Monthly Archives: December 2012

By Ginna Wilbanks

This summer I attended an evening showing of Chekhov’s play “Uncle Vanya” in New York City with my grandmother. Raised during a much more formal time in a strict Victorian household, she takes her tea at four o’clock and had taught me the correct way to set a table by the time I was 7. So naturally, we dressed in attire appropriate for such an evening occasion.

Vogue’s illustrious European Editor-at-Large Hamish Bowles was seated in the row behind us, in attendance to watch his friend Cate Blanchett take the stage as the beautiful yet tragic Yelena. Always dressed to the nines, Bowles looked smashing in his coordinating crisp yellow button-down and baby blue suit.

In an attempt not to stare at one of my style icons, I let my eyes roam. Hawaiian shirts, jeans and even, to my horror, running shorts and tennis shoes littered the audience.

Once I’d recovered from my shock, I started thinking: What has society come to? What happened to the days of dressing up for church, of men wearing jackets to dinner? We now live in a world of Casual Friday’s and workout-wear that travels far beyond the gym – to meetings, the movies, even an upscale restaurant.

- The No-Time Bind -

Many would argue that our own success – especially in the field of technology — has driven these changes. Our modern existence, filled with beeping cell phones and packed schedules, has kicked into a level of hyper-speed unlike anything before it.

We take a more casual approach to entertaining, communicating and dressing as a result of our fast-paced lives. Why send a hand-written note when you can e-mail? And why wear a dress you’ll have to pick up from the dry cleaners to an evening play, when you look fabulous in jeans – and aren’t jeans ALWAYS appropriate in our modern world?

New York Times writer Taffy Brodesser-Akner says America has acquired the status of an “elastic-waist nation.”

A fabulous mental image comes to mind, doesn’t it? No, definitely not. Despite crazy schedules and our love of Lululemon, I believe a happy medium between ball gowns and sweatpants is achievable.

We may no longer live in the time of the original etiquette guru, Emily Post, when using the wrong fork at dinner could send you plummeting down the social ladder. But societal standards and the impact of first impressions haven’t gone anywhere.  Male chivalry may be dead (shame on you, boys!) — but we can’t blame this on guys, especially when some of our outfits don’t exactly give the impression that women want to be catered to. Taking two extra minutes to read this article and to put away those Lulus is definitely worth the effort.

- SOCIAL OUTINGS -

“As with most situations, it is always better to be overdressed than under.” – Jodi R. R. Smith, author & etiquette expert

Social outings — whether you’re attending a concert, visiting a museum or simply going shopping — do not necessarily call for dressing to the nines. But dressing accordingly and appropriately is a must. Use common sense: If attending the symphony, don’t dress as if you plan to attend Bonnaroo or Burning Man.

However, even I have to admit that with an ever-growing list of casual trends emerging, it’s hard to avoid falling victim to a comfort-first approach to fashion. Who doesn’t want to be comfortable?  But we’re taking comfy TOO far.

The pajamas-as-everyday-wear, for instance, is one trend that crosses the line. Rihanna donned an Emilio Pucci PJ set for the Tokyo premiere of Battleship, and even Miranda Kerr (who should know better) rocked a pair of PJ pants in public. I don’t care who you are or how much you spent on that outfit — you still look ridiculous. Thankfully society came to its senses and squashed this major fashion mishap quickly.

The pajama trend might be an extreme example, but it supports my argument that American society has reached new levels of casualness.

Mary Valentino, sales director for 10 Crosby Derek Lam, says that she has seen a definite shift from formal to relaxed over the course of her fashion career. She sees the same trend in her customers’ purchases: “For our market it is more casual pieces, but pieces that can be worn day to night.”

People are not only dressing down during the day, but are attempting to adapt casual pieces to work for night as well.

There is a correct and classy way to accomplish this. When styling a casual piece for day, pair it with a colorful shoulder bag and neutral flats. For night ditch the flats for a funky pair of heels and add a clutch and bold jewelry to spice it up.

 

- DINNER ATTIRE - 

Are Lululemon’s the new dinner dress code?

While dining at the posh, conservative Patrizio’s restaurant in Highland Park Village last week, I surveyed the scene of well-dressed elderly couples and high-heeled, gussied-up Dallasites. Seated with my own high-heeled, gussied-up friends, I found myself judging the girls rocking sweatpants, T-shirts and ponytails.

