Fashion and its relation to culture

Feedback.pdxradio.com message board: Politics and other things: Fashion and its relation to culture
Author: Alfredo_t
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - 6:03 pm
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From looking at old photographs, it seems as though in much of the 20th century--up to the early 1960s--people dressed very formally, compared to today's standards. Unless they were working in farms, factories, or other such dirty or dangerous environments, men wore suits, ties and hats. Women wore dresses, hats, and pumps or high-heels.

Formal dress seems a bit alien to people of my generation (Generation-X) and to younger folks. For the most part, guys my age are only likely to wear suits to weddings, funerals, church, and job interviews. A lot of us have difficulty putting on ties because tying a Windsor knot is somewhat of a lost art! Many of the 20 and 30-something women of today appear very clumsy when they have to walk in high-heels.

How and why have fashions trended toward the informal? Is this a good thing, or not?

Author: Kennewickman
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - 7:17 pm
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It all started with the " Hippies"..

The baby boomer generation brought on the casual dress in the form of bell bottoms, liesure suits and open collar body shirts. Birkenstocks,loud brazen patterns for colorful body wear, unconventional thinking and clothing to go along with it. However, the baby boomers held on to some of the previous generation's formal traditions when it came to workday dress up and other formal occasions. Baby boomers started what we now call " Casual Fridays". I still see that here on my job every friday in the administrative end of this business.

This tradition has infiltrated into the follwing generations to an even greater extent .

Author: Vitalogy
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - 8:03 pm
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I may never wear a tie again. I don't own a suit. I don't even have a sport coat. I do have a bunch of ties though, but haven't worn one in 7 years or so.

At work I dress snappy casual: Dress shoes, slacks, golf shirt if it's warm, collared long sleave shirt if it's cold-no tie of course. Thing is, I could wear whatever I wanted to work, jeans or a tie, my choice. I choose to keep it easy and comfortable.

When I'm not at work, I'm casual. Jeans, shirts, sweaters, fleece, pullover, shorts, sandals. I'm all about the comfort, look, and price. Brands don't mean shit to me.

Author: Chris_taylor
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - 8:15 pm
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My wife and I were downtown yesterday to look at a new place called "Icebreakers" about a block west of Powell's Books. It's clothing made from 100 percent wool. It's an Australian company slowly making it's way into the US market. The store in Portland is their first leap on our soil.

The fashion trend is 20 something. Meaning when I put on an extra large polo shirt it's snug in the chest and upper arms. Not trying to gloat here but since I work out regularly I have add some muscle weight over the years, so I need a true extra large.

At Icebreakers the clothing was certainly stylish and simple and I really wanted to support them because I appreciate their sustainable practices in making clothes. But that didn't happen.

To stay on topic I think Alfredo is correct about his generation's formal dress. Performing as a mobile DJ at hundreds of weddings with young couples, over the years the trend has had it's rather non-traditional fashion. One such wedding had the groomsmen in black high top tennis shoes, black cuffed jeans, with a white short sleeved button down shirt untucked and red tie loose around the neck. Then to top off this hip-hop outfit a black had with red trim.

The bridesmaids were much more traditional and it was a real clash in styles that actually worked.

However even at some of the weddings those not in the wedding party under the age of 30 were barely making the upscale casual fashion statement. However it's usually the guys that dress down compared to the 20 something women.

Author: Alfredo_t
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - 8:22 pm
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At the last wedding I attended, I wore a suit, and I felt a bit out of place doing so! However, at the wedding of a former classmate, the suit and tie fit right in. The newlyweds at both weddings were in their early 30s. Wedding attire is really hit-and-miss these days.

In writing my original post, I forgot to state the second part of my question: do you believe that changes in the way we dress impact our attitudes about ourselves and about how we deal with other people?

Author: Skybill
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 12:55 am
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I'm with Vitalogy. Brands don't mean anything but over priced to me.

I buy and wear my clothes for comfort and for me. I could care less what anybody else thinks about my clothes.

That being said, I do weatr slacks andf a nice shirt to church or if we go to a nice restaurant and my day to day clothes are clean and (mostly) spot free.

I don't want to go out looking like a slob.

For the most part, it's jeans or jean shorts (worn up where they are supposed to be worn, not with the belt below my butt) and a pull over shirt or nice T shirt.

I wear a size OT (Omar the Tentmaker) so I generally stick with a solid color so I don't look like a walking circus tent!

Author: Darktemper
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 7:30 am
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I'm just glad it's socially acceptable to now wear pajama's, slippers, and a bathrobe while shopping at Wal-Mart!

