Do you miss the way we used to dress before everything became so informal?

[strawberrydress]

I was at work today and thinking how much dress codes have changed. Even just five years ago I was wearing pencil skirts, blouse and heels to the office and that was a totally normal outfit. I feel like if I wore that now everyone would think it was really weird! Today I saw people wearing trainers, jeans, t-shirts. I don’t remember the last time I saw a man in a tie. Everyone was so casual.

I feel I notice the same thing everywhere - people don’t seem to dress up for things which used to be seen as quite formal events like going to the theatre or out for dinner.

I used to really enjoy clothes and thinking about what to wear but it doesn’t seem to be as much fun anymore and there aren’t many opportunities to wear nice things without looking out of place. Does anyone feel the same or is it just me?

I work for London Underground. Many of us complain about the uniform, saying it's not fitted enough and is poor quality. Our forebears wore three-piece suits and hats! And it lasted for years. I would like a uniform that commanded a bit more authority to be honest. The current one is too casual.

Well, yes. I’m also slightly bemused that people are correlating ‘formal’ with ‘tight’ or ‘body con’ or ‘heels’, and ‘informal’ with ‘comfortable’ or tracksuit bottoms. I love clothes, and I love wearing clothes that are both beautiful and comfortable — I’ve always been taken aback by how many Mners talk about ripping off their bra as soon as they come in the door, which to me suggests something is wrong, or they’re regularly wearing the wrong size. But my daily wear — academic job I walk or cycle to — isn’t tracksuit bottoms and hoodies because it isn’t heels and pencil skirts.

Not bothered so much about work, but watched a film the other day set in the 50s, people went out to the theatre all dressed up and they looked so nice. It did add more of a sense of occasion to things when you made an effort with clothes.

I wonder if this casual style will filter down to schools? I really hope it does!

Agree. One of the things that made me feel more flat in lockdown was jeans and jumper every day and no need to do hair or make-up.

I honestly think you should still just go for it. I’ve always been ‘overdressed’ - a trait inherited from my granny. I wouldn’t feel like me if I went out for a meal etc in leggings and a jumper. I don’t judge people who are but it’s not for me (and my outfits wouldn’t be for them!).

I’ve had a rough year and one thing that’s helped is getting into vintage fashion and second hand shopping a lot more. I’ve also thought more about what my overall style is (somewhere between fading stately home grandeur and 1970s Dolly Parton). I do realise this might make me sound like a bit of a tit but the worst that can happen is I look a bit silly for a day whilst I experiment with something. My more dressy/louder outfits have actually got me nothing but compliments (I’ve even had people stop me in the corridor at work) which has never happened when I’ve been in jeans and a t-shirt or my more casual stuff. I’ve also acquired a lot of clothes/jewellery over the years from holidays - peacock blue boots from Rome, silk cropped jackets from Indonesia etc. Wearing them here to the office etc is a lovely way of reliving the memories.

If it makes you happy then life is too short not to wear it - and it’s definitely too short to save it for best (we need to make our own best). Plus (on a more shallow note…) it’s a great incentive to stay in shape (you definitely know in something vintage if you’re gaining weight unlike anything casual and elasticated!).

I don’t wear heels but for work I still wear what I like and what my wardrobe is full of, which is smart-ish dresses with a jacket. I’m probably the smartest-dressed person in my office most days but so what, someone has to be! If the young ‘uns think I’m a dowdy old frump because I don’t wear jeans or joggers or whatever to work then that’s their prerogative, I genuinely don’t give a shit. What I wear suits my figure and helps me get into “work mode” in my head. I was never a fan of dress-down Fridays in the past TBH, I like to keep my work wardrobe and my “fun personal time” wardrobe separate.

No way! Comfort is so much more important to me now!

This... With bells on it. Wear what makes you feel good 😊

Oh and agree that heels do not equal smart. Very few of my dressy things are uncomfortable (why would I do that to myself if I’m dressing to feel good?). Practical and attractive does exist!

I’ve always dressed up for dinner, theatre and Christmas Day, and dress smart-comfortably at home – the thought of pyjamas all day or changing into “comfies” when I get home or, shudder, an oodie, is so depressing. I dress smartly for work too and most people I know do – but my crowd works in fashion, PR, meeja and other wanky jobs where “smart” doesn’t mean suit, so there’s lots of freedom of expression. I wouldn’t want to do skirt suits any more than I want to do sweatshirts at work.

