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I was so struck when I was in Italy a few years back that older and old women dressed up, many in hose and heels, to go to the grocery store. Of all shapes and sizes as we age, are we too old to dress up, or are we going to go around in sweats and shorts with baggy tops?
Not me. I like dressing up for parties or going to the theatre--and that's it. The way I see it, if you keep the fancy clothes for special events it makes those events extra special. But if we're talking about everyday activities, that's when I prefer the casual look. A Hawaiian shirt and jeans is the look I like. And the other "look" I like is the relaxed, happy look on people's faces because they feel comfortable.
I also like the look of "being healthy" and casual clothes mean you'll feel more comfortable doing things like walking everywhere. Can't walk a mile to the store if you're wearing heels or dressy clothes that can't really breathe.
I've still got a suit, sport coats, slacks, dress shirts, and a bunch of ties. Sadly, about the only time I get "dressed up" these days is to go to a funeral.
I had jobs in the past that required a certain degree of dressing up. Those days are behind me. Jeans, t-shirts, New Balance running shoes .... color me selfish, but being comfortable is way more important to me than what other people think of my appearance.
I've still got a suit, sport coats, slacks, dress shirts, and a bunch of ties. Sadly, about the only time I get "dressed up" these days is to go to a funeral.
I had jobs in the past that required a certain degree of dressing up. Those days are behind me. Jeans, t-shirts, New Balance running shoes .... color me selfish, but being comfortable is way more important to me than what other people think of my appearance.
Agreed (I've also got the suits, ties, etc). I'm way more comfortable, (Florida) in shorts and flip-flops, and a T-shirt ... even when eating out (fast food) or going to some type of casual 'crowd' event. But, there are still times and places where 'beach casual' simply isn't appropriate.
One can still choose only to 'suit themselves,' but, that tends to show a disregard for others ... and also models an attitude for younger people and others that personal preferences 'trump' decorum, self-respect, respect for others ... and cultural norms and conventions (eg; church, formal events, ceremonies, weddings/funerals/baptisms, job interviews, public speaking engagements, etc.) -- One can't even get on most golf courses without a collared shirt.
I've thought about this after watching a young pastor in a church show-up twice to preach ... in baggy shorts, flip-flops and T-shirt (I've also been a teacher/preacher over many years). In my opinion, this is an unnecessary ‘stumbling block’ for many in the church … including me. With me, it’s not so much about style or preference, but, about respecting the role and the responsibility one assumes in that role.
I've also concluded that making too much effort to appear 'casual and unconcerned about dress or conventions' - sends it's own message. It says, "I'm overly self-absorbed with appearing unconcerned about appearance or conventions." -- Think about it, those who go out of their way to proclaim, "I don't care what anyone else thinks" ... usually care a great deal about creating that (unnecessary) impression with others. Likewise, adolescents who are 'totally aware of and concerned with what others think' ... send the same message when they attempt to act totally oblivious to and unconcerned with what anyone else thinks?
To the OP: Since I was young when I dressed up, and it was the fashion (Fifties and Sixties), I thought of it as a form of art and not a hardship.
As an old person, I do not find tight clothing or shoes comfortable. And I value comfort now.
I also live in a vacation destination, so if you see someone dressed up, you wonder if they were kidnapped from somewhere else and dumped on the side of the road or something. It is very "suspicious" to see someone dressed up where I live.
I've thought about this after watching a young pastor in a church show-up twice to preach ... in baggy shorts, flip-flops and T-shirt (I've also been a teacher/preacher over many years). I've concluded that sometimes, making too much effort to appear 'casual and unconcerned about dress or conventions' - sends it's own message. It really says, "I'm self-absorbed with appearing unconcerned about appearance or conventions." -- Think about it, isn't that the message that adolescents who are actually 'totally aware of and concerned with what others think' ... send when they attempt to act like they are totally unconcerned with and oblivious to what everyone else thinks?
Interesting how people can see things in different ways. Church is one place where I actually prefer seeing people in casual clothes. IMO, dressing up is perfect for restaurants, concerts, the theatre, and other places where showing off your fancy clothes is part of the evening. But a church, IMO, is a place to focus on God and not the place to have a fashion show.
I go to church to praise God, not to praise Mrs. Jones' Halston dress and or Mr. Smith's expensive Italian shoes. And what's worse is so many people in church don't praise each other for their clothes--they judge and criticize. It's human nature, I guess, but is that what Jesus wants us to do? That's why I prefer people to wear ordinary clothes to church. Back in ancient days, the people going to hear Jesus speak wore their ordinary clothes--and that still seems appropriate to me.
But this is one of those things people see differently. So, I'm not putting down someone else who wants to dress up for church--in their mind they are most likely doing so to be respectful. Or maybe they don't go to church very often, and they're dressing up because it's an unusual event.
Interesting how people can see things in different ways. Church is one place where I actually prefer seeing people in casual clothes. IMO, dressing up is perfect for restaurants, concerts, the theatre, and other places where showing off your fancy clothes is part of the evening. But a church, IMO, is a place to focus on God and not the place to have a fashion show.
I go to church to praise God, not to praise Mrs. Jones' Halston dress and or Mr. Smith's expensive Italian shoes. And what's worse is so many people in church don't praise each other for their clothes--they judge and criticize. It's human nature, I guess, but is that what Jesus wants us to do? That's why I prefer people to wear ordinary clothes to church. Back in ancient days, the people going to hear Jesus speak wore their ordinary clothes--and that still seems appropriate to me.
But this is one of those things people see differently. So, I'm not putting down someone else who wants to dress up for church--in their mind they are most likely doing so to be respectful. Or maybe they don't go to church very often, and they're dressing up because it's an unusual event.
I absolutely agree with you about people who attend church and take no exception there! As a Pastor/ Teacher myself, I would much rather have them there in 'beach casual', than not there at all. But, I'm talking about the Pastor himself and the message he conveys about his respect for and attitude toward the role he has assumed. I'm not talking about 'liturgical costumes' or even suits, but, about going to extremes in the other direction. IMO, the pastor must adhere to an entirely different standard than the congregation in many matters (including Sunday dress).
I'll admit to still dressing better if we go out to dinner, even if 'just' a chain type place or even to someone elses house or to do something comparable.
But it still doesn't hit the level of dress-up that it used to. I even changed from the sweat type pants with bleach spots and holes the other day, to a good pair of jeans, just to go to WalMart. I didn't want to look like some peoples' stereotype of a WalMart shopper.
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