https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 08:53:45 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/3#post-942325 Sun, 26 May 2013 23:41:38 +0000 Niefern 942325@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am shocked to read&nbsp;that some college students go to class in their pajamas. One thing is being casual and another going to the university in pajamas. Shocking! I am from Spain and as far as I know that trend has not (yet) reached our shores.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/3#post-940990 Fri, 24 May 2013 19:54:05 +0000 Kristin L 940990@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There was something I heard on What Not to Wear the other day that may kindda go along with this thread. One girl that they brought on had just finished a post-doc&nbsp;and you could tell just by listening to her that she was smart. But she dressed rather sloppy&nbsp;because to her smart didn't equal pretty. It was sad to hear her say she couldn't see herself as pretty or dressing pretty because she felt that that would mean she was shallow and she had a hard time reconciling that the two could go together. </p> <p>Maybe being in&nbsp;academia I see that mindset more. While I have seen professors/postdocs that have dressed beautifully (my food chemistry prof came to class in 3 inches heels and dressed to the nines&nbsp;everyday), I've also seen just as many who don't.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/3#post-940934 Fri, 24 May 2013 18:31:19 +0000 tarzy 940934@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all for some very thought-provoking comments about the difference between "sloppy" and "fashionable."&nbsp; </p> <p>I find the older I get, the more I bat for team "put together." I'm not heading out daily in Chanel and pearls, but I do tend to pay more attention. I'm not sure if that's due to some kind of actual philosophical shift, though, or just trying to find ways to coexist with gravity and the march of time. :)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/3#post-940875 Fri, 24 May 2013 16:29:29 +0000 T-Rex 940875@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree that the comments have been terrific and well thought out. Excellent thread.</p> <p>Now, after at least skimming all the comments, I feel I have to come to the defense of the woman who walked her dog to the coffee shop in her PJ bottoms. I can totally see myself doing this, if I could manage to get up early enough in the morning to walk my dog or go to a coffee shop. I just manage to barely get to work on time, because my body clock is set several hours later than most people. </p> <p>So, when I imagine myself early some morning,&nbsp;in PJ bottoms, leash in hand, heading to the coffee shop...I'm still half asleep. Maybe more than half. Walking without bumping into things would be an accomplishment for me, depending on the hour, so I'm inclined to say "OK" to wearing PJ bottoms in public for dog walking and coffee consumption. PJ bottoms worn to work (or to the opera!) - no.</p> <p>PJ bottoms worn to class? That depends. When I was in college, I avoided early classes as much as I was able. I remember taking an aerobics class at 8am my freshman year, and found that doable only because I could roll out of bed in sweatpants and t-shirt, walk a few yards to the cafeteria for coffee, and then a few more yards to the gym where the class was held. I could get up at 7:45 and be on time. I made sure to put at least an hour between that class and my next so I could shower, dress, put on a little makeup, etc. That was almost thirty years ago. Today, if I were in college surrounded by other students in PJ pants, you can bet I would do the same if I had an early class. I would feel very weird wearing them all day, though. At some point, I would have to go back to my dorm or apartment, and prepare to join the living once again. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/3#post-940863 Fri, 24 May 2013 16:05:10 +0000 catgirl 940863@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>T-rex, I love reading your thoughts and all the amazing comments here.&nbsp; I have been pondering this subject over the last week or so in general, and have so many thoughts I don't have time to write out!&nbsp;&nbsp; But I know just the awareness of my own thoughts is enlightening, and even more so all the incredible viewpoints here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/3#post-940844 Fri, 24 May 2013 15:52:37 +0000 T-Rex 940844@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OK, one more comment for now. </p> <p>I think that the extent to which people care about fashion may be on some natural continuum. So some people are going to care no matter what. Others aren't going to care, no matter what. But the people in the middle may develop an eye for fashion to varying degrees based on their influences growing up. Having a particularly fashionable older relative, or living in an artsy area, or developing an associated interest in art, culture, photography, etc., may cause a person to develop a greater interest in fashion than they otherwise would.