Stuart Erskine quote in and out of context

[BobF]

I think something similar can be said about most wardrobes these days. So many people show up in public dressed more appropriately for cleaning out the garage than for dining out, walking through a store or down the street. No class, no manners, no respect for others or self. No sense of what is appropriate under any circumstances.

I have been volunteering with our local opera company since 1989, and my perpetual complaint is that many men show up looking as though they had just come in from mowing the lawn or working under their car. Worn-out madras short-sleeve shirts and shorts seem to be standard uniform. A little better is a polo shirt and more formal shorts. The women dress a bit better, but invariably douse themselves with unhealthy amounts of perfume, which often gag me even when I’m all the way up in the projection room running supertitles. I wonder if they’d be less inclined to wear perfume if they realized just how much it affects the singers.

[Jock Scot]

There is also another side of the coin here and the "garage cleaning" comment is very pertinant. .............. On the other side of the coin is....... Overdressing for an occasion and with kilt attire that is quite easy to do. I am not going to get mired in detail here , but we see it here on this website regularly.

[kilted2000]

To be fair, people of 1850 would find people in the 1940s dressed inappropriately. Tastes and attitudes change through the generations and people have been saying versions of ‘kids these days’ for centuries. While I personally prefer the more traditional styles, its a personal preference. Someone in 1901 might say the non stiff/ attached shirt collars are unsuitable and people aren't showing respect for others or themselves. It's all relative.

[Janner52]

To be fair, people of 1850 would find people in the 1940s dressed inappropriately. Tastes and attitudes change through the generations and people have been saying versions of ‘kids these days’ for centuries. While I personally prefer the more traditional styles, its a personal preference. Someone in 1901 might say the non stiff/ attached shirt collars are unsuitable and people aren't showing respect for others or themselves. It's all relative.

Fashion has changed over the years and clothing has become more comfortable and appropriate for the weather conditions. e.g. men are no longer wearing three piece suits with long underwear in summer weather, which makes absolute sense, but clothing remained reasonable smart. However, over the last 20 years or so standards have dropped to total slobbishness for some.

[Jock Scot]

Fashion has changed over the years and clothing has become more comfortable and appropriate for the weather conditions. e.g. men are no longer wearing three piece suits with long underwear in summer weather, which makes absolute sense, but clothing remained reasonable smart. However, over the last 20 years or so standards have dropped to total slobbishness for some.

Or-------------dress to excess. Usually at weddings and formal evening functions.

[jsrnephdoc]

Or-------------dress to excess. Usually at weddings and formal evening functions.

Jock, I'm a bit puzzled by this post. Is one overdressed if one wears formal wear to an event where the dress code is "formal?"

I suspect that a good many of us frequent this very site partly because we're troubled by the "thong sandals, T-shirts, and baggy shorts that barely cover the butt crack are fine for every event" practice so pervasive today that others have critiqued in this very thread. I'm certain you're not endorsing that behavior, but I'd also guess that many of us approaching the time when we'll need 3 digits to list our ages in years remember fondly (as OCR does) a time when "looking good" was appreciated, even honored.

I know that after I lost EVERY BIT of clothing that wasn't on my back at the moment in a wildfire conflagration back in 2017, one of my first "happy" aftermath experiences was visiting a men's ready-to-wear shop to replace 2 business suits and an overcoat. But, in retirement, I almost have NO reason to wear any of those. Of course, one reason for that is an evolution in my own concept of what "looking good" actually means. So, if it's "formal" I won't rent a tuxedo (I DID own one pre-fire and needed it at least once a year, but knew I'd never need one again once I acquired my Prince Charlie), and if the occasion is "business dress" I'll come in an Argyll up top of a kilt, day sporran and brown "Wing-tips."

I don't think any of that is "dress to excess." Now, I AM careful not to insult someone who knows by sporting heraldry I didn't earn or adding a dirk to my outfit. Indeed, most often I stuff my little plastic T-Rex-head ball point pen into my kilt hose instead of a real Sgian dubh, partly to see if anyone notices, but also because I don't want to set off metal detectors and be refused admission to some public event.

[Jock Scot]

Jock, I'm a bit puzzled by this post. Is one overdressed if one wears formal wear to an event where the dress code is "formal?"

.

Again you mis-understand me. Of course one wears formal attire to formal events, but, not all formal events require the same style of clothing. It is the unnecessary add ons--------tartan bow ties for example------------ that some wear with their kilt attire, that I am referring to. Difficult, sometimes, to define and it does depend on the event , but..................

[OC Richard]

Is one overdressed if one wears formal wear to an event where the dress code is "formal?"

I AM careful not to insult someone who knows by sporting heraldry I didn't earn or adding a dirk to my outfit.

The problem is that formal Highland Dress has far more potential for excess than "Saxon" formal wear.

If men are in Tuxedos it's likely their only accessories will be cufflinks and a wristwatch.

But put a man in a Prince Charlie and they push the boat out, the apparent motto being "let nothing be left behind" AKA "if you own it, wear it".

I've piped a morning church services where men are wearing kilts, Prince Charlies, Glengarries with big feathers, plaids & brooches, numerous pins on their lapels and kilts, and multiple edged weapons (sometimes even swords, ready should the sasunnaich burst in).