Lately it seems - I'm not up on fashion and I don't know when the trend began - they don't put pockets on women's pants.  Even at bowling or a company picnic we have to carry a purse or bag for a kleenex or some spare change.

i wear whatever is the most comfortable for me.

i am a homemaker, so i don't really have the patience or time to worry about what is being worn on the runways in paris...

once or twice a year i'll take a trip to value village and buy a bunch of clothes... i go through the racks and pick out whatever is comfortable in my size.  if it fits and i can move around in it, i decide if it has a few more years left in it, and if it does i buy it.

thats pretty much it.

I wear what is comfortable as well, with slacks/cargo pants and T-shirts being the wardrobe of every day.   I won't buy slacks without pockets.

I do dress up for church and other functions, but again choose for comfort and don't follow the latest fashion....find some of them to be outrageous.
I was in a shopping mall in Guelph a few weeks ago and couldn't find a thing I would wear, especially for dress-up.

Remember the "socks and sandals" thread.....

I resent clothes and detest clothes shopping. Vive Frenchy's! I would subscribe to a service or support a government that provided me with one new set of coveralls a year: surprise me with the colour. I have a lot of teeshirts that I was given in my last writing job; I love them. My wife bought me a nice winter jacket last fall because I was getting very cold and experiencing angina signs on our walks.

I have a set of "good" clothes -- "Sunday best" -- and I don't mind wearing them. Basically, I find it hard to care. I guess I wear what I have that's best suited to the occasion. I nearly forgot: I also have two kilts my dad bought me. One is badly worn because I wore it every day for some years in New Zealand: it was comfortable, perfect for the climate and saved me thinking about what I'd wear. I'm reluctant to wear a kilt in Canada because it seems to be loaded with a lot of stupid messages I don't like.

 For the most part, I wear what's comfortable and what looks good.  Jeans for the most part and depending on the weather a hoodie and t-shirt, sweater, long-sleeved shirt, t-shirt or tank top.  If it's really really cold and I have to be outside for more than 10s I won't wear jeans, but instead wear cords or sweatpants.  On hot days, capris, shorts, a skirt or a dress.

I will say that a long skirt can be cool in hot weather, they allow for the air to circulate fairly well.  I used to do quite a bit of dancing and the weekly socials were fairly casual, but I bought some cheap jersey type dresses because they were much cooler than wearing capris (and shorts were a little too casual).  Even in the winter, the room would get quite hot; sometimes I would wear jeans and after a few hours would be hanging out by the doors, if it wasn't too cold outside I'd just throw on leggings under the dress and take them off as I heated up.

My fiance doesn't really affect what I choose to wear too much.  If we're shopping together his input can be nice, and if there's something he really likes I probably wear it over something else if we're going out together.  If I'm not sure about something and he hates it I won't buy it.  If I love it and he hates it I buy it anyway!  I influence what he wears more, but that's his choice.  He used to buy almost all his clothes at Walmart and didn't have a clue where to even shop in a mall.  I got him into buying some slighter nicer clothes without really changing his style, just increasing the quality a bit.  If I like something, but he doesn't he won't buy it, which keeps both of us happy.  Now he feels comfortable going to a mall and buying clothes for himself, but he still prefers for me to come to give my opinion.

I wear some clothing that's uncomfortable but that's usually for a special occasion.  When I get home, I usually switch out of jeans because I do find them irritating to my skin, but if I'm really uncomfortable in them if I'm just going to work or something I don't have a problem wearing 'active wear' pants out.  I think if I get a job where I can no longer do that I'll miss it quite a bit!

I do abide by society's fashion rule that leggings aren't pants and jeggings aren't jeans!  I own both, but an appropriate top is worn with them.  When I look at the younger students wearing jeggings as jeans who actually look good like that sometimes I wish I had the type of body where I could disregard fashion rules and still look that good, but I'm pretty happy with my appearance.

I, also, tend to do a fair bit of my shopping at value village.  I am not a big fan of a lot of the current fashions which a friend once described as having about as much fabric as a shredded hankie.

