Taking oneself too seriously is a modern phenomenon much to be avoided

[DownToTheSeaAgain]

In my youf we wore puffball skirts and day glow leg warmers with pride but also with a slight sense of ironic self deprecation.

We used san pro to transform our saggy shoulders into squared off power dressing for the buy, buy, generation. We chuckled at the ridiculousness of it all and got on with selling off the nations utilities.

We protested against poll tax whilst wearing bin bags as fashion items. We connected with our world whilst at the same time appreciating that we probably looked a bit silly.

We didn’t take ourselves too seriously.

AIBU to believe that Gen Z have largely lost the ridiculous clothing choices and with that the ability to laugh at themselves and life in general?

I agree but I can't think of anything funny enough to say 😏

I’m 53 and teach undergraduates. I can confirm they are every bit as batshit as we were in 1987.

I remember leaving home in a smart coat, tightly buttoned up. Arrived with multiple belts layered up, and lipstick diagonally striped on my cheeks.

Exactly what Spaniels says OP. Why this need to feel superior? It’s tough being young. It’s always been tough being young.

Do you think they’re a different type of batshit though?

Respect.

I used to wear a plastic dress and pour beer down it to check it was still waterproof. I suspect beer is too pricey to enjoy in this way these days.

I think every generation remembers itself as ironic, self-aware and good-humoured, and the next one as humourless. It’s a very reliable form of nostalgia.

Fair point. Thank you.

I worry about the young’uns though. I sense that it is all much more serious these days.

DC wears a suit to their (uniform less) school. I remember debating which blasphemous Frankie rip off t shirt to wear to mine at the same age.

Steve Strange. RIP

Now theres a man who knew how to take himself seriously.

Nostalgia's not what it used to be though is it?

Tbf people have their whole lives to wear whatever they like these days.
Anyone sporting a bin liner or diagonal lipstick lines on their cheeks beyond their mid twenties would have looked like a total lunatic in the old days.

It’s definitely not a modern phenomenon

Not in my house. It’s alive and well. Back in the day I even used world class piss taking banter on my toddlers to “build character”.

Of course karma is a bitch and now they’re adults I get rinsed every visit. It’s worth it. I’m just passing on good old British cultural traditions.

me i never take my self seriously, im daft as a brush and i wear dressing gowns on top of normal clothes at times when its cold and im riding into town on bicycle

Key question here is are you Gen Zeee? If so then go you for bucking the normcore trend.

just realised im an Elder Millennials, a cold war era baby

Well go you to still having the energy to
ride a bike let alone the two fingers to sartorial conventions.

i keep trying although some point my knees will be omg but until then ill keep riding

Frankie Says... Relax. Fuck, I'm old, lol

I dunno, when you were all wearing puffball skirts and legwarmers, I thought you were all dead conservative Jackie readers. I was wearing floor-length black coats and massive shirts. And, my pride and joy, a black fedora.

It sounds like the beginning of a Victorian novel.

Ah bless you @DownToTheSeaAgain.
Have you had any dcs?
Mine are in their 30s. Gen Z they are not but a couple of their cousins are and same sex relationships and so on.
They're all fabulous and dress how they like.
As most people I know do.