&nbsp; A person with some interest may likewise never develop it if they have other interests or needs that come first. </p> <p>It also helps greatly if you have someone knowledgable to help you develop such an interest. I remember my aunt telling me that a particular dress or top didn't fit me because the shoulder seams were hanging off my shoulders, when they should have been sitting right on top. Another aunt refused to buy a particular item of clothing that I wanted because the pattern on the seams didn't match up. She considered this to be a sign of low quality. She was also a very good seamstress herself. These are things my mother never mentioned to me. In addition to these little lessons in quality, the first aunt mentioned above had tastes in clothing that were a bit more fashionable and cosmopolitan than anything I saw on people in my home town. If&nbsp;not for her, I may have still ventured outside the fashion comfort zone of those around me, but maybe not as soon or as much. </p> <p>Also...<br />I do think it is possible for people with very little income to dress well, and even fashionably. But it takes more time and effort when you don't have the cash. I have a greater respect and appreciation for those people who manage to thrift, upscale, and repurpose a terrific wardrobe for practically nothing, than I do for those who can buy a terrific wardrobe. Both of these take effort, of course, because you can't just buy a sense of style. You have to develop it.&nbsp;But doing it on a tight budget takes *more* effort. So I'm inclined to give a pass to those who may look "sloppy" by my standards, but who are too busy with jobs or kids or sick relatives or whatever to give what they look like much thought. </p> <p>And...<br />I wonder if people who dress very casually, but who are label conscious (as someone previously mentioned) are using the labels as some kind of shortcut to fashionable or appropriate dress. Maybe they believe that wearing the "right" brand makes up for not giving any thought to whether or not what they are wearing looks good or is appropriate for the situation. Maybe they have that inclination to care about fashion, but it has been completely and totally undeveloped? Or maybe they&nbsp;really don't care, but the labels matter because&nbsp;they are status conscious. Maybe it's the influence of fast fashion, to an extent. Back when clothing cost a lot more to manufacture, people had fewer clothes and they tended to keep them longer, wear them more often, and take better care of them. So quality mattered more, because you wanted the few clothes that you had to last a long time. And even if you made your own clothing, the quality of the fabric and the notions used, as well as the fit,&nbsp;still mattered. Now that clothing can be made so cheaply in developing countries, the branding and image associated with a clothing label matters more than it used to. I can't even say it's style over substance, because there is often so little style... </p> <p>My rambling thoughts have now&nbsp;reached a dead end. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/3#post-940822 Fri, 24 May 2013 15:09:05 +0000 T-Rex 940822@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a feeling I'm going to comment a few more times to this thread. I have thoughts on the subject, but I'm having trouble connecting them into a coherent point of view. So...here is the next chunk...unconnected to what I just said above. :-)</p> <p>I've been to many funerals where the men all wore jeans or overalls. Even some of the women may have been in jeans, or at least dressed very casually. I've had to just relax and accept this without judgement, although it bothered me when I was a younger woman.&nbsp;It's just a different world view from the one&nbsp;I have, from people who are even related to me and who grew up in the same&nbsp;area. For many of them, what they wear to a funeral has nothing to do with respect or lack of it. Just being there is what is important to them. That said, I've seen less of this as I've grown older. I think maybe the overall and blue jean wearers were my older relatives, who worked on farms or logging or in textile mills, and who just didn't have the time, energy, or inclination to shop for clothes that weren't completely utilitarian. Lately, I'm far more likely to see my relatives dressed "appropriately" for somber occasions. I imagine that's a result of many things, including having more financial security, less physically demanding jobs, more education, and in general a greate knowledge of the world outside our little part of the rural southern U.S. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/3#post-940817 Fri, 24 May 2013 15:07:31 +0000 T-Rex 940817@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't read all the comments, but I will definitely go back and do so. I did see Liz's comment, though. </p> <p>Liz, from my point of view, there is nothing inherently better about "dressing up" than "dressing down". However, I definitely can appreciate an outfit that looks pulled together, or unexpectedly cool or chic or interesting, even if that outfit is very casual and based on jeans or yoga pants or whatever. I would rather see interesting, or at least well thought out, casual outfits than boring dressy ones, regardless of how dressy the occasion may be. