No – you are not too harsh. I too am appalled by attire that is seen on the street – and especially when I see it on my own adult children! I am glad we don’t have to wear hose, hats, and gloves any more – but slippers, pajama bottoms, and “holey” jeans/pants are not for public viewing.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for saying it!!!

I don’t think it is a harsh comment (airport attire is generally leaning to the yoga wear/loungewear lately – maybe the airline delays are too blame?) at all.

I agree with Maris that I am glad we have left the days of strict public formality behind. After college I worked for Frederick and Nelson Dept Store in Seattle and inthose days women were not allowed to wear slacks to work! This was going on in the early 80’s – not that long ago. We wore those power suits with distinction – full on hose, accessories, etc.

I love it when I see people dressed with thought and care and will try to compliment something about the outfit if I can sometimes.

As I understand, this comment comes more from the UK or US/Canada, but here in Northern Europe or Belgium (I’ve lived there for around 4 years) it is often the opposite! Girls especially overdress, wearing 3-inch heels around the university campus and wear more (in my view) night time than day time make up, which does tire the skin a whole lot. But if talking about the UK or the US/Canada, I think Clinton Kelly is right, i was often appalled by how people walk out of their homes. I remember very well when i visited a university in Ottowa (Canada) and some of the students came into lectures with their PJ’s! It truly was a shock, as here in northern Europe, no one would dare come to university dressed like this…

Not too harsh at all. A faux pas that always catches MY eye is bra bulge. And it’s not a weight thing I’m talking about. It’s a bra thing. If you’re going to wear a snug top or dress, just invest in one of those Sassybax bras and you’ll look much more polished — which makes you look more “dressed.” I bet even Clinton would approve of this advice!

I completely agree, especially about how people will dress when flying. I can understand the desire to be comfortable on a long flight, but that’s no excuse to wear your (sometimes dirty!) pajamas. I want to be comfortable while on a plane just as much as the next person, but I do so by wearing cotton jersey dresses or stretchy skirts with tights and flat boots, with a big scarf for warmth. I’m perfectly comfortable and still retain my dignity in public.

Good to hear, ladies.

I don’t think Clinton Kelly was referring to airport attire only. I’m almost certain he meant in general, at least that’s my perception of his answer and certainly a point of view that I share. I realize that he and I are in the fashion game and that in itself requires us to look a little smarter than normal, but still, I’m with Clinton 100%.

Well I certainly approve of your advice Lisa, and I like your stylish flying outfit Kristen.

It is not a harsh comment at all! I am always so astonished at the amount of pajama pants I see worn in public these days. When did it become acceptable to get out of bed and walk out the front door for the day without bothering to change your clothes and comb your hair? It just reeks of laziness. Not to mention that I am always terrified that they are going to smell. :S

Maybe if enough “high profile” people start targeting such behavior/dress in articles and interviews some of it will stop. At least we can hope, right?

I am always amazed that in certain parts of the USA women dress daily as if they are going camping. So lacking in style. Linda

I’m with you. I’m not, as Angie said, “in the fashion game,” and I’m appalled by the way my peers dress. I have found in my experience that when I make an effort to appear polished, I am not only treated with more courtesy, but I also feel better about myself and treat myself with more respect. I think the “underdressed” trend in my generation is a symptom of the general lack-of-respect that my generation feels.

I completely agree with Clinton. As someone who moved to US from Europe a couple of years ago, I just can’t get used to uber-casual wear everywhere. Wrong length pants bother me too, but I wish people would just wear real well fitting clothes, not PJs, yoga pants etc. in the public.

Wholeheartedly. (I also cringe when I see flesh peeking out when it’s not supposed to, high pant hems like you, and too much cleavage)

Everything is just too casual these days. And when you try to wear something normal you get ragged on for dressing up.

Fabulously Broke in the City
“Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver.“

I’d say being underdressed is a bigger fashion faux pas than incorrect pants length – though one may follow from the other. The casual trend in the U.S. has led to a serious lack of fashion knowledge.

One can be casual and still look smart. No matter what you think about WNTW, they’ve done a good job raising awareness in this area.

I completely agree…not too harsh at all. Underdressing shows a lack of respect for ones’ self and the rest of us who have to see it. I don’t think we need to OVER dress, though. Although my “smart casual” has been labeled “dressy” by many.

Sadly, I agree too.

I would much rather be overdressed for something than underdressed. But FB makes a good point when she says that we are sometimes ragged on for being “dressed up.” Or worse, we are sometimes seen as being arrogant fashionistas, like we spend so much time shopping and getting dressed in the morning that other areas of our lives are somehow lacking attention. All because we don’t roll out of bed in our pajamas and go straight out into public.

