Dress Code Across the U.S.

[Little32]

Originally Posted by OleMissRebel

We wore what are parents wore when they were in college. Classiness isn't a trend that fades away over time.

Except that what is deemed "classy" does change. The things people wore and deemed appropriate at the turn of the 20th century or even mid-century are archaic today. Those same folks, your great, great grand parents even, would look at what you wear now and shake their heads in dismay.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Little32

Except that what is deemed "classy" does change. The things people wore and deemed appropriate at the turn of the 20th century or even mid-century are archaic today. Those same folks, your great, great grand parents even, would look at what you wear now and shake their heads in dismay.

But some of these labels have been around for 50-80 years and they have remained pretty traditional. They haven't tried to appeal to a younger crowd that follows trends and fads.

[SWTXBelle]

How about "classic" instead of "classy". Certain styles are classic - you could wear them then, you could wear them now - for example, the blue blazer is a classic. Lapels may change some, and the tie you wear with it, but a blue blazer is a classic.

[Little32]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

How about "classic" instead of "classy". Certain styles are classic - you could wear them then, you could wear them now - for example, the blue blazer is a classic. Lapels may change some, and the tie you wear with it, but a blue blazer is a classic.

I was going to make the distinction between classic and classy in my early post, but then I didn't.

I think, however, my point stands. Fashion changes. It just does; that is the nature of the beast.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Lucky SC

The only tradition i can see in this is the fact that your grandad might have worn polo, but their line has definately changed from then to now. The only thing probably identical in style is the classic khaki's and a blazer or a plain old suit.

LOL. My grandfather wouldn't have dreamed of wearing Polo. Polo wasn't widely available or popular until the 1980s. And I can remember how many, many old-school types thought it was just too trendy, faddish and designerish to wear. (I still don't like to wear it.)

Classiness isn't a trend that fades away over time. We just like to keep it classy at all time, no matter what we may be doing.

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

How about "classic" instead of "classy". Certain styles are classic - you could wear them then, you could wear them now - for example, the blue blazer is a classic. Lapels may change some, and the tie you wear with it, but a blue blazer is a classic.

Good clarification, because, as should be clear, holding to the classics doesn't guarentee classiness.

[Lucky SC]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

But some of these labels have been around for 50-80 years and they have remained pretty traditional. They haven't tried to appeal to a younger crowd that follows trends and fads.

my dad's side of the family is as southern as it gets, farmers from alabama while my mom's side are all still in Ireland so i see both sides of the spectrum... both extremes lol.


I could not imagine nor have i ever seen anyone in my family wearing bow ties with crabs or marlins on them (southern proper, southern tide, vineyard vines etc) or blue, green, pink shorts that a "frat boy" would be wearing.

I'm not making a statement about not liking it, because i wear that kind of stuff. But to say there is no trend in the style of dress is ignorant, people in the 1920's - 1940's were not wearing stuff like this.

get over it, its not all tradition. The only tradition i can see in this is the fact that your grandad might have worn polo, but their line has definately changed from then to now. The only thing probably identical in style is the classic khaki's and a blazer or a plain old suit.

Their is definatley some essence of fad in some of the dress of a fraternity man.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Lucky SC

my dad's side of the family is as southern as it gets, farmers from alabama while my mom's side are all still in Ireland so i see both sides of the spectrum... both extremes lol.


I could not imagine nor have i ever seen anyone in my family wearing bow ties with crabs or marlins on them (southern proper, southern tide, vineyard vines etc) or blue, green, pink shorts that a "frat boy" would be wearing.

I'm not making a statement about not liking it, because i wear that kind of stuff. But to say there is no trend in the style of dress is ignorant, people in the 1920's - 1940's were not wearing stuff like this.

get over it, its not all tradition. The only tradition i can see in this is the fact that your grandad might have worn polo, but their line has definately changed from then to now. The only thing probably identical in style is the classic khaki's and a blazer or a plain old suit.

Their is definatley some essence of fad in some of the dress of a fraternity man.

Yeah but it's important to note that "fraternity men" aren't the only ones wearing the bowties with the crabs or marlins on them or any of that other stuff. Don't give them too much credit.

And I think this is where people need to stop putting "Southern" in one category. What a lot of people on this board consider "Southern," I and the people I associate with do not--this would be justified by telling us that we aren't from the Deep South, of course, but even the people I know who are from the Deep South don't conform to this Southern style that I keep reading about.

And your father's side of the family are Alabama farmers but thatmight be a different type of "Southern" than some of these "Southern preps" are talking about.

I think there are extremes that are almost caricatures of "Southern." It goes back to what I said about people trying really hard to shove their "Southern-ness" in your face and make you believe that they are "preppy" or come from "old money."