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/3#post-940794 Fri, 24 May 2013 14:23:06 +0000 nycbeck 940794@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I live in NYC and see both ends of the spectrum - well dressed women and slobs.&nbsp; I also work p/t in a store catering to mature women and am totally amazed at how sloppy many women are who come into the store.&nbsp; I see&nbsp;skimpy&nbsp;undershirts with major flesh coming out, dirty sweat pants, bulging backpacks and huge sneakers.&nbsp; I always wonder where the women who buy these clothes wear them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/3#post-939322 Wed, 22 May 2013 22:04:06 +0000 lyn* 939322@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I enjoy dressing nicely for work, and I would like to think that if you are clean and otherwise tidy, you should be able to be a good doc (think of surgeons in their scrubs vs. the dressed up family doc).</p> <p>I remember when I was a kid, I used to LOVE going to this one lady doc because she would have beautiful outfits and I'd go and just stare at her fabulous clothes. That's the doc I've always wanted to be.</p> <p>My work place has gotten very casual. Cargo shorts. Flip flops. Sandals. Capris. Short summer dresses. Spaghetti straps. NO BRA (I almost fainted). Leggings as pants. Camel toe. </p> <p>Ugh. </p> <p>One of my biggest pet peeves is when I take the time to dress for work (these days, a dress or a skirt and a blazer, with some pumps), and someone else shows up in a Lululemon track suit, and says they are "equally as dressed" as me, I want to throw a punch in their face.&nbsp;</p> <p>That is not a style choice. You are obviously more casually dressed than me (right?) - They are obviously not too economically strained to buy clothes (I can't afford lululemon), and THOSE are the choices that they made.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think it's fine if patients come to the hospital wearing jammies or old t-shirts; they are ill or are visiting family members and other priorities are on their list.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/3#post-938931 Wed, 22 May 2013 15:34:51 +0000 MsMary 938931@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Julie, you crack me up!&nbsp; ;)</p> <p>I deal with members of the public in my work, and at this point I am pretty much immune to sloppy dress, although I do notice and appreciate when somebody has made an effort to dress nicely and (in my view) appropriately.</p> <p>I do think it is absolutely an employer's prerogative to institute a dress code and expect employees to abide by it.&nbsp; Rightly or wrongly, I believe people are generally&nbsp;more likely to be focused on the work at hand if they are dressed in something other than workout wear or loungewear.</p> <p>I just try to dress as nicely and appropriately as I can, and I really do try not to worry about what anybody else is wearing.&nbsp; I have no idea what anybody's story is so I'm reluctant to judge based on appearances. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/3#post-938925 Wed, 22 May 2013 15:20:33 +0000 JulieJohn 938925@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Okay, before I read everybody's comments, let me just say that once I clicked through to the Jezebel site, I spent 20 minutes without even knowing it, totally absorbed reading about Brangelina, Bieber, and some guy with a pearl embedded in his body. I was entertained, but I believe I am also scarred for life. (mostly kidding) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/2#post-938918 Wed, 22 May 2013 15:11:00 +0000 Suz 938918@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is such a great conversation. I wish I had more time today to respond with all my thoughts. For now&nbsp;I just wanted to thank you, Una, and thank everyone for chiming in. I found myself nodding along with so many of you -- even with contradictory viewpoints! Which is why I can't write a full response now -- too many ideas.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/2#post-938821 Wed, 22 May 2013 12:37:59 +0000 TraceyLiz65 938821@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ How many bosses have we seen on What Not to Wear who say that they value the work, but the person is being overlooked for promotion due to their appearance? &nbsp;Showing that you care about how you look is a level of respect expecially in the work environment....Seems like there is a definitle defensive mindset that others should she them for what they do and get past them not caring about appearance. I love how that mindset changes with the makeove experience and the "awakening"&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/2#post-938796 Wed, 22 May 2013 11:08:43 +0000 Archer 938796@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I thought that&nbsp;Jezebel's article was a piece of pointed humour and that she intended to open up the kind of discussion that is being had. &nbsp;Maybe I need to go read it again more closely.