Do you dress for the public?
By mclendon
@mclendon (308)
United States
June 12, 2008 4:27pm CST
When you leave your house, do you get dressed for being in public? Do you care how you look at the grocery store or dropping kids at school? Our culture has gotten so casual that I can't believe how some people are dressed in public. I saw a lady paying for her gas today and she was wearing pajamas and flip-flops. This was a weekday morning, too.
My spouse and I were invited to a theatre production in a nearby city recently and there were people coming into the theatre dressed like they were going to the beach or had just finished their yardwork! People used to dress up in their best evening wear for theatre. Do you think what you wear matters?
2 people like this
27 responses
@fluffysue (1482)
• United States
13 Jun 08
I admit I do not always try very hard when I go out. I will take a shower, put on clean clothes, and have a minimum amount of makeup I have to wear to leave the house, but other than that it depends on my mood. If I am just running around town, jeans or shorts with t-shirt and flip-flops, and wet hair in a ponytail is fine. I draw the line at pajamas (?!) or anything that looks like I could have slept in it. I don't understand the pajama thing, I see it a lot. I also remember when I worked at a supermarket in FL, I used to see women come in with their hair in curlers, sometimes wearing housecoats or muumuus that looked like they should not see the outdoors! I never understood that. If nothing else, I at least make sure I finish getting dressed before I leave!
I agree there are certain standards of dress that should be followed for certain situations. I won't even wear jeans to the theater, even if it is local theater as opposed to Broadway. I think dress pants/skirt or dress would be the way to go. The exception might be going to plays in the park or something. Even so, I would try to wear nice shorts/capris, decent sandals, and a nice top.
If I am going out with friends, I may dress very casually just to hang out at someone's house, but to go to a club (rare event), restaurant, or other nighttime activity, I make a little more of an attempt, even if it is nice jeans with a dressy top and sandals or boots, depending on weather.
1 person likes this
@megumiart (3771)
• United States
12 Jun 08
It really depends on my mood for how I get dressed. If I'm tired or feeling blue, I'll just put on a T-shirt and jeans or something, but if I feel good I'll sometimes take time to pick out a cute emsemble. xD
I would never ever go out in public in pajamas or anything trashy/revealing. I cannot stand when girls,...and even older women do it to, go out in cartoon character pj bottoms and a spaghetti strap tank top with no bra! i think it looks sooo bad and unattractive.
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@sofelele19 (45)
• India
13 Jun 08
That's true and they never really listen when you tell them what you want!thanks for uuuuuuuuuuu
@skydancer (2101)
• United States
13 Jun 08
I care about how I look, but I am not obsessed with it, if that makes any sense. I don't spend countless hours getting ready, however, I do care that my clothes match and coordinate well. If I am just going out in public, I wear something that is form-fitting (but not revealing) like just maybe jeans and a t-shirt or tank top. I don't wear a lot of skirts or dresses because I move around a lot and often feel like I cannot move freely in them. I may wear a cross necklace my mother gave me as well. That is about it... I don't make a huge deal about dressing up if I's just a casual trip to a public place.
As for more formal occasions, I definitely would not dress like I had just finished yardwork! That looks rather scruffy to me. I think church-like attire is probably most appropriate. If it's only semi-formal then I would at the very least wear something a little more upscale than casual jeans and t-shirt attire if I wasn't going to go full out with the formal attire.
I think dress matters for various occasions. Sometimes it can show a certain degree of respect or how seriously you take your job. I realize sometimes things happen and you're hard pressed for time and have to throw something on really fast, but if you have time to dress appropriately, I think it is the good thing to do.
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
13 Jun 08
There is a time and place for everything, and how you dress is one of those things. I dress according to where or what I will be doing. I don't dress like I'm going to the beach or camping if I'm going out to a high-end restruarant, and I don't dress in the latest fashions if I'm going camping. People have forgotten that first impressions make a big difference. I have seen young adults going to a job interview as if they were going to the lake with their friends. I have seen some at stores that I wondered to myself if they have any mirrors in their house. lol
1 person likes this
@SHAMRACK (8576)
• India
13 Jun 08
Dear friend,
I do not dress for public but for myself being well being to those social rules. I try to dress well may be much normal as a presentable object that may be accepted by others and not you say you begger are so poor or should I give you a penny, have you taken bath for those few years so on. I would like to presented decent or casually dress according the social functions also I do care to upheld soicla dignity may be the social law that do not harm others for the harmony of all.
