# Which of history’s fashions would you choose, if you could adopt any style? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 2, 2025, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312 "2025-12-02T00:18:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312/41 "2025-12-03T07:23:03Z")
There were various period versions - the long strip of cloth thong kind, but also ones with tapes or ties. The thong kind is no more uncomfortable than any other kind of thong underwear, IME. Actually, more comfortable than most because not as narrow a g-string. And you take the whole thing off for #2, but just untuck for #1, same as tighty-whities. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312/42 "2025-12-03T08:29:39Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > long white cotton cloth Unreasonably long? I can’t say I have ever seen Japanese underwear; I have worn stuff like a sarong or dhoti where you have to wrap it or otherwise secure it around the waist if you want it to stay on, but of course that is not underwear (or fashionable AFAIK) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312/43 "2025-12-03T09:26:18Z")
Knee length skirts are short though that you need to arrange your legs carefully when you sit. Mostly, you need to hold your legs right next to each other. I tend to prefer to sit with my legs apart, even cross a leg over a knee. Those are dicey poses with a knee skirt. I haven’t worn a skirt that short since i was 15 or so. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312/44 "2025-12-03T16:47:27Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > And you take the whole thing off for #2, but just untuck for #1, same as tighty-whities. I’m curious how you know this to be true. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312/45 "2025-12-03T16:54:42Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > Unreasonably long? Apparently the oldest kind were about 180 cm long, or almost 6 feet. I don’t know about later (but not modern) versions. There are a lot of variations on ways they can be worn, including having the last foot (or more) hanging down in front for a little more modesty, if you are appearing in public (as at a festival) with nothing else on. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312/46 "2025-12-03T18:31:46Z")
I’ve worn them in the SCA. I did full Japanese, mostly Edo-period, sometimes earlier. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312/47 "2025-12-03T19:24:28Z")
Not at all a fan of ties, so I’m happy those days are gone. A couple of times I wore dresses for Halloween. Awfully comfortable. So I’ll offer up kilts. At least 3 seasons out of the year. Yeah, I know some few guys wear them… ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312/48 "2025-12-03T20:19:38Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I’ve worn them in the SCA. I did full Japanese, mostly Edo-period, sometimes earlier. (Society for Creative Anachronism, I presume) Did you wear them as underwear, or as your entire outfit? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312/49 "2025-12-03T20:23:48Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > (Society for Creative Anachronism, I presume) Yep > [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Did you wear them as underwear, or as your entire outfit? Underwear. And swimming costume. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312/50 "2025-12-03T21:17:50Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I love love love hoodies. Oddly I grew to hate them, due to too many “yutes” wearing black hoodies, with the hoods up, face in a cellphone crossing the streets willy-nilly at- causing some serious brake and tire wear, not to mention my poor heart. I want to ban black (or dark grey) hoodies. I know, that’s a rant, sorry- but…. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312/51 "2025-12-03T22:44:48Z")
I hate hoodies. On me, not on others. But try to find a sweatshirt without one. Stupid useless 3D flap of fabric on the back plus dumb drawstrings. Ugg. I just want a casual zip-front sweater w hand pockets to wear inside buildings w arctic HVAC. Is that too much to ask? Apparently yes. Pisses me right off. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312/52 "2025-12-03T23:15:01Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Stupid useless 3D flap of fabric on the back plus dumb drawstrings. Ugg. > > I just want a casual zip-front sweater w hand pockets to wear inside buildings w arctic HVAC. Is that too much to ask? Apparently yes. Yay! I completely agree. I do have a cool (or rather very warm) wool one. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312/53 "2025-12-03T23:20:09Z")
At least you live on SoCal (IIIRC) so rather little death by HVAC. If I was King of Florida all residents would be required to sign a pledge confirming their love of humidity and eternal renunciation of air conditioning or be forcibly deported to more northern climes. HV would be legal. AC would not. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312/54 "2025-12-03T23:22:56Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > At least you live on SoCal (IIIRC) so rather little death by HVAC No, we have it here and sometimes too much. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312/55 "2025-12-04T01:02:53Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > If I was King of Florida all residents would be required to sign a pledge confirming their love of humidity and eternal renunciation of air conditioning or be forcibly deported to more northern climes. HV would be legal. AC would not. This is one of the reasons I’d never want to live in Florida. Too damn hot and muggy. It’s tolerable with AC, i suppose. I don’t like wearing hoodies because i don’t really like wearing sweat shirts. I have a wool shirt i sometimes toss in if it’s nippy indoors. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312/56 "2025-12-04T12:12:35Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I love love love hoodies. Seconding the hoodie love… I do wear them all the time, too, it’s not a mere fantasy ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312/57 "2025-12-04T12:20:49Z")
History? Yesterday. I’ve always just dressed comfortably and practical. Light weight hiking shoes, wool socks (SmartWool), jeans, tee-shirt and a fleece. Perhaps an additional fleece vest depending on the weather. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312/58 "2025-12-04T12:39:00Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I just want a casual zip-front sweater w hand pockets Who are you - Mr. Rogers? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312/59 "2025-12-04T13:38:46Z")
No, and Mr. Rogers is exactly the look I _don’t_ want. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312/60 "2025-12-04T18:52:05Z")
I like the chinese silk clothing circa 1800s. Comfortable, warm, and elegant, with a variety of colors and patterns. Functional and unfussy. [Example](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_clothing#/media/File:Traditional_Chinese_costume_01.jpg) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-history-s-fashions-would-you-choose-if-you-could-adopt-any-style/1025312.md?page=4)