&nbsp;Interesting discussion though.&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;As I said, I have bookmarked her. &nbsp;Maybe be all of you in the USA should do that too because she is probably headed for a political career.<br /><br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/2#post-938569 Wed, 22 May 2013 01:29:13 +0000 Sveta 938569@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting discussion...I think "don't judge" rule works both ways here. I don't really care much what people around wear including my workplace (unless they look positively dirty and smell bad).&nbsp;Unfortunately it does happen -&nbsp;I mean the smell -&nbsp;more often than I care to endure.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;I guess it is a natural progression in thinking that how you look is not important...then you begin to ignore things like keeping your clothes and body clean on regular basis as well...on the other hand I think when people try to make you feel bad because you dressed with more care that they is equally bad and in bad taste!<br />On another note my female colleague who is very careful about her appearance and grooming told me that she cannot work efficiently if she dresses up so she keeps it very casual (but still nice) at work and by the end of the week she is so sick of it that she dresses up all weekend. I guess everybody is different and have different needs - I definitely need to dress up (even when I dress casual) to work well :-)<br />My point is that I don't want to judge anybody by how they dress unless it is really offensive to my senses but I do enjoy seeing people who care about their appearance. I agree with Angie on aesthetic on seeing nicely dressed people&nbsp; - similar to seeing a nice landscape or beautiful building - it gives you more pleasure than seeing something drab. Which reminds me of my first trip to Italy together with my two male colleagues. Every time after we came to our hotel from the bank they would change into baggy shorts and t-shirts for dinner - and then comment how different they look from Italians. Yeah - I did not see any locals in baggy shorts at the restaurant. They also commented that Italian girls are all very beautiful - more so than in Canada. I wanted to laugh out loud at them and point&nbsp;out that Italian ladies are all nicely dressed and groomed including makeup and that really sets them apart from majority of Canadian girls in our overly casual city...so yeah, aesthetic angle is definitely there!<br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/2#post-938545 Wed, 22 May 2013 00:58:15 +0000 Gaylene 938545@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Unfrumped, can I join you in the "I'll&nbsp; wear my lace-up shoes <i><b>with socks</b></i><b> </b>when I'm doing a lot of walking" club? Maybe I don't have the right kind of skin to wear sockless oxfords because, whenever I've attempted to wear my shoes without socks, I end up limping along the pavement with blistered, bleeding toes and heels, swearing under my breath. And those little sock thingies just make matters worse by rolling off my heels and balling up under my feet, making my toes even more unhappy!<br /><br />I'll put up with the jeers of the fashion police just to keep my feet happy.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/2#post-938534 Wed, 22 May 2013 00:44:32 +0000 Mo 938534@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Unfrumped, I wrote, and then deleted, the basic same premise. &nbsp;Dress to your according surroundings and /or occasion and all else is just gravy IMO. &nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/2#post-938512 Wed, 22 May 2013 00:07:23 +0000 unfrumped 938512@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I guess the guys on Star Trek looked like they were wearing pajamas--my brother had some in the 1950's that were amazingly like a Star Trek uniform. And yet I guess that was intended to evoke the future of fabric and function.<br /><br />I like a sense of the right outfit for the time &amp; place--even if just an effort. As in, our rep theater is quite casual, but I prefer not to see someone dressed as though he just got in from yard work or rolled off the couch. Just look a little nice, even if casual. However I really can't give a super rational reason why, so have given up, and just tried to do what's right for me.<br /><br />I'm not on the yoga pant exclusion team for lunch or errands. Even though they're not in my wardrobe, &nbsp;I think you can actually look very nice and put together and they look like stretchy something. Why is all denim elevated to better? Why leggings under a tunic better ? I&nbsp; think the faded boyfriends are not as formal-looking as very nicely fitted flared bootcut black yoga pants that might be worn as just part of a very put-together outfit, for example. So to me that is fashion and culture--eye of the beholder, depends on the fit and fabrication and intent of the outfit, and all that.