Serious Fashion Question

[Anonymous]

Why in the 30s-90s were women able to dress themselves daily to be put together incorporating all sorts of styles, pieces and accessories. And not just in the movies - look at any news footage from all over the world - people were thin, polished and put together. And these women and men were from all walks of life -including the lower middle class - and today women with oodles of money are looking to influencers to style a pair of jeans, sneakers and a plain t shirts so blah it’s amazing there are hundreds of influencers pitching the same exact basic formula so obvious (you can’t mess up white pants and a white shirt - wow….)? Young women in the office are completely lost….and I can’t believe how awful people look at restaurants and out and about. Anyway - what happened and why has dressing become so hard for so many?

[Anonymous]

Because we can now afford to second, third and fourth guess ourselves.

Back then, there was way less choice, and clothes cost a lot more than they do today. Communication took a lot more effort - people had to physically come to you, or you had to go to them. You did not have the luxury of thousands of online options, and so didn't have a ton of questions to ask yourself, or ask of others. You could only indulge in which ruffle, pleat and ribbon went where, and what color scheme would work with what design of hat, gloves and bag if you were extremely wealthy and gave carte blanche to your dressmaker.

As we've moved in to the modern period, and especially with explosion of internet communication and sales, we have moved to a different paradigm where the problem is too much choice and therefore the conversation is different too.

[Anonymous]

Everyday women were not always thin and put together. They didn't have the time or the means. Housework was a whole other level, even through the 70s, let alone if you worked. Women wore simple house dresses at home all day back in the first half of that period. People owned far fewer clothes and they were likely better made, often by the wearer, because they had to last. So those nice outfits were few and special.

But to answer your question, maybe we have actually EVOLVED. Maybe we are inching closer to women not being valued solely on their appearance. Maybe some people just want to be AND be comfortable and not worry about crafting some image.

I would never criticize a person who enjoys fashion and takes pleasure from crafting an outfit. That's wonderful, for you. BUT many people just want to be at ease. And why shouldn't they.

[Anonymous]

People were thinner, expectations were higher, clothes were better and sort of more normal. You could look I in the mirror and use common sense.

I agree the influencer stuff is mind boggling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyday women were not always thin and put together. They didn't have the time or the means. Housework was a whole other level, even through the 70s, let alone if you worked. Women wore simple house dresses at home all day back in the first half of that period. People owned far fewer clothes and they were likely better made, often by the wearer, because they had to last. So those nice outfits were few and special.

But to answer your question, maybe we have actually EVOLVED. Maybe we are inching closer to women not being valued solely on their appearance. Maybe some people just want to be AND be comfortable and not worry about crafting some image.

I would never criticize a person who enjoys fashion and takes pleasure from crafting an outfit. That's wonderful, for you. BUT many people just want to be at ease. And why shouldn't they.

This ignores the fact that men from all walks of life too were better dressed and more put together than they are today. People in general took care to present themselves as best they could to the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why in the 30s-90s were women able to dress themselves daily to be put together incorporating all sorts of styles, pieces and accessories. And not just in the movies - look at any news footage from all over the world - people were thin, polished and put together. And these women and men were from all walks of life -including the lower middle class - and today women with oodles of money are looking to influencers to style a pair of jeans, sneakers and a plain t shirts so blah it’s amazing there are hundreds of influencers pitching the same exact basic formula so obvious (you can’t mess up white pants and a white shirt - wow….)? Young women in the office are completely lost….and I can’t believe how awful people look at restaurants and out and about. Anyway - what happened and why has dressing become so hard for so many?

We banned smoking, which resulted in everyone getting fat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyday women were not always thin and put together. They didn't have the time or the means. Housework was a whole other level, even through the 70s, let alone if you worked. Women wore simple house dresses at home all day back in the first half of that period. People owned far fewer clothes and they were likely better made, often by the wearer, because they had to last. So those nice outfits were few and special.

But to answer your question, maybe we have actually EVOLVED. Maybe we are inching closer to women not being valued solely on their appearance. Maybe some people just want to be AND be comfortable and not worry about crafting some image.

I would never criticize a person who enjoys fashion and takes pleasure from crafting an outfit. That's wonderful, for you. BUT many people just want to be at ease. And why shouldn't they.

Everyday women were thin.

Everyone was thin.

Go look up the "fat" kids in your high school yearbook.

The fattest people from the 90s and earlier would be considered average to below average sized.

[Anonymous]

My mom was born in 1950, and she was never thin or polished. She was obese and although she mostly would buy pants and a shirt that went together, she never looked polished.

I was born in the '70's and you'll be SHOCKED to know I have also never been thin. I rarely look polished.

[Anonymous]

Today, everyone thinks they should be comfortable 24/7. Lycra or stretch has become a necessity. My current pet peeve are sweatshirt material matching sets. Every influencer pushes them. I cannot participate.

[Anonymous]

If looking more polished means wearing pantyhose, well I will never look polished again. Hated hated hated them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyday women were not always thin and put together. They didn't have the time or the means. Housework was a whole other level, even through the 70s, let alone if you worked. Women wore simple house dresses at home all day back in the first half of that period. People owned far fewer clothes and they were likely better made, often by the wearer, because they had to last. So those nice outfits were few and special.

But to answer your question, maybe we have actually EVOLVED. Maybe we are inching closer to women not being valued solely on their appearance. Maybe some people just want to be AND be comfortable and not worry about crafting some image.

I would never criticize a person who enjoys fashion and takes pleasure from crafting an outfit. That's wonderful, for you. BUT many people just want to be at ease. And why shouldn't they.

This ignores the fact that men from all walks of life too were better dressed and more put together than they are today. People in general took care to present themselves as best they could to the world.

I don't know that you have proven this. You realize that old photographs were taken on special occasions? People weren't running around taking tons of pictures of the mundane back then. It was all film. Most people didn't have a camera or only pulled it out when they were doing something special, thus pictures of them in their best clothes. And if you look at documentary type photos of everyday people, they are in work uniforms or plain dresses. You got dressed up in that one or two special outfits you had for church or for special functions.

And--have you seen photos from the 70s?

Maybe you just have nostalgia for old dress clothes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If looking more polished means wearing pantyhose, well I will never look polished again. Hated hated hated them.

Oh I am soooooooooooo with you. The bane of existence.

[Anonymous]

This is 6:25 again.

I forgot to add that I do detest all the influencer stuff. Not an upside of social media.

[Anonymous]

Quality of clothing was better in terms of fit, fabric and construction. People ate far smaller portions back then. The crazy for fast fashion and gluttonous servings started in the mid to late 90s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why in the 30s-90s were women able to dress themselves daily to be put together incorporating all sorts of styles, pieces and accessories. And not just in the movies - look at any news footage from all over the world - people were thin, polished and put together. And these women and men were from all walks of life -including the lower middle class - and today women with oodles of money are looking to influencers to style a pair of jeans, sneakers and a plain t shirts so blah it’s amazing there are hundreds of influencers pitching the same exact basic formula so obvious (you can’t mess up white pants and a white shirt - wow….)? Young women in the office are completely lost….and I can’t believe how awful people look at restaurants and out and about. Anyway - what happened and why has dressing become so hard for so many?

We banned smoking, which resulted in everyone getting fat.

We banned smoking? Some of you just say anything.