Is this judgment fair? I can certainly recall instances when I, too, have sported workout gear to dining establishments that call for nicer clothing. This situation is yet another example of comfort over dignity.

Did I know the expected level of appropriate dress for this type of restaurant? Definitely. Did I know my fellow restaurant-goers would possibly judge my slovenly appearance?  Probably. Did I take the extra minute to throw on a pair of jeans and boots? Nope. But did anyone actually comment on or criticize my attire? Not surprisingly, no.

Gone are the days of dinner jackets and cocktail dresses for dining out on the town.  Wearing extremely casual attire, no matter the venue, is becoming the norm. Unless a restaurant states otherwise in a dress code policy, jeans are now generally considered acceptable dinner apparel.

In the book “Emily Post: Manners for the New World,” the current generation of Posts advise, “Whether casual or formal the principles of respect and consideration for others, plus a strong measure of common sense, should guide your decisions.”

SMU Fashionistas are smart and well bred. Therefore, they have an abundance of common sense.  Common sense should tell us that the family dining at the next table probably doesn’t want to smell our sweaty T-shirts and dirty tennis shoes while they are trying to enjoy their meal.

Sweatpants are for working out and eating Chinese food on your couch. So no matter how perky your tush may look in them, ditch the Lulu’s in favor of something a little nicer.  Keep the high pony if you must, but opt for skinny jeans, a pretty blouse and a killer pair of heels when hitting the town for dinner. You will look good and more importantly you will FEEL good about yourself.

- WORK WEAR -

What is it??

Work wear has suffered the most drastic drop in formality. With the skyrocketing rise of social media and the emergence of a more creative culture, job descriptions and positions have become more amorphous than ever. The question of what to wear to work has followed suit (although not literally!).

Men’s suits aren’t the only staples that we see less of today. According to the March 16, 2011 New York Times article, “To Stretch or not to Stretch,” the trend forecasting agency WGSN reported that women are dressing more casually for work today, too: “A mere 4 percent of women in the United States now say they wear strict business attire, with 31 percent claiming to dress completely casually.”

The idea of “Casual Friday” has clearly expanded to include the rest of the week as well.

Says Allison Hollins, an account consultant at the Dallas-based fashion blog marketer rewardStyle: “You would think that working in the fashion/fashion-blogging industry would require you to dress in a certain way, but in reality our everyday dress code is extremely casual.”

Hollins says that on any given day her co-workers could be wearing Lululemon or a stylish, dressier ensemble. The thought process behind this no-dress-code policy is that employees will be more productive if they have the freedom to choose their outfit.

This theory might prove true, but it only makes the decision of what to wear more difficult. Vogue, Net-a-Porter and other fashion giants are not only attempting to act as guides to solve this dilemma, but they are also making a push toward the return of professional yet stylish work wear. Anna Wintour would definitely not approve of sweatpants in the office.

This theory also gives employees an excuse to slack off with their outfit choices. If, like Hollins, you have the choice to wear Lulu’s to work, why wouldn’t you? For starters, you are suppressing your inner stylista. Also, you are missing out on a chance to show off your fabulous closet.

Similar to the idea of transitioning casual pieces from day to night, work pieces can be rocked at the office as well as the bar. Slacks and a silk blouse don’t have to be stuffy.  Pick a neutral pant and top with a subtle pattern for the day, but add some sassy heels, jewelry and a clutch for night.

Despite whatever dress code the boss or company may or may not enforce, you are still there to WORK in a professional atmosphere. So dress like a put-together professional.

- The Most Important Lesson of All - 

We can talk about casual versus formal dressing endlessly, but we seem to be forgetting something key. The importance and impact of first impressions rarely wavers.

Yes, workout apparel has become acceptable as an everyday outfit. Yes, people get away with Hawaiian shirts as dinner attire. But by slacking off with our outwards appearance, we are cheating ourselves.

I posed a certain scenario to Hollins: If a potential client came in for a meeting dressed as a total slob but her work was brilliant, would the client’s appearance have any impact on Hollins’ decision to work with her?

She admits that her company has more of a creative environment and therefore the work does count more.

But then she adds, “As much as I would like to say I don’t judge a book by its cover — first impressions are everything.”

As etiquette guru Jodi R. R. Smith says, “Unfortunately, you do not have time to read every book you encounter from beginning to end.”