<br /><br />I confess I don't believe&nbsp;women&nbsp;can really be comfortable during a 10-hour work day&nbsp;in 90% of "stylish" shoes they wear--so there! So then that part of me wants to defend the track-shoe crowd, even though I've upgraded to a few other sorts of shoes that I can wear doing errands, or on casual outings.<br />But for any real walking, or long days of sight-seeing, I think my fallback may always be some form of lace-up athletic shoe or leather laceup like Ecco or Clarks or Privo--with socks!--no fashion oxfords, even.<br /><br />Hmm.. where was I? So, I like people to dress at least aimed at the occasion, but differentiate that from fashion or style--many people&nbsp; trying to dress nicely&nbsp; &nbsp;would be jeered by the fashion police for looking dated, or maybe too tight, or too boxy, or whatever.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/2#post-938467 Tue, 21 May 2013 23:04:51 +0000 cciele 938467@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I also don't like the judgment associated with the word "slob." To each his/her own. It's all relative to your tribe, as rachylou so astutely states.&nbsp;But I do give the stink eye to dirty, stinky, stained clothes. Yuck. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/2#post-938450 Tue, 21 May 2013 22:48:37 +0000 Anonymous 938450@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gaylene, it already happened. Here is Rihana wearing a little number from Acne.<br /> As a side note, I think it is possible to look nice with very little money. Growing up in Colombia we did not have much, but both my mom and grandma always look pristine. That holds for most of the country too.<br /> I am pretty laid back with stuff like this, but what gets me about cases like my coworker's, is that it denotes lack of care for your environment.There is also the issue of cleanliness. Wearing the same pants and the same fleece for 5 straight days is a bit unsanitary, sorry. That to me is sloppy. The rest, not so much.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/2#post-938430 Tue, 21 May 2013 22:23:33 +0000 Gaylene 938430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I suspect that "dressing like a slob" is as much cultural as it is about money or comfort. And I don't think that you can necessarily infer how much thought has gone into putting an outfit together based solely on your judgement of how the outfit looks to your eyes.<br /><br />I get a bit uncomfortable, though, with arbitrarily labeling <i>this</i> as fashionable and <i>that</i> as unfashionable. I'm not sure that I totally agree with Angie that there is always an aesthetic difference which elevates one item from another. More often I think we either become accustomed to seeing something which renders the item more acceptable to us or are taught to view an item in a more positive way by someone whose opinion we choose to trust.<br /><br />I think Rachylou is right when she says we dress according to our "tribe". That college student in her PJs is wearing what her tribe deems currently acceptable. And, I guess, if Helmut Lang starts featuring $$$ flannel, elastic-waisted pants with bunnies on them in his next collection, those bottoms just might end up on the red carpet worn by a member of that "tribe". Do I label one as a slob and another as a trend-setter?<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/2#post-938405 Tue, 21 May 2013 21:51:18 +0000 ironkurtin 938405@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I know people who make very little and always look well-dressed and like they care.&nbsp; I know people who make a lot and always look like they cannot be arsed.<br /><br />It's just a matter of priorities.&nbsp; If you want to look nice, you do.&nbsp; If you don't think it's important, you don't.<br /><br />I agree it's also a matter of social norms.&nbsp; When I first moved to NYC from LA, I was stunned how rude salesladies were to me in my jeans - in LA, someone wearing jeans could be a bazillionaire and salespeople acted accordingly.&nbsp; Not in NYC back then!&nbsp; (That has of course changed, and it's *which* jeans you wear now, and with what.)<br /><br />Maybe people in pajama pants think they look practical and cute for traveling, and they don't care if you disagree.&nbsp; I don't think money enters into it much.&nbsp; <br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/2#post-938404 Tue, 21 May 2013 21:51:08 +0000 Liz A. 938404@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ @Una, yes I absolutely agree that clothing is an option that people have for communicating social cues with each other.&nbsp; If you knew my history, you'd understand why I dress the way I do on my own time ;)<br /><br />@Janet, I absolutely agree that 99% of offices would not accept such attire.&nbsp; Although truth be told I wore some version of that when I worked an admin job alone in the back office of a restaurant... not every day, but it happened.&nbsp; My point is that many jobs could be performed equally well regardless of the employee's clothing.&nbsp; And that I really just wish I could wear jeans to work.&nbsp; And end rant.