Demon Denim - Down With Denim

[Kerr the Walker]

I love XMTS for providing a place where we can intelligently debate clothing.

Unfortunately, cultural revolutions and fashion go hand in hand. We've spent the last few decades making our world faster and more convenient and comfortable, and rebelling against the confining traditions of our predecessors-- it only follows that our clothing would reflect that.

What's really sad is when you attend a Ballet in your nicest dress only to sit next to a man in a pair of jeans.

My lady and I went to the opera one evening, and it being the opera we were dressed to the nines. Her in a lovely evening gown, and I in a tux. (A fantastic $20 eBay find FWIW)

There were a smattering of others dressed like we were but many were not. Even had a gent (and I use that term loosely) walk by us and mutter under his breath "that's just too much." I was very close to replying that he looked like a bum but I bit my tongue instead.

I'm all for comfort and utility. Jeans have both. There are times when jeans are my attire of choice. Working on the jeep, yard work, riding the motorcycle, etc. There are certain activities for which jeans are appropriate clothing. It is unfortunate that the appropriateness of attire has been removed from the equation for a great many folk these days.

[KiltedBrewer]

What's really sad is when you attend a Ballet in your nicest dress only to sit next to a man in a pair of jeans.

When my wife and I went to our local production of The Nutcracker this past December, we dressed up. Not formal or anything, but nice. You can see the photo here. With the exception of one couple in a suit and evening dress, we were by far the best dressed people there.

Now, I know it was a non-professional dance company and all, but most of the people were in jeans and sweatshirts or similar clothes. I feel that by looking nice, I was showing respect to my wife and to the performers (and also to myself.) Plus, it's fun to have an occasion to wear nicer clothing than my everyday wear.

David

[The Wizard of BC]

It is just that refusal to dress appropriately that the original article was trying to get across.

The Uniform of the American Male.

Denim Jeans
T-Shirt with some saying logo or design on it.
Some sort athletic shoe.
A Ball Cap.

You can see them from about three blocks away when you are overseas.
I learned this from the Military. A German friend pointed it out to me one day in Amsterdam.
As soon as it was pointed out I could then see it. And that is when I shipped all my jeans home.
I own, but do not wear, a T-shirt with a design on it.
I never wear a T-Shirt as outer clothing.
I do not own Athletic shoes.

The entire look screams Ugly American to me now.
In fact the US State Department teaches classes to Embassy Guards on how to stay alive in foreign countries, and lesson 1 is burn your American Male Uniform. It just makes you a target.

The dumbing down, the dressing down, is a form of "follow the monkey in front of you" thinking to me.

I now think jeans are uncomfortable. I find they bind and constrict when you move. I didn't think this until I started to wear the Kilt. Now, I have to be climbing a ladder or painting or gardening to even pull a pair out of the drawer.

[ali8780]

Now, I know it was a non-professional dance company and all, but most of the people were in jeans and sweatshirts or similar clothes. I feel that by looking nice, I was showing respect to my wife and to the performers (and also to myself.) Plus, it's fun to have an occasion to wear nicer clothing than my everyday wear.

David

I totally agree, and you two make a very handsome couple!

[Larry124]

A local public Country Club offers meals throughout the day on Easter Sunday.
Seating for 200+. New groups arriving and departing constantly.
Good for extended family groups with no one able to entertain a large group at home.

Up until very recently half of the enjoyment of that event was that everyone got to see and to be seen in their Easter outfits.
A virtual Easter fashion parade.

This year?
Half of the crowd was dressed down. Thoroughly dressed down.
Both genders and all ages. I mean ultra-casual. Raggedy. It was awful.
Beat-up denim jeans to an Easter meal in public?

I'm no expert or exemplar. I do not dress up very often. But I do for Easter.

To me it was mystifying…and sad.

[kilty]

A local public Country Club offers meals throughout the day on Easter Sunday.
Seating for 200+. New groups arriving and departing constantly.
Good for extended family groups with no one able to entertain a large group at home.

Up until very recently half of the enjoyment of that event was that everyone got to see and to be seen in their Easter outfits.
A virtual Easter fashion parade.

This year?
Half of the crowd was dressed down. Thoroughly dressed down.
Both genders and all ages. I mean ultra-casual. Raggedy. It was awful.
Beat-up denim jeans to an Easter meal in public?

I'm no expert or exemplar. I do not dress up very often. But I do for Easter.

To me it was mystifying…and sad.

I think you can blame this on the fact that establishments can no longer enforce dress codes. Why? Because it's against the law. Discrimination. They can only "recommend". Although I'm a firm believer in wearing jeans, it's always "where appropriate". Wearing jeans to Easter Sunday brunch is NOT appropriate IMHO.

[English Bloke]

... establishments can no longer enforce dress codes. Why? Because it's against the law...

That's interesting. Where I'm from, management still retains the right to refuse service provided it's not on the basis of race, religion, gender or orientation. Turning up to a club and even some pubs on a Saturday night wearing jeans/trainers will get definately the doormen twitching.

To that end I generally avoid functions where others tell me how I should and should not preserve my modesty. I do go to formal functions on occasion and I am always properly attired at such. It would be discourteous to my hosts to do otherwise but it's the company I'm there for not the fact I've got full bib an' tucker on. I've also got mates who just cannot get their heads around why I would want to be seen out kilted and see it as a "look at me everybody" statement. All these mates wear jeans as a first choice and blend in nicely. Denim does provide anonimity if that's what you want.

[macwilkin]

I think you can blame this on the fact that establishments can no longer enforce dress codes. Why? Because it's against the law. Discrimination. They can only "recommend". Although I'm a firm believer in wearing jeans, it's always "where appropriate". Wearing jeans to Easter Sunday brunch is NOT appropriate IMHO.

I'd like to see the statute that declares dress codes a form of discrimination.

T.

[kilty]

I'd like to see the statute that declares dress codes a form of discrimination.

T.

You would be surprised at some of the things that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms restricts/prohibits.

When my wife and I went to a posh hotel a few years ago, we were dressed formally because the hotel literature requested such.

We were surprised to see many people in casual dress to include jeans. In speaking with the maitre d' I asked him about that and he replied that it was against the law to turn clients away because of how they are dressed. Obvioulsy if they are attired shabily, they could refuse to serve them. But not simply for being attired casually even though the setting would normally require formal.

Not my words. His.

[macwilkin]

You would be surprised at some of the things that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms restricts/prohibits.

When my wife and I went to a posh hotel a few years ago, we were dressed formally because the hotel literature requested such.

We were surprised to see many people in casual dress to include jeans. In speaking with the maitre d' I asked him about that and he replied that it was against the law to turn clients away because of how they are dressed. Obvioulsy if they are attired shabily, they could refuse to serve them. But not simply for being attired casually even though the setting would normally require formal.

Not my words. His.

Very good then...I wondered if it was in the Charter of Rights & Freedoms.

T.