I totally agree. There is a way to dress stylishly and appropriately for each occasion – and it is possible to be comfortable doing so! Sadly, I see sub-par dressing far too often in my work place. I am always the most dressed up one in the office, but I’ve gotten used to it. By “dressed up” I mean not wearing jeans and sneakers. When I am dressed well, I feel so much better and more productive.

I completely agree. I work in the internet industry and I like to dress up. Everytime I wear heels and a skirt, I get asked if I’ve got an interview. Maybe I like to dress up? It makes me feel more powerful, able to do my job and there’s a distinct separation between work and home life.

I wholeheartedly agree, especially with FB and Ana. There is such a relaxed atmosphere in Florida, truly anything goes. I receive compliments on the street from strangers, but am fussed at by friends, who imply I make them look bad just because I don’t want to go to lunch in shorts. I dress much more casually these days, than when I lived in Memphis, just to fit in. (I don’t go too far, though!)

I think one can look good in a ‘casual’ outfit, but sometimes it requires thought. And bathing regularly. Granted, sometimes I do stop at the grocery store on my way home from the gym, which is probably inappropriate, but even if I’m running out of the house and only in a pair of jeans and a tshirt, I try to make sure they are clean, free from most dog hair and at least have on a pair of earrings. How hard is that?

People don’t realize that what we wear reflects how we feel about ourselves. And when you look sloppy outside … well, you know how you feel inside.

Totally disagree!! I may not like a person’s sloppy style, but their job is not to look good for me. If it’s a workplace or a professional event, definitely certain codes (mutually accepted, etc) rule, but if you’re running errands, at the airport, etc. there is not particular dress code required. Why would there be? We dress nicely as part of a social contract (which is not universal at all!); if you’re running errands, or at the airport, you are not at a social or professional function and your look is your own business. And, Laura, what we wear does not always reflect our self-esteem; plenty of careers (Academia, for instance) privilege other skills over appearance.

I agree with this. Even on days when I don’t leave the house, I change out of pajamas and into jeans and a decent top. I find there’s a direct correlation to how much I get done in a day. Being put together in appearance does affect how put together one is during tasks and how one is treated. Plain and simple. And I don’t understand this pajama travel thing… I always choose one of my nicest outfits to travel in. Who knows who you’ll meet?

I’m 9 weeks postpartum right now, and getting dressed is a nightmare. Pre-pregnancy clothes don’t fit, but maternity is huge and falls off. I was complaining to my friend, who is a classic underdresser, and she asked why I just don’t wear my sweat/yoga pants out? She doesn’t understand why I just can’t do it. I went out and bought 2 pair of inexpensive pants to tide me over for awhile. Yes, I’m wearing the same pants a lot, but at least I’m not wearing my sweat pants in public. I also get teased for being “dressed up” when I’m wearing dark denim and a blouse. If it’s not a tee then you are dressed fancy.

I actually love the formal look of the 40s. Love it.

I’m shocked to hear that some people are still wearing PJ’s in public. I thought that trend-generation grew up.
Yesterday while shopping with my 12 yr old GD I saw a woman try on and purchase a nice pair of jeans that were so short on her (hit at the top of the front of her foot, with a 4″ heel standing alone behind) I almost said out loud to her that they were to short. But I chickened out. I thought if I were Angie than I’d have the credentials to say something.
I do people watch and alot of blah dressed people go by which doesn’t bother me. I usually take notice when the real offenders or very nicely dressed go by. One of the worst scenarios I can think of right now is a woman teetering on spike heels on a cobble stone walk way or something like that. I suppose in her mind she did put an effort into what she was wearing. To me that is much worse than someone in yoga clothes.

I agree on the ‘too casually dressed” comment and its corollary — inappropriately dressed for the occasion or the weather. The latter covers a lot — such as wearing shorts and skimpy top when it’s 22 degrees outside (and typically, pairing this get up with Uggs). Or dressing way too provocatively for work or church or other situation where a bare midriff is out of bounds. Or wearing clothing that’s inappropriate given one’s body size or age. Of course each of us has a different level of tolerance in gauging what’s appropriate and what isn’t. Many times on WNTW, they tell clients that the clients’ ideas of personal style is bordering on clownish, or childish, or sloppy. One time, they told a woman who seemed pleased that people crossed the street to avoid her, because she looked sort of scary/mentally ill, that that reaction just wasn’t what most people want.

There’s a way to be appropriate, be individual and be stylish without being freakish.