Author: Kennewickman
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 9:01 am
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Ya, I have my 40 year High School reunion comming up here this summer. Fort Vancouver High.

I notice that on the invitations they felt the need to to spell out what to wear. At the friday night event , Green Meadows country club : No shorts or Tee Shirts. The Saturday night event, its a formal dinner at Royal Oaks Country Club, they have ; collared shirts only, no jeans or sweats ! Well duh !

I was surprised that they even had to put that in there especially for the dinner affair ! Seems like common sense to me, especially for those of us now all 58 eight years old !

But, then I suppose if they dont put it in writing there is always some clown out there who would show up in a tank top.

Author: Darktemper
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 9:10 am
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"Trappers Stink"....."Plainsmen Rule"

Author: Chris_taylor
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 9:22 am
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My wife and I have been getting into natural fiber clothing the past few years. The clothing feels so good and the sustainable practices that are used to make the clothing is something we can support. We try to buy as much locally as possible.

At home/work I usually wear bamboo T shirts and socks, organic cotton whenever possible. Bamboo is antimicrobial which means you can sweat like pig and they won't stink. Especially nice for us smelly guys.

I have 3 nice suit jackets and 4-5 slacks for my mobile DJ gigs that require a suit and tie. Dress shirts are usually a blend of organic cotton/rayon for breathability on those warm summer outdoor weddings, along with wool slacks.

My workout gear is all natural fibers, hemp workout pants, bamboo T-shirt and socks. I have found that if I buy quality it will lasts longer and I don't need to be constantly buying clothing. I stay with the classics too.

Author: Missing_kskd
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 9:25 am
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I like solid colors, basic patterns, no logos.

Most of the time it's casual for me. Once in a blue moon, I'll don a suit for a big deal where it's expected.

If the clothing feels good and looks decent, I'm up for it. Anything beyond that is a waste.

I get to pull the geek / guru bit, so as to avoid the tie for all but the most formal of things. Damn happy to do it too. The tie has got to be the silliest and most useless bit of clothing there is.

Author: Kennewickman
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 12:31 pm
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RED AND WHITE ...fight fight !

Fart' Vancouver High...Go to Shumway and learn the dum-way....

Author: Darktemper
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 1:06 pm
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Exterminate the "River Rats".

Author: Roger
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 1:07 pm
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Better school cheer:

That's all right, that's ok,
you will work for us someday.

Ghetto school cheer:

That's all right, that's ok
You'll buy your drugs from us someday.

has nothing to do with fashion.

....I'm just glad it's socially acceptable to now wear pajama's, slippers, and a bathrobe while shopping at Wal-Mart!

The classics are ALWAYS in style!

Author: Darktemper
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 1:12 pm
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You know I acually feel safer when at the mall and I see a gang of kids who all have their saggy ass pants sagging to the knees. Why?? Well, if they steal my wallet it'd be easy to chase them down as they would not be able to run very fast now would they!

I saw a kid with a swimsuit like that, boxers hanging out the top, he ran and jumped into the lake and almost drown. The dumb ass couldn't swim with his legs all wrapped up in his sagging trunks!

Author: Alfredo_t
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 1:27 pm
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At my current job, we sometimes have to meet with customers. When a customer comes on-site, I wear a button-up shirt, a tie, slacks, and dress shoes. I have not yet had to visit a customer's site, although I would probably dress similarly. A suit would be overkill, in my opinion.

Normally, I would not wear a tie. The only items, which I might otherwise wear, that I consider off-limits for the office are: shorts, sweat pants, t-shirts, and flip-flops.

As far as hair and grooming go, until New Year's I was sporting what some described as a Tony Orlando look; I let the moustache get to the point that it was almost turning into a handlebar style. Then, a friend begged me that the long hair, big sideburns, and moustache had to go. I complied, thinking that this might have the side effect that this might create a look that makes a better impression on customers. However, the looks that this friend suggested just looked a little too boring and "Gen-Y" for my tastes.

Author: Motozak2
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 2:19 pm
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Here's what the Jargon File says about suits:
1. Ugly and uncomfortable 'business clothing' often worn by non-hackers. Invariably worn with a 'tie', a strangulation device that partially cuts off the blood supply to the brain. It is thought that this explains much about the behavior of suit-wearers.


I don't own a suit or tie at all. Closest I come to that is a black sportcoat and a decent pair of black cotton/poly slacks. Usually I will wear a Fox Racing jersey and Vans high-tops with it. That is my idea of "formal" wear.