[Lucky SC]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Yeah but it's important to note that "fraternity men" aren't the only ones wearing the bowties with the crabs or marlins on them or any of that other stuff. Don't give them too much credit.

And I think this is where people need to stop putting "Southern" in one category. What a lot of people on this board consider "Southern," I and the people I associate with do not--this would be justified by telling us that we aren't from the Deep South, of course, but even the people I know who are from the Deep South don't conform to this Southern style that I keep reading about.

And your father's side of the family are Alabama farmers but thatmight be a different type of "Southern" than some of these "Southern preps" are talking about.

I think there are extremes that are almost caricatures of "Southern." It goes back to what I said about people trying really hard to shove their "Southern-ness" in your face and make you believe that they are "preppy" or come from "old money."

you hit the nail on the head of what i'm trying to say.

because my family doesn't come from money yet they have a long southern lineage, they don't need all of the fancy clothes to show it to anyone. I feel like some people are describing the wardrobe as something that classifies the area around the SEC schools, when in reality its something really more so on college campuses that a preppy or greek person would wear.

[ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl]

Originally Posted by Lucky SC

you hit the nail on the head of what i'm trying to say.

because my family doesn't come from money yet they have a long southern lineage, they don't need all of the fancy clothes to show it to anyone. I feel like some people are describing the wardrobe as something that classifies the area around the SEC schools, when in reality its something really more so on college campuses that a preppy or greek person would wear.

Thank you. My whole family is Deep South, but we don't come from money. My parents simply wanted me to look appropriate for the occasion. If I'm making a presentation I need a conservative outfit or suit. If I'm going through Recruitment I need a reasonably conservative sundress. Brands and trends don't matter to me, and I am very southern. This stuff isn't "southern". There are more than one version of "southern" and they don't get to claim it for themselves! I'm southern. I'm Greek. I wear whatever the hell I want. I buy stuff that looks good on me...not because it's either trendy or classy.

I have a favorite story about a family member. His dad worked in a plant that made polo-style shirts. A few companies might use a different thread count, but for the most part even the shirts going to the high end stores were the same as the ones headed to Wal-Mart in EVERY way except for the label on the shirt. When this family member was asked by his dad what label he wanted (Izod? Polo?) he said he wanted none. He didn't need a tag to look good.

[OleMissRebel]

Originally Posted by ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl

I have a favorite story about a family member. His dad worked in a plant that made polo-style shirts. A few companies might use a different thread count, but for the most part even the shirts going to the high end stores were the same as the ones headed to Wal-Mart in EVERY way except for the label on the shirt. When this family member was asked by his dad what label he wanted (Izod? Polo?) he said he wanted none. He didn't need a tag to look good.

I don't really believe this. You can clearly feel a difference in a Polo or BB shirt when compared to a cheaper polo shirt. Also, the fit is a huge factor. Companies like Abercrombie and American Eagle make shirts to small and they look ridiculous. Polo shirts fit, feel, and just look the best in my opinion.

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by Little32

Except that what is deemed "classy" does change. The things people wore and deemed appropriate at the turn of the 20th century or even mid-century are archaic today. Those same folks, your great, great grand parents even, would look at what you wear now and shake their heads in dismay.

There are clothiers that have been operating since the 1900s that still remain classy and traditional to this day....brands that many of us wear.

I honestly disagree with your statement. I think what constitutes the appropriate dress for a gentleman has changed very little over the past 100 or so years outside of simple changes in design.

[33girl]

I want to know where these TJ Maxx/Marshall's/AJ Wrights are that have these amazing designer finds, because in my experience they're like the unicorn, they just don't exist. I mean the most designer stuff at mine is Calvin Klein or Phat Farm.

[Little32]

Originally Posted by macallan25

I think what constitutes the appropriate dress for a gentleman has changed very little over the past 100 or so years outside of simple changes in design.

Maybe I will bend a bit and give you the former, though not without reiterating the significance of the latter(thinking about the images of the well-dressed hunter posted by MysticCat; you all aren't running around like that are you?); and I still think that folks' ancestors would be surprised about the fashion today.

Certainly for women, my statement stands.

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by Little32

Maybe I will bend a bit and give you the former, though not without reiterating the significance of the latter(thinking about the images of the well-dressed hunter posted by MysticCat; you all aren't running around like that are you?); and I still think that folks' ancestors would be surprised about the fashion today.

Certainly for women, my statement stands.

I agree that our ancestors may find some of the clothing that is worn today very surprising. And yes, I think for women it is dramatically different.

I just don't see it for a guy so much. Wearing shorts was probably unheard of back then, but for the most part, I don't see many changes.