I went out with friends for a casual dinner last night but I still wore a dress and boots . I like to dress up a bit. I don’t WFH and still make a bit of an effort for the office but I never did wear heels

I was being a bit disingenuous upthread when I said, 'What's the worst that can happen?' because I know how unwritten dress codes can be just as authoritarian as written ones.

I worked for years in an achingly casual organisation where I attracted comments, not because my clothes were particularly smart (no heels, often jeans) but because I take getting dressed seriously. I never wore anything inappropriate that they could pull be up about, but I always sensed an undercurrent of disapproval, I guess because we were expected to be focused on worthier things than clothes. I stuck to my guns because it was important to me - and in fairness I should add that I was nearing the end of my career and there really wasn't anything they could do to frighten me.

What surprised me was that when I left I had so many lovely comments about my style, and several colleagues told me they wished they had 'my nerve' - which made me laugh but also made me feel a bit sad, I mean good Lord, it wasn't like I'd done anything heroic - they were only clothes.

I love clothes and am very happy to use them to express myself. My style tends towards natural so that comfort is an essential ingredient for me.

My idea to to be well dressed for me.

When I look at other people, it would never occur to me to notice that they are overdressed or underdressed for the situation, rather whether they are dressed in harmony with their own shape, colouring and style, so that the clothes are an extension of themselves rather than wearing the body which is suppose to wear tve clothes

Most of my clothes are plain rather than patterned and in a limited palette of colours. They all work together.

I love how a small tweak can change an outfit from day casual to night glamorous, including the beautiful, multicoloured silk jacket that I wear in the evenings, or swapping jeans for leather trousers

I love the absence of a uniform. Bliss

No, I never liked dressing up and am happy wearing casual clothes. I still wear a skirt to work, although I probably could wear jeans if I wanted to. I look back on my office days of wearing a jacket and skirt in horror, although those days were over many years ago. I've never worn a pencil skirt or heels though, thank goodness.

I hated wearing suits to work. Had to spend sooo much money on clothes that I didn’t like, and then more money getting them tailored because standard sizes never fitted me properly.

You wanna wear a pencil skirt, wear a pencil skirt 🤷‍♀️ I doubt anyone will complain.

I would love to wear skirts more but I can't stand tights and can't wear heels. It's difficult to know what to wear them with.

Most trainers are hideous and I hate to see so many joggers everywhere, I think it makes people look, and probably act, lazier, and it’s easier to put on a few pounds without noticing.

I wouldn’t want to go back to the 50s with very restrictive clothes, jeans and boots with a nice top or jumper can look smart, but even that type of style is seen less and less now

Leggings and chunky ankle boots?

Why have you stop wearing the clothes you like @strawberrydress ?

Seriously, having more relaxed rules on how to dress means you can get away with more. Including wearing a pencil skirt (which isn’t that dressed up!) if you want to. And of people around prefer jeans and tshirt, so be it.

You say the UK but I'm a primary teacher in Scotland and everyone wears trainers these days in my school. I'd say it's shifted over the last 3 years.

Some of the young ones even did parents evening in trainers 😱

I’ve always dressed smart, nothing’s changed for me. There’s loads of really nice second hand smart clothes around at good prices now, it’s great.

I love the trend of wearing comfortable clothes for women. Gone are the days when women hobbled along in painful shoes, it looked dreadful, and damaged feet. What we do need is reasonably priced nice looking comfortable non trainers

I''ve worked in an office for over 20 years and have never owned a pair of heels or a suit skirt. That doesn't mean I wear leggings and trainers all the time, there's absolutely loads of options in-between that can be interesting, creative and look good.

In general, I'm against dress codes. I'm
even against school uniform. People should be able dress in a way that makes them comfortable and happy. And if that's heels and pencils skirts then go for it.

We can wear jeans, trainers etc. at my job but I'm always in a dress, tights and heels or boots. Can't stand jeans (personal preference). I dressed the same throughout the pandemic and I dress the same at weekends as I do at work, but I like that people are able to dress comfortably (for them).