When I am not wearing that (accounting for about 99% of the time) I am wearing usually a motocross jersey and ripped, beaten-up old blue jeans or Army camouflage pants. I often never leave home without that same pair of Vans or hunting boots firmly strapped upon my feet (in case I should need to shoot the occasional stray elk that may wander into the computer centre.)

Read these two Jargon File articles (actually, these are two small pieces of one large article) for more insight as to how I usually look:
Appearance
Dress


"You know I acually feel safer when at the mall and I see a gang of kids who all have their saggy ass pants sagging to the knees. Why?? Well, if they steal my wallet it'd be easy to chase them down as they would not be able to run very fast now would they!"

Actually you'd be surprised. Those of us who have been wearing our clothes that way for 10+ years on end, who have long since gotten used to it, can actually run rather fast. There's a certain acquired skill to it. Be aware of your surroundings! You may not be as safe as you think you are, buwahaahahaaaahaaaaa..... ;o)

Plainsmen r00l!!

Author: Skybill
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 2:35 pm
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A staple gun and a few well placed staples will hold the pants firmly where they belong!

Author: Alfredo_t
Sunday, April 26, 2009 - 8:07 pm
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Yesterday, I had a haircut: I had the stylist cut the sides and back with a #1 clipper, and I had the top left somewhat longer so that I could put in some gel and spike it ever so slightly. When I got home, I shaved the 5 o'clock shadow mustache and beard that I had going. Later, that day, I went to a party, and some of my friends commented on how much better this look was than when I had the Tony Orlando thing going. They said that old look reminded them of a 70s porn star or a meth dealer.

I noted that of the guys there, all had short hair, and all were clean shaven, except for one who had a very short goatee. At least amongst Gen-X and Gen-Y guys, it seems that long hair is a relic of the grunge era, and there are very few styles of facial hair that are permissible. I feel like we're almost heading back into the 1950s! The only things that don't seem to be on the way back are the suits, skinny ties, hats, and horn-rimmed glasses.

Author: Missing_kskd
Sunday, April 26, 2009 - 9:04 pm
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That is so true, and my recent cut is very similar. I don't do gel though.

Author: Chris_taylor
Sunday, April 26, 2009 - 9:36 pm
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I love changing my look slightly until I get bored with it. Grown out my mustache and for the first time I'm going with a soul patch. My 16 year old nephew suggested I try it.

I used to have a stach years ago when I first met my wife. I wore a gotee for years along with my mullet long hair days. Then my wife said I looked like an old guy trying to look young with the long hair. The hair was gone within a week.

Someone told me this week that mustache's are back in style. Not sure that is true but I'll run with it for now. The wife seems to like it, the jury is out with the kids.

Author: Skeptical
Sunday, April 26, 2009 - 10:31 pm
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Jesus here. That iconic picture of Jesus? Me.

Author: Missing_kskd
Monday, April 27, 2009 - 7:37 am
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You do the Jesus look?

Skep, you long haired hippy! I never suspected. I pegged you for post-modern goth.

:-)

Author: Chris_taylor
Monday, April 27, 2009 - 8:36 am
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Skep- A few years ago I was hired to portray Jesus in a photo shoot based off my head shot through my talent agency.

A three hour make-up job did the trick.

Being Lord and Savior pays pretty good.

Author: Skeptical
Monday, April 27, 2009 - 10:10 am
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Oh, so you can get PAID to be Jesus? I want in on that gig!

KSKD, you're not too far off on goth -- just a few applications of eyeshadow and perhaps mascara will have you crossing the street to avoid me!

Author: Alfredo_t
Monday, April 27, 2009 - 12:01 pm
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A few months ago, I went to a goth-themed bar-hopping birthday party. We had a lot of faux goths there. In the spirit of the party (and under the influence of adult beverages), nail painting and makeup application seemed like a pretty cool thing to do. The next day, though, I thought, "geez, these black fingernails look awfully effeminate!" Thankfully, I had a can of acetone handy.

Author: Motozak2
Monday, April 27, 2009 - 2:39 pm
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"Jesus here. That iconic picture of Jesus? Me."

Me three. Been doing the "long-ish hair" thing since I was in Junior High, about ten years now, more or less. A couple summers ago I tried turning it into a mullet........that pretty much backfired, because I have naturally-curly hair. At this point in the temporal stream I just do the "wash, towel dry and let it go" thing. I generally don't do anything special because I'll almost inevitably be slapping a dirt-bike helmet over it anyways.

But maybe one of these days I'll try turning it into a 'fro..............


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