The question isn't "when did people start 'dressing up' for kids [sic] parties"; the question is: When did women stop dressing appropriately for virtually any aspect of life outside of an office?

I guarantee it doesn't take me any more time to put on a summer casual dress, sandals, brush my hair and apply concealer, blush and tinted lip balm than it does for you to put on your "leisurewear," a sloppy top knot and sneakers.

I wear a dress and sandals to my kids’ preschool friends’ parties. I am socializing with other parents, not running to the grocery store, cleaning my house or doing yard work. I also comb my hair and wear light makeup. I basically dress the same as if we were coming to a casual backyard cookout or meeting up with adults for a casual meal.

Anonymous wrote:I've never, ever understood this mindset.

Show me, exactly, how it is any more effort--or any less comfortable--to throw a dress over your head than to throw on a T-shirt and capris or leggings or jeans or some such?

There's nothing harder about wearing a dress. In fact, it's easier--it's one item of clothing.

Seriously this. I pity men who will never know the comfort of a loose cotton summer dress.

It’s hot and dresses are cooler.

It’s also very likely they are coming from somewhere else. Church before a Sunday party for example.

At my old job I used to get compliments whenever I wore dresses.

People thought it was a step up from business casual. What it really meant is that I needed something fast and I didn’t have time to coordinate shirt/pants/etc.

I've never, ever understood this mindset.

Show me, exactly, how it is any more effort--or any less comfortable--to throw a dress over your head than to throw on a T-shirt and capris or leggings or jeans or some such?

There's nothing harder about wearing a dress. In fact, it's easier--it's one item of clothing.

I always dress up...don't own a ton of casual clothes unless it's for working out. That's just the way I roll. It's not to impress anybody--especially pre-schoolers

A dress, skirt, or nice jeans, these are appropriate clothes to wear. Not leisurewear.

Like fancy dresses or a sundress? A daytime dress is not dressing up.

In the summer, a casual dress is more appropriate for a party than "athliesurewear."

You're not there to mow a lawn, or do step aeorobics. You're there to celebrate a birthday. You don't have to wear anything fancy, but a sundress is both comfortable AND appropriate for a party of any sort.

Wearing a sundress = not wearing pants. So don't act like you're more comfortable than I am. I am dressed casually; I'm just not dressed sloppily. Sorry that you feel conspicuous because I have on a real bra and managed to wash and brush my hair.

Some people dress up, some don't. FWITS I am not very fashionable, still I don't consider dresses to be too 'dressed up'. Its a celebration, so I think its appropriate if someone wears something nice

When people started putting everything on instagram

I have noticed recently that parents are in dresses and such instead of leisurewear.