I generally dress for three things comfort, warmth (I tend to be one of those perpetually cold people, I wear long sleeved sweaters in weather well over +20C) and modesty.  I don't really see any need for the whole world to see most of my bare front, back or legs.

I dress for comfort with a nod to 'suitable for the occasion' if there is one.  Economy is vital, money spent on clothes, make up and jewelry I view as stolen from the world's needs.  

Mostly I grab 'something to adequately cover my body'. 

I rarely wear skirts or dresses but I have one of each just in case I need em.

I felt disapproval coming my way when I was going to church.  Comments were made about clothing, jewelry etc that caused me to feel judged as not well enough dressed.  I even got comments about wearing the same thing several times instead of having a wide variety of items to display. For me this is a choice but the attitudes of some of the congregation made me wonder about the people who literally can't afford to dress expensively - would they feel accepted?  Who would know - there didn't seem to be any other people there wearing very basic clothing!

Clothes are a subject of great interest to me, always have been.

First: How much choice do we really have?

Not as much as we'd like to think. Reflecting on all the clothing that has been worn in different cultures at different times, we'd look pretty silly in most of it today. We can only choose from what's acceptable today, and that includes set rules for sex and age, and even income bracket as well.

Skirts have become a less acceptable garment today. They represent old fashions and old thinking. A woman almost has to be brave to wear one now, not afraid to be feminine, because today women are expected to be men's equals, and look after themselves, and that generally requires pants. Wearing pants means, "I am capable, and ready." I am a fan of flattering, olden, femine styles. Neck ties, shoulder pads and boxy cuts on women irk me.

True, men's neck ties and shirt collars are restrictive. They represent class, togetherness, intelligence, cleanliness and money. At least now our styles are less restrictive than they were in the 18th and 19th centuries. ANd women, we don't even have to say how much less resrtictive our clothes are now!

When I was a teen, dressing up allways meant being uncomfortable. Short skirt, tights, tight waistband, tight top, keep yer shoulders back, heels, skinny little purse falling off my shoulder. I grew to feel sick in these things, especially the waistbands, and of the pretentious events I attended. So I stopped going.

I am also A VV shopper. I look for things that express somethnig about me. My earthiness, my sence of style, my femininity, without being attention grabbing or uncomfortable, or unsuitable for a mother. I do sometimes let my husband's opinion affect my choice, generally when I am unsure about a thing. Good thing I listened to him when I tried on those orange paisley corduroy pants! "They look like an old couch!" he sais. I never wear shirts shorter than knee length now. I never wear sweats (except yoga pants at home), jeans, or t-shirts as I don't like them.

At least in the city more styles are accepted, and men can wear kilts and sarongs, and punks and mods and hippies can get away with their clothing freedom. Sometimes when I'm coming home from a costume event, I go into a shop or gas station in my costume, just to shake things up a bit! ; )

Elanorgold's clothing fun post.

The Utilikilt

mens' sarong

mens 12th century supertunic

Marlene Dietrich

Liza Minelli

40's Country girl dress

OK, I'll stop here...too fun, I could go on and on!

I like goth dresses and fairy dresses and all types of historic dresses and .....

I once dressed as a witch for a halloween party.  I wore black slacks rather than a skirt because we would be bowling.  A black shirt.  Black socks and shoes.  Black earrngs and beads.  When I took off my pointy hat with the stringy grey hair hanging from it, and went shopping on my way home, no one even batted an eye.  I guess I just looked gothic, or maybe as though I was on my way home from a funeral.  

But I still think that we are pretty much controlled by certain cultural standards.  If you are looking for an office job, women probably wear a suit with either slacks or a skirt, a blouse or top, and some type of jacket.  Men probably wear a suit and tie.  Dress shoes.   Later on, when you've safely landed the job you may dress a little more casually, but I think that those who are looking for success probably follow the company standards.  I've heard that its best to watch what your boss is wearing and dress just one notch down.  I've also heard that its best to dress one notch up from the standard.  So what do you do if your boss is a sloppy dresser?

Seelergirl tells me that some people in her IT industry don't seem to know how to dress.  They think every day is casual Friday, and that Friday is a day for gym clothes.  She also has noticed that these people don't get to meet the top bosses who fly in from head office, or invited to go to a luncheon for a new (or potential) customer, and they don't get the opportunities for frills or advancement.  

