My grandson was the cutest little hobbit I have ever seen. Looking at him in his Halloween costume simply made my heart sing.
My other grandson dressed up as a bumblebee. Adorable.
My granddaughter donned a pirate’s costume. It was such fun watching them dress up! My only effort included some pumpkin earrings which lit up and blinked.I remember as a child, dressing up as Aunt Jemima whose face appeared on the pancake box. I would make a paste out of Fry’s cocoa and slather it on my face. Today, my costume would be frowned upon as being completely politically incorrect. Just ask our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who years ago appeared in blackface.
Now that Halloween is over, I still ponder the question as to why nobody dresses up anymore. I don’t mean a costume; just generally speaking.
I recently was stuck in traffic when hundreds of high school kids poured out onto the sidewalks. I had time to look at them as they sauntered by dressed in baggy, shapeless clothes of black, white or grey. They looked androgynous and slovenly.
I remember in high school, we gals loved to dress up in our colourful mini dresses with bright pink or lilac stockings. And don’t forget the fabulous shoes.
Fast forward to my first graduation from UBC and landing a full-time job. The first thing I did was get a credit card from Holt Renfrew and buy silk dresses. However, I had one supervisor who said to me, “Why can’t you dress more like a social worker?” To which I replied, “You mean wear polyester like you?”
She said my nice clothes created a power imbalance between me and my patients. What absolute rubbish! I loved fashion and I liked looking good for work. I felt if I made an effort, it would cheer up my patients and make them feel respected.
I was visiting the Empress Hotel in Victoria recently and tourists were lined up for high tea in the lobby. They looked like they were dressed for a walk in the woods. I prefer to dress up and sport a fabulous hat, dahling!
When I attended an opera recently at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, I saw young women wearing blue jeans.
Why doesn’t anyone want to dress up and make an effort anymore?
Well, I imagine there are several reasons why people might not dress up fashionably.
Some prioritize comfort over fashion. Wearing clothes that feel good can take precedence, especially for those with busy lifestyles.
Fashionable clothing can be expensive, and not everyone has the financial means to invest in the latest trends. For some, budgeting for essentials takes priority over purchasing trendy garments.
Fashion choices are often influenced by cultural backgrounds. In some communities, dressing modestly or traditionally may hold greater significance than adhering to current fashion trends.
Not everyone is passionate about fashion. Some individuals may not care about the world of style or haven’t a clue how to mix and match clothing effectively.For some, feelings of insecurity or body image issues can impact their clothing choices. If someone feels uncomfortable with their appearance, they might gravitate towards outfits that don’t draw attention, which can come off as unfashionable.
As mentioned in a previous column, a growing number of people are choosing sustainable fashion over trendy attire, opting for second-hand or ethically produced clothing. This conscious choice may not always align with mainstream fashion trends. xcfZm xcfZm xcfZm xcfZm xcfZm xcfZm xcfZm
My contribution to sartorial splendor is to pack my linen dresses as I head off to Kauai.
Apparently, the wrinkled look is very fashionable. xcfZm xcfZm xcfZm xcfZm xcfZm xcfZm xcfZm