I think the new First Family will have an effect on fashion and dressing in this country. It’s no stretch of the imagination to envision more emphasis on looking pulled together. Also, on more affordable, colorful, fun dressing.

I too believe in the importance in dressing the way you want to be treated, whether in airplanes, the workplace, stores, or anywhere. My experience is that the way you dress is the way you perform, for better or worse, because dressing with intent puts your mind in a better place.

Angie agree with you and Clinton. I do know that some people may have depression or other issues that make it difficult for them to look dignified but it’s those who “know” what they are doing and do it anyway that make it revolting.

Although the tone of his comment IS pretty harsh, the message is a sound one. How we dress is a reflection of how we feel about ourselves. Respect yourself, dress accordingly. Simple, and sometimes annoying, but true.

Both Angie and Mr. Kelley are correct, and not too harsh.

We’ve swung the pendulum from not leaving the house without gloves, etc. on in the ’40s & 50’s to the pajamification of America.

Tim Gunn said it correctly in this video clilp: http://shoppingblog.dallasnews.....ifica.html

on the flip side it cracks me up seeing women shop in the mall wearing pointy toed stilletos and super tight jeans. i just think of their poor aching feet!!!!

dressing appropriately for the occasion is a real challenge for me.

the key concept, to paraphrase many others, is dressing ‘appropriately’. Are flip flops appropriate? Maybe for the beach/pool. Every day wear? Ewww. I used to work out of various courthouses and what I saw still haunts me. No one says you have to wear a suit, but unless you’re in prison jumpsuits, respect the surroundings.

I agree about the too-casual clothes and I think the harsh tone is warranted.

Angie, are you saying the crime of wearing one’s pants at the incorrect length is more prevalent or worse than general underdressing?

In either case I’m glad to hear you saying it. I’m so tired of seeing a) women whose shoes have chewed through the back hem of her pants and b) (mostly middle aged) women whose pants are MUCH too short.

Carissa, that video is great, thank you posting it! I love how Tim Gunn says a Croc looks like a “plastic hoof. How can anyone take you seriously?” Classic.

I agree with Clinton 150%! (And Tim Gunn as well.) It’s not about spending a lot of money or being oppressed by The Man to wear 4-inch heels. It’s about looking like you respect yourself and other people! How truly lazy have people become that they can’t even put on a pair of jeans before going to Starbucks in the morning? (And I’m with Risa, I don’t want to stand next to people who look like they smell! lol)

And second only to the hideous PJ’s in public are the low-rise sweat pants with JUICY on the butt. Please, people. Nobody wants to see that.

I’ve also found that I get treated SO much better at the airport when I put a little effort into my travel outfit. I don’t wear anything fancy-pants, but it’s easy to be comfortable without looking like a slob. Like it or not, we send out signals based on the effort we put in to ourselves, whether it’s clothing, smiling at people, or the words we use.

I’ve been following the blog a while, but this is the first time I’ve been compelled to comment. Being appropriately dressed for the occasion does something for one’s mental state also. When you are dressed appropriately for work, one is more likely to execute their duties more professionally than when one is dressed is pj’s or flip flops. Showing your bare mid section is not appropriate at work, in the classroom or the airplane. I don’t care to see your rear end hanging out of your torn jeans. While I don’t advocate a full return to the restrictive styles of the past (girdles, hats, gloves, etc) there is something about seeing a man and women dressed with thought. They carry themselves with more purpose and thought to what they are trying to represent. We should all dress with more thought, care and consideration.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading these comments. Thank you for validating how Clinton’s statement.

Elizabeth and Shiny, sorry that I was unclear. I meant that incorrect pant lengths are more prevalent than the act of under dressing (not a worse faux pas). I see plenty of fably turned out ladies wearing high waters. Underdressed men and woman usually wear their pants too short anyway.

You do not need to be dressy to be well dressed. Casual can be stylish for sure. But what is actually considered casual and beyond casual is highly dateable. I almost wish we were back in the age of gloves, hats and hose. Now that the pendulum has swung the other way, things have been taken to an unstylish extreme. That’s why I’m not empathetic when you wear workout gear to the grocery store because before you know it you’ll be wearing yoga pants and fleece on a daily basis and that’s NOT on. You have to set boundaries. If you don’t, there’s no end in sight.

Ana, I would rather be overdressed than underdressed too. I have never felt awkward being overdressed, but have felt AWFUL being under dressed.

Carissa, I love your word: “pajamafication”. Brilliant.

