Fashion Choices That Boggle the Mind

[Tweedlover]

Here you can share those approaches to the clothes we wear that make you scratch your head and go "what were they thinking?" My morning outing to Walmart today on an 8 degree day prompts me to post my top most "what were they thinking" moment. The 30-something guy that comes in wearing long gym shorts and a hoodie. I've seen this sort of thing for decades and am always stupified, not so much from the sartorial perspective but simple physical comfort. Me, I'm wearing the warmest coat I own, an old, heavy WWII great coat that must weigh 10 pounds and goes down near ankle length.

 

[smmrfld]

Since you focused on comfort rather than appearance, if that rig is comfortable for him, why judge? What's optimal for one isn't necessarily best for another. Lots of other things to be concerned with in today's world, IMO.

 

[Tweedlover]

Since you focused on comfort rather than appearance, if that rig is comfortable for him, why judge? What's optimal for one isn't necessarily best for another. Lots of other things to be concerned with in today's world, IMO.

The look doesn't bother me. It's wondering how he can't be freezing in that outfit.

 

[Andy]

Here you can share those approaches to the clothes we wear that make you scratch your head and go "what were they thinking?" My morning outing to Walmart today on an 8 degree day prompts me to post my top most "what were they thinking" moment. The 30-something guy that comes in wearing long gym shorts and a hoodie. I've seen this sort of thing for decades and am always stupified, not so much from the sartorial perspective but simple physical comfort. Me, I'm wearing the warmest coat I own, an old, heavy WWII great coat that must weigh 10 pounds and goes down near ankle length.

Tweedlover:

Ignorance, not to mention lack of concern about self-image! It's similar to the folks at the theatre here in California in shorts and tee-shirts! I don't think the logical answer is "comfort". I've been very comfortable in a nice suit, tie and shoes that fit properly.

 

[Rosarito]

This thread made me recall my late 1980s teenage skateboarding days when I would wear shorts and sneakers no matter what was going on with the weather. If my mom caught me leaving the house on a cold day and told me to dress warmer, I'd throw on a second t-shirt. Occasionally, someone would ask if my legs were cold. I always said, "Nah, I'm used to it." I think your Walmart man's legs might just be used to it.

 

[moltoelegante]

No words necessary.

 

[eagle2250]

No words necessary.

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To my eye, that photo looks to be pretty cheeky...Oh my!

 

[Tweedlover]

No words necessary.

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While fortunately that style seems to have passed, did see a younger fellow this past summer still sporting that look. It always looked ridiculous to me.

 

[Howard]

No words necessary.

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It's the way the kids of today like to wear their pants.

 

[TKI67]

Tweedlover:

Ignorance, not to mention lack of concern about self-image! It's similar to the folks at the theatre here in California in shorts and tee-shirts! I don't think the logical answer is "comfort". I've been very comfortable in a nice suit, tie and shoes that fit properly.

I agree completely. To me khakis and OCBDs are about as comfortable as clothing can be, and adding a Shetland when the mercury plunges is just awfully nice. A tie with a properly sized shirt is not only comfortable it is warm.

 

[ItalianStyle]

No words necessary.

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I find it funny when some people try to follow a trend in a way that goes directly against the trend:

I once walked behind a young guy, who - at first glance - looked to be wearing his 3/4 length shorts in the above way (although slightly slanted).
Looking closer, I realized that he was actually wearing those shorts at the hip, but the shorts were designed in a way to give the impression of being worn 'prison style'. So the upper part of the shorts were made of fabric that should resemble underwear and then below - slightly slanted - fabric that should look like shorts worn low. Not sure how much street-cred he would get...

Another example is when the 'ripped jeans' craze was hitting. Soon after you could buy pre-ripped jeans in the stores. So far so good, but then some brand started selling pre-ripped jeans, where the rips were carefully stitched so they wouldn't fray. I'm sure they meant well - "We can't have customers complaining that their jeans are falling apart" - but I don't think they understood the trend.

 

[Tweedlover]

Ripped or holey jeans were the in thing when I was a young buck in the early 1970's.

 

[ItalianStyle]

Ripped or holey jeans were the in thing when I was a young buck in the early 1970's.

That sounds about right... I think the ripped jeans fad has come and gone several times since then - each time probably with a different 'statement'.
My story was from the 1980's in Europe...

 

[Troones]

Who remembers “acid wash” jeans? No, you didn’t dream them. They actually existed.

 

[smmrfld]

Who remembers “acid wash” jeans? No, you didn’t dream them. They actually existed.

Eh? Acid wash is still a popular denim finish.

 

[Howard]

Who remembers “acid wash” jeans? No, you didn’t dream them. They actually existed.

Wasn't that back In the 1980's?

 

[Howard]

Who thinks wearing short sleeved shirts and shorts in the winter is a bad clothing choice?

 

[Tweedlover]

Who thinks wearing short sleeved shirts and shorts in the winter is a bad clothing choice?

Yup, that's what I meant when I started this thread. I had to go out in 12 degree weather this afternoon dressed in 1 of my old long topcoats and I still was mighty cold.

 

[Andy]

I find it funny when some people try to follow a trend in a way that goes directly against the trend:

I once walked behind a young guy, who - at first glance - looked to be wearing his 3/4 length shorts in the above way (although slightly slanted).
Looking closer, I realized that he was actually wearing those shorts at the hip, but the shorts were designed in a way to give the impression of being worn 'prison style'. So the upper part of the shorts were made of fabric that should resemble underwear and then below - slightly slanted - fabric that should look like shorts worn low. Not sure how much street-cred he would get...

Another example is when the 'ripped jeans' craze was hitting. Soon after you could buy pre-ripped jeans in the stores. So far so good, but then some brand started selling pre-ripped jeans, where the rips were carefully stitched so they wouldn't fray. I'm sure they meant well - "We can't have customers complaining that their jeans are falling apart" - but I don't think they understood the trend.

From The Encyclopedia of Men's Clothes:

In 1987 the public desire for the “ripped and torn” look was supplied by manufacturers who sold jeans that were already slashed, washed, sand blown and braised! The baggy look gained popularity in 1992, inspired by beltless prison jeans and the look of prisoners who loose weight serving time in the “big house”.

 

[Tweedlover]

OK, here's one from the more minor spectrum of my questioning: I still see photos of folks wearing ties where purposely the rear blade of the tie hangs notably lower than the front. Sorry, but am way too traditional for that to ever look right to me.