Are smart clothes a thing of the past

[Frimley111R]

I was looking at some nice shirts in a shop the other day and suddenly realised that I wasn't sure where I'd wear one.

I'm more than a bit past night clubs but these days you can get in wearing practically anything, gone of the days of dressing up to go to a club. Offices are getting more and more about smart casual dress wear and I'm not sure where you do go that needs you to dress up a bit.

I quite like it sometimes but a decent restaurant is about as posh a place as I really go.

[Jasandjules]

My dad will wear trousers and a shirt to go shopping.......

[Lozw86]

It depends how formally dressed?

Most office jobs still require a shirt, trousers and shoes and I prefer to look reasonably smart for a day out in the city or an evening out with restaurants, bars, the theatre or a show

[sc0tt]

Frimley111R said:

I was looking at some nice shirts in a shop the other day and suddenly realised that I wasn't sure where I'd wear one.

I'm more than a bit past night clubs but these days you can get in wearing practically anything, gone of the days of dressing up to go to a club. Offices are getting more and more about smart casual dress wear and I'm not sure where you do go that needs you to dress up a bit.

I quite like it sometimes but a decent restaurant is about as posh a place as I really go.

Do you live in the sticks?

[PositronicRay]

I have a suit for funerals, but people seem to be dressing down for those these days.

[TaylotS2K]

I recall a time when you had to wear a collar and dark jeans or trousers with shoes on a night out back in the 90's. Not everywhere had that dress code but a lot of places did. If I'm 'out out' as they say these days - I still always wear shoes, just in case we do go anywhere that has a no sportswear policy but most places have relaxed their dress code these days.

[nicanary]

TaylotS2K said:

I recall a time when you had to wear a collar and dark jeans or trousers with shoes on a night out back in the 90's. Not everywhere had that dress code but a lot of places did. If I'm 'out out' as they say these days - I still always wear shoes, just in case we do go anywhere that has a no sportswear policy but most places have relaxed their dress code these days.

You should have been a teenager in the '60s. Not just "no trainers" but "no jeans", even top-quality ones. We were expected to dress like our dads.

[toon10]

It's still a thing but maybe less than it was in my opinion. When I started out in my office working life, I'd always wear a tie. I can't remember the last time I wore one now.

I remember going to "town" as a young man. That meant a nice shirt tucked in, shoes and if you had to wear jeans, you picked your smart ones. Now they're all wearing skinny ripped bleached jeans, t-shirts and white trainers. God knows what teens would choose for a funeral. old man rant over.

[Thankyou4calling]

I shall generalise for the sake of.

People in Britain are scruffs.

They buy a lot of clothes but it’s essentially price driven so the quality is poor. They don’t fit properly, our natural shape is now fat, therefore (in general) most look awful.

I’m an exception of course but if you look at people in any UK town it really is a depressing sight.

[LimaDelta]

No. Believe it or not there are still plenty of places which enforce a strict dress code.

[toon10]

Thankyou4calling said:

I shall generalise for the sake of.

People in Britain are scruffs.

They buy a lot of clothes but it’s essentially price driven so the quality is poor. They don’t fit properly, our natural shape is now fat, therefore (in general) most look awful.

I’m an exception of course but if you look at people in any UK town it really is a depressing sight.

Are you trying to say a 44 year old man with moobs and a beer belly can't wear skinny jeans and a muscle t-shirt? I'm officially offended

[alorotom]

LimaDelta said:

No. Believe it or not there are still plenty of places which enforce a strict dress code.

Absolutely, just depends where you frequent though.

[BrabusMog]

I opt for the more "Continental" look for work. Smart, dark jeans, a polo top or shirt, a smart jumper or blazer/jacket, and smart trainers or loafers. As it's a bit chilly at the moment, it's a jumper and gilet combo, the jackets will probably come out again in the spring.

I see some people wearing "smart" clothes of such poor quality and/or fit and it makes me wonder why their employers insist on them dressing this way as they would probably look smarter (and be more comfortable) if they were allowed to take a smart/casual approach.

[j_4m]

My suit is for weddings/funerals only. Can't remember the last time I wore a shirt with a collar in day to day life, much less a tie. I work in an office, generally I'll wear whatever jeans I grab that morning, DMs and a t-shirt.

I am, however, a Shoreditch wker.

[Shakermaker]

Frimley111R said:

I was looking at some nice shirts in a shop the other day and suddenly realised that I wasn't sure where I'd wear one.

I'm more than a bit past night clubs but these days you can get in wearing practically anything, gone of the days of dressing up to go to a club. Offices are getting more and more about smart casual dress wear and I'm not sure where you do go that needs you to dress up a bit.

I quite like it sometimes but a decent restaurant is about as posh a place as I really go.

I still quite like to put on a "nice shirt" for going out, as I can easily dress it up/down as necessary. Different cut to a "work shirt" and I tend to feel comfortable if I think I look good!

I can wear a polo, t shirt, jumper, hoodie etc, but sometimes, it just needs to be a shirt

[The Don of Croy]

Casual clothes are much better...all my formal clothes have shrunk in the wardrobe, and are no longer comfortable to wear.

What is it about wardrobes that shrinks clothes (you have not worn for >12 months)?

[dieselgrunt]

Haven't worn a tie in decades. And quite glad as they are horribly stifling. i do wear a suit and shirt if going to a posh restaurant, though i don't know why i bother. Went to half a dozen michelin starred restaurants last year and most men were in jeans/t shirts.

[Sheepshanks]

Frimley111R said:

Offices are getting more and more about smart casual dress wear

Our firm requires the sales reps to wear suits. We had an off-site sales meeting and the dress code was noted as "smart casual" - this caused a right rumpus, firstly as several of them didn't understand what smart causal was, and then because apparenly the only clothes they own are suits and jeans.

[-C-]

Sheepshanks said:

Our firm requires the sales reps to wear suits. We had an off-site sales meeting and the dress code was noted as "smart casual" - this caused a right rumpus, firstly as several of them didn't understand what smart causal was, and then because apparenly the only clothes they own are suits and jeans.

So does ours. Along with some other ridiculous, outdated officewear policies. Mostly driven by ageing parent company directors whom wear a suit to collect the Sunday papers.

I'm gradually introducing change though. We work in an environment externally where suits are totally inappropriate, so are gradually morphing to chino's, company polo shirts & (decent) company fleeces. It creates a much more level playing field & people generally look smarter than hanging old suits, which don't fit properly.

In the office, we're transitioning a bit faster. Gone are the days of wearing a suit & tie to sit at a desk all day. Thankfully.

[bompey]

I have a wedding to go to in a few months and have no idea what to wear. I do still wear a suit to work, but no tie, and often wear jeans, shirt, and shoes outside work but I dont have anything inbetween.

I dont want to wear a suit to a wedding because that's my work gear, but are jeans and a shirt acceptable at a wedding?