I smiled
immediately upon watching the couple enter our store doors. They were impeccably dressed. She in a simple form fitting black sheath
with beautiful gold jewelry, and an intricate shawl around her small frame. He in a perfectly tailored suit topped with a
luxurious silk tie. A hint of gray in
their hair was the best sign of advanced age.
I immediately complimented their style on this Sunday afternoon.
She said, “Well,
of course we are dressed, we just came from services.”
of course we are dressed, we just came from services.”
I told her
it was nice to see some church congregations still dressed up. My own church dresses down…especially on Saturday
evening services. You might just see tee
shirts and cut offs. Now, I agree it makes some feel more comfortable there, and I like it…but I do miss the beauty of Christmas and Easter services where women wore lovely dresses and even hats.
it was nice to see some church congregations still dressed up. My own church dresses down…especially on Saturday
evening services. You might just see tee
shirts and cut offs. Now, I agree it makes some feel more comfortable there, and I like it…but I do miss the beauty of Christmas and Easter services where women wore lovely dresses and even hats.
We briefly
discussed how sad it is that so many places…including many businesses now dress
down to a more casual style. She
smiled. “Not me,” she said. “I love looking my best and always will.”
discussed how sad it is that so many places…including many businesses now dress
down to a more casual style. She
smiled. “Not me,” she said. “I love looking my best and always will.”
In fact,
that day as I watched many walk by clad in exceptionally causal clothing, I noticed the poor posture which accompanied the lack of care with clothing. Thus, another reason to look our best… somehow,
it makes us want to stand up, pull our shoulders back and walk in confidence. I
love this quote from Paulo Coelho quoted in the book POLISH YOUR POISE WITH MADAME CHIC by Jennifer L. Scott:
that day as I watched many walk by clad in exceptionally causal clothing, I noticed the poor posture which accompanied the lack of care with clothing. Thus, another reason to look our best… somehow,
it makes us want to stand up, pull our shoulders back and walk in confidence. I
love this quote from Paulo Coelho quoted in the book POLISH YOUR POISE WITH MADAME CHIC by Jennifer L. Scott:
“Elegance is usually confused with
superficiality, fashion, lack of depth.
This is a serious mistake: human beings, need to have elegance in their
actions and in their posture because this word is synonymous with good taste,
amiability, equilibrium and harmony.
superficiality, fashion, lack of depth.
This is a serious mistake: human beings, need to have elegance in their
actions and in their posture because this word is synonymous with good taste,
amiability, equilibrium and harmony.
”
Scott even
says, “If you correct your posture, you will feel the strength of poise.”
says, “If you correct your posture, you will feel the strength of poise.”
I saw
elegance and poise walk in our store last weekend….and I desire to walk the
same way.
elegance and poise walk in our store last weekend….and I desire to walk the
same way.
How about
you? Do you agree with the dressing down
of our culture…or think it is just fine?
Please share your thoughts… Then go enjoy the reading of The Thursday Blog Hop!!
you? Do you agree with the dressing down
of our culture…or think it is just fine?
Please share your thoughts… Then go enjoy the reading of The Thursday Blog Hop!!
IT’S TIME TO SHARE YOUR BLOG AT THE THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS BLOG HOP!
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I was just noticing the increasingly casual/sloppy way people dress to travel. The outfits I noticed on my last flight, were sad. I wouldn't go grocery shopping dressed that way. Let alone travel internationally!
I saw the same last time I traveled, Jennifer. Sadly, it is everywhere. No self respect.
No, I do not believe that 'dressing down' is flattering on anyone unless you are doing yard work, and even then a little attention paid to attire is a good thing. People are getting sloppier, sad to say. Slouching is something I see everyday. I cringe when I go into church and see people in shorts and tee shirts. Maybe it's me. Have some respect, and yes, I understand that is the only way some people would go to church at all. I think that when you take the time to dress well (not to say expensively, there are options), you have more confidence and carry yourself in a more elegant and confident way. I think people do better work, feel better about themselves and are more confident when they take a little time with their appearance. Was it Helena Rubinstein who said, "There are no ugly women, only lazy ones" ??
I loved dressing up when I was a young girl at home to go to church. Picking out an Easter dress every year was such a treat. I miss those days. Thanks for your words, Karen.
One more thing…I'm assuming those mannequins are supposed to be female? What's going on with the hats? I hope this isn't a new trend!
This store is for younger people…mostly a college, young adult audience. It seems all the mannequins there could be either or. They caught my attention because of the slump…so sad…it seems to put a seal of approval on it. No worries on the hats…winter is almost over!
Dirty flipflops! When did that become business casual??
Mostly in the tech industry! Hopefully a pedicure is involved!
Part of the posture thing has to do with mobile phones, it's becoming a big problem that people are constantly slouching. Weird that it would extend to mannequins though.
I thought it was strange as well…or a really good depiction of young people.
I know what you mean…sometimes we get to caught up in the causal chic that we forget how nice it is to dress up occassionaly.
It is nice to dress and just gives our days a special touch! Thanks Ivana!
The mannequins look like ducks! Good posture is a investment in our health as we get older. So many pains and issues are related to bad posture over time.
Dressing well flicks a switch in my brain – I always feel better and more in control. Have a lovely weekend.
Me as well Elizabeth…even if the day is full of errands, it just seems more special when I dress for it! Thanks for stopping by…(they do look a little like ducks!)
So funny that your post is on how casual we have all gotten. I went to a birthday lunch yesterday and I made sure that I didn't wear jeans because it was a party by invitation and a big year – 50 for my friend. I was one of a few people that weren't in jeans. It was so disappointing. If you don't dress up for something like that then when do you??
I wish people had a desire to dress up a little. Thanks for a great post Pam.
Cherie
STYLE NUDGE
http://www.stylenudge.com
I know what you mean when you say people don't dress up much anymore. I DO dress up for Easter service and often stand out a bit… It's sad that dressing up is going away more and more…
But I have to say that I do wear a lot of fairly casual outfits, but I pay a lot of attention to what I'm wearing and how I accessorize my outfits. I think too often people take casual way too far. Also, there is no excuse for dirty, damaged, or wrinkled clothing I think (casual look or not.) I think often the attention to detail is what really makes a look a "no" for me (as well as way too casual "shoes" like flipflops, etc.). If you wear casual clothes but pay attention to details. I think it's possible to wear fairly casual clothes but still look put together and feel good about yourself.
I think we all should consider how we look when we walk out the door–but I do think we can look very nice in jeans and a sweater, if posture is considered. The other thing that affects how we present in public is how we treat people, the tone of our voices–that kind of thing. We were just in a store a woman was waiting to me helped and when I smiled at her she gave me a nasty look. I don't care what she was wearing, she was acting like a slob.
I love getting dressed up when I go out but I also love being casual too. I think finding that perfect balance is what works best for me.
I do think people are much too casual these days, everywhere. I went to an evening mass with my mother a few Sundays ago and hadn't been in a long time. I was SHOCKED to see sweatshirts and jeans and running shoes on people in the congregation!
I need to watch my posture and I am wearing a Lumo Lift nowadays to help me remember. But if you have been slouching all your life, this is not something which is easily corrected. It might take a couple of years. But you are right, a good posture makes all the difference.
Greetje