It seems to me that the work place definitely influences our clothing choice. 

Church and religious beliefs?   Not so much so in my UCC.  I dress up for church and only in recent years, attending a big drafty sanctuay, have I started wearing dress slacks to church.  I still prefer wearing dresses and making Sunday worship a special occasion.  I also dress up for funerals and weddings - differently for each.   But I've noticed that few men wear their suits in hot weather and the younger people are coming quite casual.    I see signs that the 'street people' who attend our services usually make an attempt to siffy up for the occasion.  

Some other churches and some religious may have a stricter dress code or customs but don't think that all styles are dictated from above.  Some women may feel more comfortable wearing long skirts and head coverings and choose to do it themselves - not because their husbands or their religion dictates.  I know women who regretted when people stopped wearing hats to church - they liked having a nice hat.  

And just as I like my hair cut short in a wash 'n wear style, some women find freedom in letting their hair grow long and tying it back rather than worrying about trips to the beauty parlor.

Comfort is the most important part of wearing clothes.  My ideal is shorts, t-shirts and sandals and I wear those throughout as much of the year as possible.  I need to get a little bit more dressed up for work, so I try to find pretty skorts for warm weather and I usually have black pants for colder weather.  My shoes are actually men's shoes (I have wide feet) and they are standard walking/running style.  They are black so they are "dressy" enough, imo.  I do try to make sure I find clothes that look as good on me as possible, but comfort always comes first.  I don't care how gorgeous something might look...if it isn't comfortable, I'm not buying it.  At the same time, there is a pretty wide range of what's comfortable and some things just don't make the cut because I look hideous in them.  Heels are an absolute no; I bought a pair of very short heels when I was in a wedding several years ago because they felt comfy enough in the store, but I had to take them off in the middle of the ceremony because they hurt so much.  For my own wedding, I wore sports sandals...lol...I figured my dress was long enough to hide my feet anyway, so why not be comfortable?

Some articles of clothing are just impractical; others convey messages that I disagree with. As a man, the tie and jacket fall into both categories for me. A tie is too much like a noose - and I avoid wearing one, even in church, because of their tendency to choke (and raise my blood pressure). They also interfere with my ability to play wind instruments, which I'm often doing in church.  I don't know how male symphony players and choral singers manage to perform wearing ties, given the way they constrict the throat.

As noted above, a tie is also an indicator of class (ie. I'm more important than you are) and I agree with the apostle Paul, who says "in Christ there is neither slave nor free" (or words to that effect in Gal 3), so I'm especially opposed to wearing something intended to set people apart from each other in church. For the same reason, I won't wear a choir gown, and won't become a member of any choir that requires one (besides, I also find them impractical - too much cloth to catch on things.  I've lost two music stands because choir members in gowns have caught the edge of my stand and sent it crashing into things, breaking critical parts.)  (But I think the choir gown issue has already been part of another thread).  

So what message does a congregation send when its men are expected to wear ties and jackets?  That you're expected to do the same if you expect to fit in here? Given the choice, many men would reply, "No thank you" and stay away. I would rather place as few barriers as possible to attending worship, and to me a tie is a barrier.

At work, many of my colleagues insist on wearing a tie when they lecture, but that's becoming the rarity now. When I taught in a catholic secondary school, I was expected to wear a tie. But that was only because all the male students were also expected to wear one. Perhaps wearing a tie was intended to convey authority, and sad to say, that might actually play a role with children, but surely adults should be able to figure that out without relying on such superficial items as clothes. Still, soldiers used to wear tall hats into battle to make them look more imposing to the enemy. Is that what work is intended to be - ritualized warfare?

So I often end up wearing a lot of sweaters - great for extending the lifespan of shirts with stains and worn-out spots.  Besides - I hate shopping. Too much time spent without finding what I want for what I want to pay.

I finally got around to digging up the Bible quotes i mentioned on the retreat video site hwere we had statred talking about dress.  These are the quotes i see used most often to defend or explain the manner of dress worn by certain groups.