@mclendon (308)
• United States
14 Jun 08
You are right. In the US we are very individualistic. The individual is number one. But this can go too far and undermine society. It is good to sometimes keep in mind how what you do effects others. Upholding the dignity of your culture and society is a good thing.
@optimisticgrl23 (397)
• United States
13 Jun 08
I do tend to dresser nicer when I am going out in public. I have the philosphy that you just never know who you might run into while you are out. I can not believe how relaxed some people dress. I am all for comfort but at least look decent.
@mclendon (308)
• United States
14 Jun 08
I agree. I would be mortified if I ran into someone I hadn't seen in years and I was looking my worst with unwashed hair and sloppy clothes. One day I was at a store and was fussing at my child when a lady beside me suddenly introduced herself as a good friend of my parents. I was embarrassed that she overheard me fussing, but at least I wasn't embarrassed by my appearance.
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
12 Jun 08
LOL do I dress for the public? HELL NO!! I dont waste my time doing my hair all pretty, putting on make up wearing a nice outfit blah blah blah just to go to the school or Walmart etc..thats just ridiculous IMO...NOW, If i'm going out clubbing or to dinner or whatever then yes I get dolled up but thats STILL NOT for the public, thats for ME...Bottomline for me is this, as long as I'm clean and presentable then I could care less....
1 person likes this
@mclendon (308)
• United States
12 Jun 08
I usually wear light makeup no matter where I go and I have wash and go hair for the most part. It's good you dress to feel good when you go out to dinner,etc. I have read advice from successful professionals that even if you work at home you should get up and get dressed because it makes you feel better about yourself and you will work better. I guess you can party better!
@pkc3000 (1266)
• India
13 Jun 08
Dear Mclendon I do not think that I wear my dress for public. I am wearing dress for my comfort and also according to my wish/mood. Whenever we are going to any public place we must wear well dressed clothes to maintain the decorum of the function which we are to attend. Wearing clothes can reflect your choice, personality and other various things about your character, in which society you belongs etc.
pkc3000
1 person likes this
@taface412 (3175)
• United States
12 Jun 08
I am guilty if running around town sometimes in my PJs, but thankfully I live in a small town when I venture into the big city I do try to get dressesd for the public. But you are right. Not many people even think about what they wear or how their hair looks, etc. It is laziness and honestly like I said I someitmes fall upon that, b/c I am too tired, etc. But I have noticed I let myself go due to this...and am taking a conscious effort to get back on track.
And I have to look professional at work wearing scrubs and I always make sure that they are not wrinkled and I make sure that I look like someone I would want taking care of my mother....and I have to remember sometimes I run into family outside the facility OoooPs LOL
Good points. Kudos to you
1 person likes this
@mclendon (308)
• United States
12 Jun 08
I live in a pretty small town - or outside of one - and I feel that I have to look presentable in public because people know me or know of me and my children. I'm afraid they'll think I'm out-of-control or losing it if I look too... ummm... you know.
@jczvrse (169)
• United States
13 Jun 08
I like to be comfortable in public, I don't mean wear pajamas to the store or to take the kids to school that is beyond comfort. I like to be comfortable but still look decent, I don't always wear make-up and do my hair up but I'm clean and hair combed, I can not be June Cleaver though that look is very nice but I just don't have the time or energy.
1 person likes this
@momoftwingles (129)
• United States
12 Jun 08
Well flip flops are acceptable foot attire for just about anywhere (LOL, see my avatar)...otherwise I'd be barefoot...I do have "dressy" flip flops, though, LOL...
I dress simply, modestly. Sometimes, especially when my youngest was a smaller toddler, I just couldn't wear a skirt, I'd have been chasing him under the car and flashing everyone as my skirt flew in the breeze.... But some days, let me tell ya...always modest, but I just can't bring myself to get out of sweats when I go to the grocery store... I have three children with special needs, we homeschool, live on a farm, some mornings, after meds (and three times a week I have to squeeze in infusions for one of the boys...another half an hour of time that I feel like we don't have), I cook virtually all of our food from scratch... there are days that I kind of say "FORGET IT" and sweats and a t-shirt or jeans and a t-shirt is what I get out of the house in...the boys are always in nice clothes, and we are all always clean and modest, but some days...sweats is about as good as its gonna get.
