I was watching a documentary on my local PBS station on saving the San Francisco Bay (At one time after WWII there were plans to fill in most of the bay for land development, making it the SF River rather than the SF Bay. [No joke!]). As with all historical references to San Francisco, there was some film footage and still photos of the '06 earthquake and fire. These were not posed shots, just amateur photographers recording the events of the day. Every time I see these shots the one thing that never ceases to amaze me is the mind set of men and women at that time in regards to clothing.

The quake happened at 5am; one quarter of the city is rubble, fires are starting all over, and here are men and women surveying the situation wearing full suits, with bowler hats and ties; women in walking dresses, gloves and hats!

One of the greatest natural disasters of the 20th century was no excuse to leave the house (if it was still standing) without dressing properly!

Fast forward to the current turn of the century and a lot of people find it hard to wear something other than sweat pants to go to the local market for some milk.