First regarding women's hair coverings.  1 Cor 11: 5-6  But every woamn who that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered, dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

In the matter of anachronistic dress (also things like not having electricity, telephone, etc):  2 Cor 6:14  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?

I wonder if the hair covering thing was a pre shampoo thing, greasy hair... Or it could just be that they didn't like seeing women's gorgeous locks, as it distracted them...

I don't get the second one... They saying christians shouldn't dress like atheists?

If your boss is a sloppy dresser, I think it would be best to dress at least as well as he does, or slightly better, but not so well that it makes him aware of his sloppiness. It would still impress I think, but that depends on the boss's character and the job at hand.

Hair covering is usually either an act of modesty or a symbol of a woman's submission to the 'headship' of her father or husband or both.   There is a story somewhere in the old testament about a woman who has several sons who are all priests.  When asked what she did in her life to deserve such an honor the woman repiles that 'the beams of my house never saw the hair of my head".  The interpretation of this being that she never uncovered her hair, slept with a covering, combed her hair out under a covering, and that through such an act of modesty she was deserving of having her sons honored by their becoming priests.

The second quote is generally expalined as being about being seperate from the world.  The idea is that Christians shouldn't share the ways of the unbeliever.  Hence keeping a seperate and unique from of dress, not being hooked up to the electric lines or phone lines (literal avoidance of a 'yoke').  With some groups if you are buying something from one of them they won't take the money from your hand, you put the cash on the counter or table and they pick it up.

And I like clothes and the whole variety   that is available and acceptable.

Today I wore jeans and a hip length swetaer to church. 2 weeks ago I wore a blue knit dress-slightly more formal as I was leading the service.

I have dresses, skirts and pants and will where any of the above to church depending on my mood. Dresses are mostly stretch-pull over the head type.

For work-with pre-schoolers-washable pants and a variety of tops.

For my more formal job-I dress up a little-I'm on a pnael-ofetn a jacket and skirt or jacket and pants.

Shoes-for work-mostly clogs-easy to slip off and on

For other times-low sensible heels or even some higher funkier shoes if I'm not going to be standing a whole lot.

What one wears can determine if one will get a job, or even health care. Those who dress badly, are often dismissed as unimportant, or not capable, or not deserving.

Gilda Radner once said "I base my fashion sense of what doesn't itch". I like that. She had a good head on her shoulders.

Rowan, that's interesting. Sounds very Jewish or Muslim, and of cource Mennonite and all them. I think of my head uncovered as being connected to the universe. I like that. I especially like the feel of my hair swishing around free, underwater, or blowing in the wind on horseback (though I haven't ridden in over 10 years sadly).

It's a good thing times have changed.

Tabitha, I have this cute, navy, short sleeve, knitt dress with a 1/2" belt I bought many years ago and I have only worn it once! It's too short, darn it all.

Alex, true. How you dress says a lot about you and how you see yourself.

If it feels good, wear it.

Let's see school wear is jeans (I refuse to wear skinny jeans or jeggings they are a fashion nightmare and look good on maybe 5% of the population) and a combination of t-shirts, hoodies or long sleeve shirts.

Home wear is hoodie and sweats or PJs or some combination of the above. Both my roommates and I change out of what we wore out and get into comfier pants as soon as we get home.
 

Work is good slacks (I hate skirts and dresses,  I like being able to sit however I like and not worry about showing too much, I like not worring about what's going on with the weather and wind etc) and a dress shirt (knit vest optional in the winter).

Chruch is the exact same as I wear to school and if people are offended by that (jeans and a hoodie or t-shirt) I feel that's their problem and not mine.

I do tend to try to keep up with fashion to a point. I pick the parts of current fashion I do and very much question other aspects of it. I can't say as I have ever felt oppressed by clothing chioce or that I have a lack of chioce either.

General question for all:   Do you dressed differently for special occasions or according to your mood?   Do you wear red for valentines day? green for St. Pat's? purple or mauve during lent? black for Good Friday?

Do you avoid black for a wedding and respect the tradition that only the bride wears white?