Does anyone else remember when women and girls would go out in public with a head full of big rollers and maybe a chiffon scarf tied over it all? Remember when it was uncouth for a man (let alone a woman) to be in public in a tee shirt (which was underwear!) We keep needing reminders that appropriate appearance matters. Too many people look like they have dressed for the beach or for bed rather than for work or church or class. Let’s hope some listen to Clinton’s wake up call. In the meantime we can set the fashion bar higher for our aquaintances and hope they join the fun of looking good.

I find the way we dress in this country to be a national embarrassment–how is that for harsh?!

I have experienced both ends of the faux pas spectrum: those who overdress, and those who underdress. When I was in HS, the girls would come dressed like 30 year old professional women. It was ridiculous to see them teetering off to algebra in 3″ stiletto pumps. I thought they looked absolutely stupid, as if they had just finished playing dressup in mom’s closet.

In college, wearing pajama pants was a way of life. I was not stylish by any stretch of the imagination especially in the beginning. Part of it was just out of necessity: we were in painting, sculpture, and drawing classes all week and it got VERY messy. In my first year, I would just wear my painting clothes everywhere…even if I wasn’t painting. But after that I realized I should step it up now that I’m not a teenager anymore. Unfortunately most people never seem to reach that conclusion and dress like slobs well beyond their teenage years. And it’s not as easy as saying “I’ll dress up when I have the occasion to.” I find that people who don’t dress well consistently can’t just switch gears so easily when the time comes.

When people ask why they should care what they look like at the airport, at the grocery store, etc. I never really know how to respond. Why wouldn’t you care? I find it no less difficult and no more uncomfortable to put on a knit top, a fabulous pair of jeans, and Cons.

It is so important to dress for how you want to be treated. If you look like you care, people will care about you.

I now live and go to college in New York City, although I was born and raised in Ohio. After the initial shock that, dear lord, not everyone wears sweatpants and hoodies everywhere, I started doing things like reading this blog and taking great care in selecting a new wardrobe. Now I am referred to as “well put-together” by other city folk.

Hilariously and sadly enough, I went back home for the holidays, and was actually lectured by my mother about being an eyesore because I no longer fit into the lazy, classless Ohio sense of “style.”

No wonder the Midwest gets so much crap!

I hope the tone shifts soon, for the sake of everyone.

Sorry all, I’m with Chelsea. It might not be what I choose to do, but no one owes you *anything* but basic cleanliness and minimal modesty in their airport clothing choices. It’s one thing to say “Such and such is unattractive” It’s another thing entirely to claim it’s “inexcusable.” For me, fashion is a choice, not an obligation. Otherwise it would be no fun at all.

Airports are for ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ – you should look smart for your first and last impression. Hand luggage is for your on the plane cassual gear that you will again change just before landing. Flip flops are for showering in at the gym.

HI Angie,

I totally agree with Clinton. When we moved to the USA I thought everyone was wearing their pajamas in public. Unfortunately not nice pj’s either.

You are right Angie, you can still be casual and well dressed!!!

Not harsh at all!!! I travel a great deal and I am still amazed at what people will wear in public.

The first thing I thought of was sweat pants and PJ’s-it’s embarassing

PJs in public- how difficult is it to put on a pair of jeans? I get
teased for dressing up for university instead of putting on sweatpants and a tshirt. I know university is often a busy and stressful time for students but that still excuse anyone from putting on some decent clothes. It’s doesn’t have to be smart, it doesn’t have to be uncomfortable, it generally just should not be made from fleece or have the phrase ‘juicy’ written on the back of it. The funny thing about all of this is that some of the girls who wear the sweatpants and tshirt combination generally look like they have put a crazy amount of time into their hair and makeup (much more than me, the ‘over-dressed’ student does).

I don’t think that Clinton Kelly was too harsh. Our standards of dress in the US have sunk way too low–at a time when dressing with minimal propriety has never been cheaper, more comfortable, and within the reach of just about everybody. Unless they just escaped a house fire, there is absolutely no good reason for anyone to go out in their PJs. Modesty is not just about how much skin you’re showing, but also has to do with what’s appropriate. A man going out in public wearing nothing but a set of long johns is 100% covered from his neck to his ankles–and he is immodest. Ironically the fashion industry is to blame for the PJ trend. They came up with grunge in the 90s (much of which looks like flannel PJs) and then lingerie-inspired clothing in the early 2000s. People figured–well, if it’s OK, if not outright fashionable to wear clothing that looks like sleepwear in public, why not wear real sleepwear?

I think the airport is a tough place to judge (there is certainly something to be said for being comfortable if your not in those plush first class seat, uhm, clinton). And I think Clinton often knocks casual clothes too often at times that they’re appropriate.

