Have we all gone too casual?

[Karen Ski]

I just got home from Sunday services and was shocked to see I was the only in church in a skirt and heels? Granted I took a long sabbatical from religion, let's not go there, but since returning to church I have been shocked by the attire of all. Granted the men no longer wear suits and ties but they do at least wear dress slacks and a nice shirt for the most part while the women are just slacks a casual top and flats. Has society changed that much?

[Carolynn]

Hi Karen! Welcome to the forum. In answer to your question, I think it's "yes". I recall when to go to church was to "put on the dog" and going was as much to be seen as to feel closer to whatever concept of God they had. I still do know people (older) that often dress better than usual to go to church, but many don't feel that need anymore, and mostly go for other reasons, such as the fellowship and feeling of sharing. Most every one does at least wear clean clothes, but you might ask yourself if what you wear would make any difference in the eyes of God? Assuming She still exists?

Love, Carolynn

[Deidre Taylor]

Karen, I grew up in an era when the term "Sunday Best" had true meaning like you did. Women dressed up for church, including hats, and men always wore a suit and tie. After a long term of not going I found a church where I was comfortable and have been attending for several years now. You are right, both genders have taken the business casual from the office to the church, there are many Sundays I am the only female in a skirt, but they attend services which is the most important part. I have talked at length with my pastor about this and she agrees however she sees attendance and following the church's teachings far more important than one's attire and sadly I have to agree with her. Personally I wear a skirt to services though not necessarily heels or hose every Sunday as that is what I feel is appropriate. My only advice to you is to make sure you are comfortable and wear what you feel is appropriate. May God be with you.

[DonnaT]

It's been that way back home for years and years. At first the priests didn't like it, and some still don't, but then they thought, as long as they get them in the door.

[Curly(SO)]

I am glad that 'society has changed that much' that people are comfortable to wear what they damn well please to church, or anywhere else for that matter. Surely, that can only be a good thing in terms of acceptance of 'difference'. Being non-judgemental in others' appearance is I what I wish for.

IMHO of course

Love,
Curly

[Sylvia H]

Dressing down seems to have progressed considerably in the past few decades. It almost like we are unconsciously turning into a kind of utility appearance culture with a few notable exceptions.

Its just my perception, but back in the 50s and 60s it seemed like dressing up for those in my realm was an indicator of ones sense of dignity and self worth. There is still an element of this in various professions, but that too seems to be going away.

xox
Sylvia

[ChristineK]

I have to agree that the female image by most GG's is pretty bad. A woman should at least try a little. I see more women dressing worse than men these days and I never thought I would see that.

A woman is a beautiful thing and it should be expressed, instead it is doused in pair of sweats and a baseball cap so you don't have to comb the mop.

I had a chat with the wife wile in Wal Mart one day and pointed out various women and I think she realized she was in there too. She started trying for a wile but slumped back into comfort over style or beauty.

GG's I just have to add that in my opinion the flip flop is not a shoe to be worn except for the beach, It is the most horrible thing ever and it is so popular now. I work with women that think because the flip flop has fake jewels hot melt glued to it that that constitutes a dress shoe. I have actually had this conversation!

GGuys we are just as bad, all of the above applies to us too! The only thing going for us is we need to try half as hard to make it look good and we fail so badly at that even. As a society style has lost the battle and trailer trash wins. I will continue to do my best to stay above the line and I do not own even one par of flip flops.

As Carson Kresly said "Leave the velor tracksuit on the rack"

[Curly(SO)]

WOODSHED!!!!!

[Sunshine Girl(SO)]

It just totally astounds me that people who want to be free to dress as they please are not comfortable with people dressing as they please.

Sunny

[DonnaT]

I agree. Heck, I work at a law firm and quit wearing a tie to work some time ago, and have also ditched the white shirt for pull-overs.

[Absaroka]

I'm with Curly, Sunshine, and Donna on this.

First of all, except for a few of us, it is important to remember that we are actually men, even if we call ourselves ladies. So where do we get off judging women for failing to live up to a feminine ideal that we have the liberty to abandon at any time?

On to another view point. A true lady (as we like to call ourselves) is not catty or gossippy and does not criticize the clothing of others, but merely tries to lead by example.

On to casual in general. Our church runs the gamut. Lots of guys in three piece suits in the winter and tie and jacket in the summer. The tendency is for that to be the older Black members ( the church is about 50/50 salt and pepper) but also some of the older White guys. Younger guys wear anything right down to one of the deacons who takes God, Jesus, and the church very seriously and wears a sleeveless tee shirt in the summer. Personally I think that's a bit too casual for church and feel uncomfortable with it. But he has not asked me my opinion.

If asked the minister would probably point out that God created us naked and not only that was a bit upset when Adam and Eve told him they had realized that they were naked, although that had to do with eating the wrong fruit rather than the clothing.

In terms of my own public attire, I grew up in the 50's and early 60's when men wore ties everywhere including around the house. Good ridance to what I consider a medievial torture instrument. I have memories from a mere 10 years ago when I was not self employed when my employer expected me to keep up appearances by wearing a tie, even to site visits while it was close to 100 degrees in the summer.
From what I understand from women many feel the same way about things like girdles. And as I have said many times here I know that my wife considers deciding what to wear to work the next day to be one of the more onerous chores of her evening.

Yes I do agree we need some standards in what we wear. But I certainly wouldn't want to go back to the stone age of de rigeur suits and ties, and I figure I owe women the same courtesy.

Absaroka

[KimberlyS]

Christine I agree with you on one point. FLIP FLOPS should be outlawed for any wear but the beach and similar places. Or getting a pedicure. LOL

While I do not like the fact that womans wear has gotten so casual and shows a lot more skin in cleavage, that is fashion and changing society. Men have gone the same casual path and I do not expect women to do any different. I would still say in most cases a GG is usually better dressed than her husband/BF/SO when going places together.

KimberlyS-CD
joe in a skirt

[Curly(SO)]

I love flip flops

[KimberlyS]

I love flip flops

Figures. LOL

I actually like flip flops also for quick out to the yard or garage trips. But most flip flops are terrible for the feet and not meant for all day wear. There are some that are getting better support but still most are not. And what really ticks me off is going some place where the attire is dressy and gals wear nice outfits with flip flops. GAG!!

And talk about dangerous. My daughter watched a friend of hers not be able to stop her bike due to wearing flip flops. Bottom of a hill she hit a curb and went flying. And I have seen many people trip and some fall due to wearing flip flops.

Many mules and open back shoes are the same bad for the feet and can be dangerous to wear. Of course heels in general are dangerous. LOL but I love them. Like every shoe, clothing item or everything, it has it place.

[DonnaT]

My wife gave me a pair of flip-flop style slippers.

How does one get passed the feeling that they are going to fall off the feet when walking? I keep wanting to curl my toes to get a grip, but there's nothing to grip.