I've sometimes thought that if someone close to me died, I would want to dress in black.  I know it is mainly in the movies that we see everyone in black at the funeral, but somehow I think it might reflect my feelings - that it would be an outward sign of an inner reality - that my day had turned to night.    It might also indicate to others that something was not right in my world.   

I also try to dress appropriately and show respect.  I remember when my daughter was young.  She was helping a friend to get ready for his grandmother's funeral.  Afterwards she told me, "I wished he would have dressed up a little.  Got a hair cut.  Worn something other than his jeans and T-shirt.  Shown some respect.  But that is what he was comfortable in.  That's what he wanted to wear.  I'm just glad I was able to pursuade him to go."

I am in jeans and a sweater most days.  If I have a meeting out of the office that will invoive people that dress more formally, I will put a suit on (usually a suit with a skirt - hides more). 

For orchestral concerts, dress is heavily restricted and is written into master agreements.  Length, material, colour, accessories, makeup are all pre-determined...cms

?!

that's intense!

 I too change into comfy clothes once I get home from work.

Being TG, clothing is a way I can make the outside more match the inside. So, I only wear men's clothes. It is a purely comfort thing. It makes me feel more like the me I feel. (that sounds odd).

One might guess that I also throw a finger up to other people or rules or roles dictating what I wear, and if one did they would be right. My wife does has a great fashion sense, so she helps me choose clothes.

I tell folks who I am, so they do not expect me in a dress when I show up for worship. It would not be cool for me or them to have an audible gasp as I entered. Dress pants (with plenty of pockets, no purse, I carry a wallet) and a dress shirt or sweater, sometimes a jacket or just a vest. For very special occasions I do wear a tie, it is for me to feel completely and "appropriately"... LOL...dressed at black tie events.

Weddings, I ask those who invited me if they are indeed inviting ME. I would not ever want a bride or groom feeling I detracted from or brought something to THEIR day.

My mom recalls me yelling at three or four, "if God only likes me in a dress, I do not like God". When I started school, I also insisted I had to have boys pants because I was "husky"  LMAO

I don't tend to worry too much about fashion. At work I get to be pretty casual - jeans and sweats are just fine as long as there are no holes or signs of strain. I tend to wear lots of t-shirts and/or sweaters or cardigans (but none with corporate logos). My shoes are comfortable - usually runners or sport sandals in the summer. At home I wear similar clothing, although some of the more ratty clothing shows up if I am not going out. If I am teaching Sunday School then I will wear the same sort of clothing that I would wear to work, if not I often get more dressed up. I pretty much never wear white - so not wearing it to weddings is not a problem! I do tend to wear something black to a funeral (but not usually exclusively black). I don't worry about the colour I wear on Valentine's Day but on St. Patrick's Day I do wear green. I like to wear something bright on Easter - as a celebration. On Canada Day I wear something with a maple leaf on it.

Speaking of things one is required to wear, I have to have CSA approved, steel-toed foot wear for my new job.  Thankfully the runner type shoes are accpetable, I didn't have to go for boots.  I find that they feel very odd.

Congratulations on the new job Rowan! What kind of work is it?

Office work at a home depot.  All employees have to have the CSA footwear no matter what department.

LOL - you never know when your desk might tip over and land on your foot!

In Summer, I wear mostly t-shirts and shorts for casual wear.

Since I hit 60, the shorts have grown in length - almost to my knees. (Personally, I don't think they suit me - but "decorum" suggests that older women  have to be aware of "not frightening the horses".

If I'm (gasp) mixing with folks - unless I'm going to the beach - I tend to wear calf-length pants.

"Smart casual" is for just about everywhere - including church. Mostly tailored pants with an "interesting" top and some lipstick.

In other seasons it's mostly jeans, t-shirts and sweaters. (what Canadians refer to as "layers").

That leaves weddings , funerals, and special events.

Funerals I wear a navy pant-suit, or else a navy skirt and jacket.

Weddings and special events are the only times I wear heels and a soft fabric skirt and enjoy my femininity. It's a treat and I usually feel good about myself. (unless I happen to see my face in a mirror - and see this older lady looking at me.) 

