunately it is the truth in a lot of cases. Obviously also there are people who are amazingly turned out everywhere, too but not as many as there seemingly were years ago.

I'm not the smartest person in the world but I do find it a bit depressing. I wonder if it really encouraged more to take pride in appearance back then, or seen as a status symbol or something.

It's the girdles - kept people upright, good for deportement - very bad for our insides

Can you imagine wearing one of those with stockings every day now ?!?

Dressing well, like everything good, is now considered “elitist” or something.

I'll add that these are photos from all situations in life, where people wouldn't necessarily have known they would be in a photo.

My grandmother wore Shapewear EVERY day all day long

Fuck that

It’s a very 2019 look to have an absolute full face of make-up, eyebrows, lashes and huge lips then accompany it with a scruffy bun and a tracksuit / athleisure wear

I’ve got a picture of my granny on the beach in a beautiful summer dress and a hat. She never went anywhere without a hat and usually gloves. She’d have a fit if she could see me now.

As PPs have said, people dressed up for photographs then. Also fashions were a lot more staid, formal and in many cases for women constrictive and impractical. Not something I'd care to return to, really.

Also it's worth remembering, the further back you go especially, poorer people didn't have much in the way of smart clothing at all because they couldn't afford it. Nowadays (considerations about ethical fashion aside) it's possible to buy a smart outfit very cheaply on the high street. Or from a charity shop/eBay.

I remember my mother telling me a good winter coat cost half a week's wages in the 1960s so consequently she never bought one. Now you can buy a decent coat from Primark for about £20, cheaper again if you buy second hand.

I think being smart is far more accessible now, but most importantly we have choice when it comes to how we dress, especially as women.

Clothes were rarely washed other than underwear. A dress or skirt might be sponged and pressed. A blouse would be worn for a week before it was laundry day. Shoes were often patched and cobbled, on their second or third sole. Stockings were darned and darned. People were restricted by their clothes. A nice ‘costume’ suit at 20 Guineas would be four full weeks’ pay for my mum in her first job - office work at £5 a week.

I’m much happier now!

This was late 40s, post war.