…but that being said… being from Seattle (and now Brussels) people completely under dress to appropriate places like plays, nice restaurants, etc. makes going out a little less special if everyone isn’t dressed up.

Maya, you crack me up and Amen to your last paragraph.

Katherine, you crack me up too. I have never been to Ohio, but am sort of intrigued after your comment.

On that note, I do pop students and school goers into another category. They get away with loads more and are usually extremely tight on cash, so I’ll give them a little more leeway. But I draw the line at gear and pj’s for anyone in public unless they are lounging, sleeping or sporting.

Joelle, you make excellent points. Food for thought.

Images, I think you hit the nail on the end. Overly casual attire that is seen frequently at smarter venues and restaurants in the US makes the whole experience less special. To show that you’ve made an effort putting yourself together is respectful and decent to those around you AND yourself. In my opinion, it’s as simple as that Chelsea and Rachel.

Although I agree with his statement, the thought of a long plane ride in anything less than sweats makes me want to whimper and cry!! I’m just as guilty at work. Today’s temps were in the low teens and the day was packed with long meetings sandwiched between sessions of modeling a new computer system for our users. I knew I was facing a 10 hour day when I donned jeans, t-shirt, a quarter-zip top and my comfiest bjorn suede clogs with cashmere socks! The only way we get away with it in our business casual dress code workplace is that we are the IT geeks who supposedly don’t know better. Unfortunately, I DO know better.

I apologize for a second comment but realized after I hit send, that sloppy vulgar dress is what sends me over the edge. I think the worst I ever saw was that of a cute, cute petite “well-dressed” mom who treated a whole store to “plumber’s crack” when she bent over to get something off the lower shelf. I wondered if she had a clue to what her backside looked like?

I saw that’s the worst case because the juxtaposition of her image from the front and her image from the back made it that much more shocking.

I wholeheartedly agree, far too many people, use CASUAL as an excuse for ANYTHING GOES!!! It is embarrassing to see people’s butt creases, their body hair, etc. I would wish for people just to care enough to dress themselves in clean, public clothes–not pajamas, not thin T-shirts, private body part-revealing jeans, sweaters,etc. Thanks for the interview.

If you had asked me 2 years ago I would have said yes Angie you are being harsh. Something happened to me in the last 2 years. May be it’s having a baby and not being able to look good in anything I throw on or may be I am starting to see myself in a full length mirror now and refuse to go out in sweats and exercise wear. No one is asking much I think. A pair of decent pants/jeans or skirt and a top. Is that too much to ask, i don’t think so.

Can I get an exception for my international travel . I travel to India every 2 years and I still haven’t figured out what is comfortable for the 30 hour long flight .

[...] up” because they’ll get flack and feel out of place. This came up repeatedly when we discussed Clinton Kelly’s views on under-dressed America. Here are some examples of the comments we heard: “Everything is just too casual these days. And [...]

Maybe I’m just not understanding how everyone works these rules of never underdressing into their lifestyle, so here is a hypothetical question-

What if I need to stop at the grocery store for something on the way home from a physical therapy appointment where I am required to wear yoga attire?

Would those that are annoyed by people in athletic wear at the store bring a change of clothes to the appointment and change in a bathroom stall or drive home and change to run out to the store? Even if the store is on the way? Seems like a waste of gas to me.

Since it sounds like it is totally unacceptable to see someone in athletic wear anywhere but at the gym, maybe there is some trick to it that I’m not aware of. I can’t imagine Clinton has never needed to stop and pick something up on the way to/from the gym. But I guess he has assistants for that.

I agree that things are getting too sloppy, but I have to admit that incorrect pant lengths are a fact of life for me. I’m 5′10″, and have an terrible time finding pants in the correct length within my limited budget. I tend to buy my dress pants at the Gap, as they are the longest I’ve found with the right fit at the hips, and have the hems let out to the maximum.

And then they shrink. Even with a cold water wash, and hanging to air dry. And I can’t afford to replace them that often.

My equally tall co-worker has the same problem, and she’s got the budget to buy the finest available! She just sighs & replaces them. Someday maybe I will too!

Honestly… It doesn’t bother me that much. I seem to be the only one here who doesn’t find sloppy underdressing to be terribly offensive. I mean, it’s not pretty, but I hardly notice it and it truly doesn’t upset me the way so many other things do. What does trouble me in this day & age? General impoliteness; poor grammar; lack of respect for others’ property; lousy drivers; littering; people who don’t scoop after their dogs; cutting in line… the list goes on and on. Give me a stranger in PJs who smiles and uses good manners over a beautifully-dressed boor any day.