I remember once that I was walking along and spotted my mother reflected in a shop window.  First I did a double take - she was out of the country.  Then I realised that the old lady I was seeing was myself!

Funerals-Last one I wore a nice black dress-it depends on what I think the decresed (and family) would expect-generally something low key in colour and design-funeral before that for a co-worker-black pants and my black cotton sweater with a white polar bear on it-I had come directly from work and needed an outfit that worked for both.

I work mainly with children ages 2 1/2 to 6 years and their classroom staff-so yes-green on st. pat's, red or pink on Valentine's, my princess fiona costume-with long red wig and tiara and ogre ears on halloween.

Today I'm at home in cotton knit pants, t-shirt and nice fleece top with 1/4 zip.

These days I live in jeans and some kind of long sleeved shirt. I like wearing casual hoodies but I am trying to dress more like my age (40's) and feel less frumpy.  As a result I am more likely to wear a blouse or a nicer sweater unless I am spending the day at home chained to my computer working on my research paper (and then I don't care what I wear).

I actually like wearing skirts and find them very comfortable but I hate wearing panty hose.  So, generally, I wear skirts in the summer months when I can get away with sandals and no hose. I also like skorts and own several.  I own a few pair of capris but tend not to wear them quite as often.

I shop at a wide range of stores which can range from VV to higher end stores.  I'm not picky.  If it looks nice and fits well then it works for me. 

I do have to make semi-regular appearance with  my hubby (partner in a law firm) so I do have a stash of dressier outfits and a few pairs of heels, though I only wear heels for these occasions.  I prefer flats with everyday skirts and pants. 

I dress up for special occasions. I don't colour code for the hollidays, nor do I wear black more often in the winter. I would wear black to a funeral, unless it was stated black was not expected. I didn't know about the bride only wearing white taboo, and wore white to my mom's wedding. Darn! So that's why folks gawked at me! I thought it would be a suitable outfit...

I enjoy dressing up now, as long as the waistband isn't too tight.

 Elanorgold, I think we need to get DNA tests done to see if we're not related. 

 I like the hippie/earthy look, feminine, bohemian, that kind of thing.  I also like jeans, yoga pants, whatever feels right for the time.  I could be a total shoe freak if I had the money.  But then I am a stay at home mom so what will i do with ruby red shoes a la Sarah Palin?  I see some gorgous gowns and love them then think  "WHERE and WHEN would I wear that?"  The invitation to dinner at Buckingham Palace is yet to arrive in the mail.

Having said that, my body is older than my mind.  After five babies and being in my early 40's my figure is starting to become 'matronly'.   So I have to keep a mind to my figure and age and social standing and dress appropriately to that but still keep some of my  'funk'.  Empire waist lines are very forgiving and fortunately still in style.  

Ever see these ladies out and about, in their 50's with long or big bleach blonde hair, dark fake n' bake tan, skin tight jeans, high heels and mucho make up?. It's so sad.  They are in total denial. I will keep coloring my hair until my facial lines don't fool anyone. When it patently obvious, then I will grow gray gracefully.  

Yeah, I see those women. Not good. Interesting though, from a socio-psychological perspective. Keeping some funk is important here too. I like shoes too, walking in them is a different question though! I have this beautiful pair of heels, I posted a pic before, lacey vamps and skinny ankle straps. Love 'em... only worn 'em once. And I'm growing out of my funky shoes from my teens! Drat!! Well, I'll keep them as museum pieces.

My grey upset me at first. I didn't think I was old enough. But now, I'm keen to see it spreading from my cowlick in a nice streak, giving me, I like to think, an air of distinction... as they say. It's still quite small. I'm planning to wear more dresses and red lipstick this summer! It's a balance though between looking my age and nice, and not looking too fetching! After all I'm not seeking a new mate!

 Hmm...

Well I wear my Kilt and Lederhosen every chance I get, randomly dress up on days with real signifigance, and general don't give a flying f**k about what people think soo....

Society's dress code has no effect on me.

(I am also famous for wearing my Buddhist robes around the house in the summer).

As-salaamu alaikum

-Omni

 I just realized I got side tracked reading other posts and missed the original question.