1 person likes this
@mclendon (308)
• United States
12 Jun 08
That sounds reasonable. I have three kids with special needs, too. I cook at home alot but not necessariy "from scratch" every time. We also live on a "farm" of sorts. We're way out in the country, but we aren't yet working the farm - just a couple of chickens, a garden, and some fruit trees until my husband can cut back on or quit his day job. But I work part-time and usually have to dress for the office. I always feel odd when I pick up the kids at school because it seems everyone else is sweats or jeans.
@Kanesha1028 (154)
• United States
13 Jun 08
I always dress for the public. I think it says alot about you as a person.
1 person likes this
@dawnmiller (76)
• United States
13 Jun 08
I personally do not feel that I need to dress up to go to the grocery store or local shopping center, I normally just wear jeans and a decent shirt. Nothing torn, sexy, or dirty looking but just comfy. Now I do feel that sometimes people are too lax when they go to a nice dinner or theater. That is when I would dress up. I also do not feel I need to get all dolled up to drop off my child at school.
@mclendon (308)
• United States
14 Jun 08
I don't get dolled up on purpose to take my kids to school, but some parents show up barely dressed or in wrinkled shorts and shirts that looked like they slept in them. If that's the only place I usually see them it gives me the impression that they are lazy. Jeans and a decent shirt for everyday errands makes sense.
@Sabembermoff (7)
• Canada
13 Jun 08
I always try to look my best when I'm in public.
If it's like, 10 at night and I'm just running to the grocery store for something I've got a sudden craving for, I don't exactly try to make myself look amazing, but pretty much the rest of the time I try to put some effort into my appearance.
I just like looking nice in public, and there's always the possibility I'll run into an ex, and everyone always wants to look amazing when they run into an ex, lol.
Or there's the possibility I could run into someone I like, so I don't want to look like a slob when I run into them either.
I think it is important to try and look nice. If you dress sloppily, it's can lower other people's opinions of you, and doesn't give a very good first impression at all.
1 person likes this
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
13 Jun 08
nope. i wear clothes not to impress people or impress the public. i wear clothes that i know i will be comfortable with for the rest of the occasion. it doesn't mean that i will attend a wedding wearing shorts and tubedtop because i am comfortable wearing them. what i mean is, i will dress up properly depending on each occasion in clothes that i will be comfortable in wearing.
but on ordinary days, if i just need to go and do my groceries, i am okey with jogging pants, sleeveless tops and rubber shoes.
anne
1 person likes this
@Madona1 (2096)
• Gibraltar
13 Jun 08
Yes, I do think we wear matter. For different occasions, I like to have different outfits and I hope people can do the same. As this is not only the culture, but also the respect for the public. Imagine a client walks in a restaurant with his dirty hands and filthy clothes; he will only make others lose the appetite and have a bad time.
True, our culture is varying, more and more people prefer casual clothing, but it doesn’t mean pajamas and flip-flops can replace the evening wear. Without wearing a tie, a scarf, jelly hair or certain accessories, it doesn’t matter. But a decent outfit is still required in many important occasions.
1 person likes this
@jenyenh (205)
• Maldives
13 Jun 08
Yes I do think that what you wear matters. If you remember when you have new clothes and you wear it for the first time there is a feeling of confidence and a boast to your self esteem. This will affect your moods which affects the whole day attitude.
@ynigz1 (472)
• China
13 Jun 08
I dress the different from home and office. I don't like the suit, but when we are working, we need wear suit. In the weekend, I could wear which I 'd like. The leasure clothes is my choice, it's comfortable. I needn't think other's opion about my clothes, I can dress for myself.
1 person likes this
@honeydew82174 (1720)
• United States
13 Jun 08
I shower and dress and put my make up on before I leave the house! I wouldnt want to appear to be a slob. It also makes me feel good about myself when I look nice.
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@appleeater1990 (15)
• United States
13 Jun 08
I feel that people in todays society have too much on their mind, and they try to always look like they are going on the red carpet. In my opinion if a person is comfortable in what they are wearing then that is how they should dress. There is no person that can tell anyone how to dress. I haave seen what people dressed like in the 80's and before that even the '60's and I feel that they had a good idea of how to dress.
NOONE CAN TELL ANYONE HOW THEY SHOULD DRESS.
WAHT YOU WEAR IS TOTALLY UP TO YOU.
1 person likes this