# The main factors in why people dress down much more today compared to previous generations? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 11, 2012, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-main-factors-in-why-people-dress-down-much-more-today-compared-to-previous-generations/637447 "2012-10-11T19:10:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-main-factors-in-why-people-dress-down-much-more-today-compared-to-previous-generations/637447/301 "2012-10-27T03:43:51Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > I cannot tie a tie, nor do I own one. I have broad shoulders and a thick neck. To button that top button on a suit is terribly uncomfortable. Most dress shirts are simply not made for guys with my build. > > But I can a rock a suit though! Juts not with a tie. Personal experience: wait for a good sale at Joseph A. Bank, be prepared to spend $800ish (for three suits–I buy on their buy-1-get-2 weekends so my per-suit cost gets down to Sears levels 🆒), and preferably find one in a college town. For whatever reason they have a weird sorta-reputation as “where college football players can buy suits”, so you might have better luck there than other places. Plus they throw in the initial tailoring, at least at the one here, so that gets taken care of. I don’t know what you mean by “broad” or “thick”, but I can’t buy off-the-rack suits that feel right at department or mid-range clothing stores due to the same general size issues (neck, shoulders), but I love the ones I got at Banks. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-main-factors-in-why-people-dress-down-much-more-today-compared-to-previous-generations/637447/302 "2012-10-27T06:01:30Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > To all the guys who don’t like dressing up, > > can you tie a tie? First, I’d need to find one made of material that lends itself to a practical use like an eyeglass lens polisher or a napkin or something. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-main-factors-in-why-people-dress-down-much-more-today-compared-to-previous-generations/637447/303 "2012-10-29T00:50:51Z")
They say that back in the day, BBC radio announcers would still dress up even though no one could see them. Perhaps we should set a Board dress code requiring tuxedos to post. Maybe that would raise the tone a little. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-main-factors-in-why-people-dress-down-much-more-today-compared-to-previous-generations/637447/304 "2012-10-29T00:54:42Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > They say that back in the day, BBC radio announcers would still dress up even though no one could see them. Perhaps we should set a Board dress code requiring tuxedos to post. Maybe that would raise the tone a little. Don’t be silly, tuxedos? Coat and tie should be fine. Cocktail dresses for the ladies. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-main-factors-in-why-people-dress-down-much-more-today-compared-to-previous-generations/637447/305 "2012-10-29T00:59:42Z")
If we’re going to be traditional, then let’s be serious about it. [Doublets and neck ruffs for everyone!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_1_Mijtens.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-main-factors-in-why-people-dress-down-much-more-today-compared-to-previous-generations/637447/306 "2012-10-29T01:10:07Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > They say that back in the day, BBC radio announcers would still dress up even though no one could see them. Perhaps we should set a Board dress code requiring tuxedos to post. Maybe that would raise the tone a little. > [@BMalion](#): > > Don’t be silly, tuxedos? Yes, especially since I have already made the point that _tuxedos are for dining_. :dubious: Harrumph. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-main-factors-in-why-people-dress-down-much-more-today-compared-to-previous-generations/637447/307 "2012-10-29T01:15:23Z")
Well, we could eat while posting. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-main-factors-in-why-people-dress-down-much-more-today-compared-to-previous-generations/637447/308 "2012-10-29T01:19:07Z")
> [@Indistinguishable](#): > > You don’t need to wear a suit in order to shower. Wearing your birthday suit really helps. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-main-factors-in-why-people-dress-down-much-more-today-compared-to-previous-generations/637447/309 "2012-10-29T10:46:08Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > If we’re going to be traditional, then let’s be serious about it. [Doublets and neck ruffs for everyone!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_1_Mijtens.jpg) I have one! ---
**Author:** ![anya\_marie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@anya\_marie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anya_marie)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-main-factors-in-why-people-dress-down-much-more-today-compared-to-previous-generations/637447/310 "2012-10-31T02:28:22Z")
I am looking forward to raining on the parade of the OP, but I don’t especially like wearing dresses or skirts. I’m not a fan of nylons, they run easily and are expensive. I have things to do and can’t be out cutting the grass in a dress. I need some things I can get dirty. I have things I keep nice for work or dates and I can’t afford to fuck them up. I need a slip to go under the one gown I do own, and I hate shopping for clothes enough that I am not going to fuck it up wearing it frequently. I have three dresses and I would never wear them cleaning. I will fuck you UP with my blue jeans before I let you take them. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-main-factors-in-why-people-dress-down-much-more-today-compared-to-previous-generations/637447/311 "2012-10-31T03:41:07Z")
> [@anya\_marie](#): > > …I have things I keep nice for work or dates…[snip]…I will fuck you UP with my blue jeans before I let you take them. I would love it if a woman showed up in jeans for a date. I’d immediately think “Comfortable, genuine… and low maintenance!” Minimal makeup, a practical car, and enough cash to leave the tip would be a bonus. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-main-factors-in-why-people-dress-down-much-more-today-compared-to-previous-generations/637447/312 "2012-10-31T11:43:23Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > To all the guys who don’t like dressing up, > > can you tie a tie? I don’t like dressing up. I’m British. I had a school uniform. I was wearing a tie at the age of five (OK, it was one on elastic then, I think I got my first proper one around the age of eight or nine). I’ll wear a suit, I just don’t find it to be particularly “me”. The girlfriend has seen me in a suit exactly twice. She hasn’t left me yet. ---
**Author:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-main-factors-in-why-people-dress-down-much-more-today-compared-to-previous-generations/637447/313 "2012-10-31T16:19:39Z")
I have one suit that gets trotted out for weddings or funerals. When I first started working ( 1986 ), office employees wore a coat and tie, with ladies in dresses. At some point everyone realized that the clothes you wore were not indicative of the quality of your work so everyone ditched the coat and tie. YMMV ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-main-factors-in-why-people-dress-down-much-more-today-compared-to-previous-generations/637447/314 "2012-10-31T21:22:41Z")
> [@DrumBum](#): > > I have one suit that gets trotted out for weddings or funerals. When I first started working ( 1986 ), office employees wore a coat and tie, with ladies in dresses. At some point everyone realized that the clothes you wore were not indicative of the quality of your work so everyone ditched the coat and tie. > > YMMV And did the ladies ditch their dresses? Woo-Hoo! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2012, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-main-factors-in-why-people-dress-down-much-more-today-compared-to-previous-generations/637447/315 "2012-11-01T00:20:58Z")
I would like to point out that I’m a huge, huge fan of the tradition that chicks can dress like skanks on Hallowe’en, and if it means people showing up to weddings in jeans, so be it. ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-main-factors-in-why-people-dress-down-much-more-today-compared-to-previous-generations/637447/316 "2012-11-09T22:25:29Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I use a PC. Ha, I use Royal Mail. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-main-factors-in-why-people-dress-down-much-more-today-compared-to-previous-generations/637447.md?page=15)