Is ALL of Denver metro area "casual" and hipster influenced? (Highlands Ranch: fit in, neighborhoods)

[Metairie]

We moved outside of Denver in the suburbs recently from Charlotte, NC. In south Charlotte people dress nicely and fashionable, and I'm just used to that. I've noticed in Denver, Cherry Hills, Englewood, even Cherry Creek, etc... most people dress really causal or have crayoned colored hair and lots of tattoos. To each their own, just wondering if there is an area that may be a little dressier for lack of a better word.

[randomparent]

Colorado has its own style, and you're not likely to find anywhere that people dress up consistently. Even in the more conservative suburbs, where tattoos are less common (or at least hidden from view), we embrace and shorts & t-shirt/fleece & jeans personal aesthetic. The older women in my neighborhood run errands decked out from head to toe in Lululemon. No joke. My MIL, who favors pastel-colored twin sets and regularly wears hosiery, is a rare bird.

[guyatwork37]

Originally Posted by randomparent

Colorado has it's own style, and you're not likely to find anywhere that people dress up consistently. Even in the more conservative suburbs, where tattoos are less common (or at least hidden from view), we embrace and shorts & t-shirt/fleece & jeans personal aesthetic. The older women in my neighborhood run errands decked out from head to toe in Lululemon. No joke. My MIL, who favors pastel-colored twin sets and regularly wears hosiery, is a rare bird.

I'm pretty sure the issued uniform for moms in Highlands Ranch is an athletic top, capri leggings, and bright colored running shoes.

[maciesmom]

In general the West tends to be more casual than the East. Denver is definitely casual in all ages, income brackets and neighborhoods. Hipster? While there are those that fit the bill, I wouldn't say it's a huge thing. At least that I've noticed.

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by Metairie

We moved outside of Denver in the suburbs recently from Charlotte, NC. In south Charlotte people dress nicely and fashionable, and I'm just used to that. I've noticed in Denver, Cherry Hills, Englewood, even Cherry Creek, etc... most people dress really causal or have crayoned colored hair and lots of tattoos. To each their own, just wondering if there is an area that may be a little dressier for lack of a better word.

Dressing casual is a hallmark of pretty much the entire western US region, with the exception of a few enclaves in parts of Phoenix and parts of southern California. Pretty much everywhere in Denver is casual-- city and suburbs in all directions.

I don't notice people with tattoos any more here than in any other areas I have lived or visited. Same with colored hair. Actually, I think there are fewer people with tattoos here compared to the sunbelt regions.

[Suzatlarge]

Originally Posted by maciesmom

In general the West tends to be more casual than the East. Denver is definitely casual in all ages, income brackets and neighborhoods. Hipster? While there are those that fit the bill, I wouldn't say it's a huge thing. At least that I've noticed.

^^^This has been my experience here (35+ years). When I'm packing to visit people in the Eastern US, I tend to toss some nicer shoes and accessories into the suitcase, so I can dress up a bit more than I usually do here.

I still recall a newspaper article in the 90's, about the first few years of operation of the then recently-rebuilt Cherry Creek Mall, which had some high end stores which were fairly new to this region. One of the store managers (I think it was a high end mens clothing store) said that he and his staff had to learn how Denver's monied and successful folks behave. He said those guys are likely to walk into the store wearing well-worn jeans and much-laundered Polo shirts. Apparently he was from somewhere else, and was used to people who weren't so laid back.

[downtownnola]

There are hipster enclaves in Denver, but way less than places like Seattle or Portland.

Like others have mentioned, the west tends to be more casual in general, even in the big cities in CA. Its as though people in the west traded church hats and mint juleps for margaritas and flip flops lol. Yes, there are many classy places to go and dress up for an evening on the town, but generally isn't as stuffy and uptight as the south.

[Mr_Polymath]

We moved outside of Denver in the suburbs recently from Charlotte, NC. In south Charlotte people dress nicely and fashionable, and I'm just used to that. I've noticed in Denver, Cherry Hills, Englewood, even Cherry Creek, etc... most people dress really causal or have crayoned colored hair and lots of tattoos. To each their own, just wondering if there is an area that may be a little dressier for lack of a better word.

Denver is a more "with it" city than most in the south (sans perhaps Atlanta) so stuff like the seapunk hair, tunnel plugs, and tattoos are going to be more prominent... but I assure you, it's tame compared to Pacific Northwest cities. Are you a Millennial that's just been insulated from Millennial fashion because of Charlotte, or are you older and hit "that age".

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

Dressing casual is a hallmark of pretty much the entire western US region, with the exception of a few enclaves in parts of Phoenix and parts of southern California. Pretty much everywhere in Denver is casual-- city and suburbs in all directions.

This is completely true. I live in one of the most upscale areas in North Scottsdale and even I've commented that the rich folk dress like slobs. Khaki shorts, flip flops, and an ASU/Nike tee is "proper attire". Heck, crazy hair/beards/etc. take work, at least. These guys roll into their clothes on the way out the door.

Part of it is practicality as it's hot here so much of the year, the rest is just the West Coast casual culture. People still tend to dress up for classy events and restaurants. It's more a horses-for-courses thing out here.

[Metairie]

Originally Posted by Mr_Polymath

Denver is a more "with it" city than most in the south (sans perhaps Atlanta) so stuff like the seapunk hair, tunnel plugs, and tattoos are going to be more prominent... but I assure you, it's tame compared to Pacific Northwest cities. Are you a Millennial that's just been insulated from Millennial fashion because of Charlotte, or are you older and hit "that age".





This is completely true. I live in one of the most upscale areas in North Scottsdale and even I've commented that the rich folk dress like slobs. Khaki shorts, flip flops, and an ASU tee is "proper attire". Heck, crazy hair/beards take work, at least. These guys roll into their clothes on the way out the door.

Part of it is practicality as it's hot here so much of the year, the rest is just the West Coast casual culture. People still tend to dress up for classy events and restaurants. It's more a horses-for-courses thing out here.

I'm in my thirties and love high fashion, so my style definitely isn't southern garden party. "With it" is not what I'd call Denver personally. Its just very causal or very urban trendy IMO so far.

[Mr_Polymath]

Originally Posted by Metairie

I'm in my thirties and love high fashion, so my style definitely isn't southern garden party. "With it" is not what I'd call Denver personally. Its just very causal or very urban trendy IMO so far.

Like everyone else has alluded too, they're the defacto styles of the West. Urban trendy is what urban trendy places are going to reflect. Hot climates are going to be more casual. Maybe you meant to move to Paris or something. I dunno. Even in NYC, you're going to have to isolate yourself to specific circles to avoid "urban trendy".

My suggestion, which you're welcome not to take, is not to judge people on their appearances or fashion choices, and judge them on their individual personalities instead. Some people are just trying to fit in, some just trying to express themselves, some (like myself), it's pretty tertiary. I'm more concerned about finding the right Ibanez Iceman than the right Steve Maddens.