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/2#post-938395 Tue, 21 May 2013 21:39:51 +0000 goldenpig 938395@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, it's not necessarily a budget issue, it's more of a cultural norms issue. We live in a fairly high income area (at least, it feels like people are more well off than we are), and people aren't any more dressed up here than when we lived in SF. The uniform is still gear and yoga pants, but they're Athleta and Lululemon.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/2#post-938392 Tue, 21 May 2013 21:34:15 +0000 Angie 938392@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm not sure what to think of the budget angle, Stacey. I've lived in developing countries&nbsp; - more like Second World - for many, many years and am always in awe of how how well dressed the less privileged people are. It does take time and resources to be fashionable and trendy each season. I fully agree with that statement. But when you've lived in Asia and Africa for a while, you also think about this differently - which is the perspective I'm sharing here. There is a cultural component at play. In other words, it is definitely part of the culture in Southern Africa for example, to look dressy despite your budget. <br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/2#post-938370 Tue, 21 May 2013 21:08:31 +0000 Anonymous 938370@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I couldn't have said it better than Thistle. I sort of bristle at the notion that it's "easy" for everyone to look nice on any budget. Is it possible to look groomed? Yes, but I attribute that more to fixing one's hair and looking clean-scrubbed than by anything someone wears. Being fashionable is&nbsp;a whole other animal influenced by time, budget, resources, etc. I thought Thistle's point that many of us look at the fashion industry and say "nope, not me," is well taken. I know I've often felt that way, and I'm youngish and have an average dress size. If I had more fit issues than I have already, I can imagine that shopping would be more demoralizing than fun. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/2#post-938361 Tue, 21 May 2013 20:52:03 +0000 DeclawedJaguar 938361@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ There are definitely cultural differences at play. I come from an Eastern European country and was brought up to believe that one had to dress "nicely" when leaving the house. That meant no workout gear, loungewear, or PJs, and most definitely nothing stained or dirty. Living in the States now, I do find myself overdressed for my environment 99% of the time. I have tried dressing to fit in, but have realized that it just does not feel comfortable or like me, to me. I do perceive people dressed slovenly as less competent and not professional - of course, some may and will disagree. And of course, some people do prove me wrong, but rarely.<br /><br />Taking care of your clothes and appearance has absolutely nothing to do with income, but a lot to do with habits and self-respect, in my opinion. Our family had little money, but my parents taught me how to mend clothes, sew on buttons, and do laundry to maximize the wear of my clothes. I also do know many people with very limited incomes who take great care with their appearance and always look polished and nice, and some very wealthy people who always look like they've been living in their clothes for weeks.<br /><br />Now that I work from home, and having been unemployed for several months prior to that, dressing up has become even more important to me. On the days when I did not take the time to get dressed nicely, I would find myself slipping into a very dark place mentally. I guess it does stem from the fact that I do sincerely believe that clothes make the man, and lolling about the house in PJs or sweats all day negatively affected my self esteem, which in turn made looking for work and forcing myself to get out of bed that much harder. <br /><br />ETA:&nbsp; I think some people are conflating looking fashionable, trendy, or whatever, with not looking sloppy.&nbsp; I did not think the article was about fashion or expensive clothes, but rather about dressing to look like you've made an effort, which is possible at all income levels.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/2#post-938359 Tue, 21 May 2013 20:49:04 +0000 Angie 938359@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ High, five, Janet. <br /><br />Nicole, I am so with you - if I had to blame an era!!! The hippie movement made it's contribution, but the other side of the '70s was very glam. And the '80s were glam. Then it all fell to pieces in the '90s. And every time fashion tries to bring back dressy as a fashion statement - it has little traction. <br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-we-a-nation-of-slobs/page/2#post-938333 Tue, 21 May 2013 20:17:37 +0000 Nicole D 938333@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I blame the grunge movement.<br /><br />That is intersting about the client with dementia. &nbsp;Part of the psycho-neurological exam is to comment on the appropriateness of the patient's clothing (i.e. clean, appropriate for season, bizarre, etc.). &nbsp;This just gets more difficult all the time!