I wear what I wear because I am motivated by whim.  I find that whim is the only factor that can truely cause you to be independent of others and not fall into some kind of classifiable clothing catagory.

That being said, if an occasion requires formal clothing, I will obviously dress formally.

As-salaamu alaikum

-Omni

Good for you Omni! A true individualist. Things may be different if you become a father one day though... I had no idea how much judgement would be heaped on me.

I think of your bow tie every time I see one : ) As the Doctor sais, "Bow ties are cool."

"Those who shun the whimsy of things will experience rigor mortis before death."
— Tom Robbins

 Elanor, I am liking the notion of the 'Utilikilt".  But then, ya knew I would....

 Bow ties ARE cool.  And actually on that point, I finally am the proud owner of two tie-able bow ties!  And I am slowly getting better at tying the damn things...lol

As-salaamu alaikum

-Omni

I used to wear a kilt and leaderhosen too, only I looked more like a girl wearing odd clothes. I had a lot of costumes as such.   In reality, I was just a typically confused arts student with a loveon for poetry but eventually dykes and musicians began to look like me and Ihad to get rid of that wardrobe.  It saddened me, there were a lot of antique pieces that I wasn't ready to part with but I was tired of being the ugly model for some pathetics who couldn't think for themselves and would just copy what I was wearing and look better because they were thinner.

When I moved on to  basic VV I got the freedom from onlookers that I wanted.  That was helpful.  Still, I am finding that I have to stick to basic jeans and really bore people or they get too excited or pissed off with me wearing anything that attracts interest and of course, they have to copy it.  What is that in people anyway.  don't get it.

Jeans are just as good plainclothes and uniform now as they were in teh 60s and 70s.  Good stuff and avoid a class struggle that I don't need.

Eventually, I will have to dress for an office but I will do that only for the interviews and the actual employment.

My grandkid spotted the title of this thread and said

I wear these clothes because mom won't buy me any new ones"

kay - that's cute.

Is anyone on this thread influenced by their religion in their choice of clothing, or do you know anyone who is?  

My new young doctor is Canadian born, with parents from Iran.  Their religion is Islam.   According to people who knew the family, at one time they all wore western clothes.  But about ten years ago, when in their late teens or early twenties, the two girls came home from university with head coverings.  Their mother soon followed them.  Not vails or face coverings - not the entire body - but a kerchief like covering around the head. 

I haven't talked to her about it.  Actually I think it looks quite attractive and practical - she doesn't have to worry about a bad hair day, or to fuss about it.  And it keeps her hair out of the way and looks quite neat while working with patients. 

I do not know why a young Muslim girl would choose to wear this.  (Her husband is Canadian and converted to Islam in order to marry her - I doubt if it is his idea.)

So, do you know anybody who's religion dictates, or suggests, proper attire for men or women?  How do they feel about it?

I know some women who wear the approved clothing of their denomination.  For some it is stuff like the Baptist women on the other thread.  More extreme is the Mennonites and Hutterites - but you can recognise the menfolk too.

The other recognizable group is the Chritian minister types - male clergy in collars and 'dresses' is the most obvious.

For Omni:

I used to be influenced by my religion in my clothing, when I wore my leather halter top I made, and my handsewn, plant dyed, tie dye hemmed skirt. The top was very bronze age pagan ; ) The tie dye in the skirt represented the sun. ANd I had these very distinctive jeans covered in green patches, with strips of trim up the sides. People recognized me from miles off. It was a travel thing. I collected patches on my jeans like some would collect badges for their backpack. Green for nature, patches for "make it myself", and "wear my personality".  I'm still a bit like that to a lesser extent. I wear a lot of green, brown and blue.

I once knew a woman who was raised Menonite, and she loathed the silly frocks and modest cap she had to wear, white for maiden, black for married. SHe left the religion, married outside of it, got a job and wore nothing but pants and cut her hair short. She keeps the cap in her trunk for a momento though.

I also knew a muslim girl in school, who swore she would stop wearing the head scarf as soon as she was old enough to be allowed to choose. But she didn't stop wearing it, and she had an arranged marriage just after high school. SHe also allways wore baggy unattractive clothes.