Gone, too, is the incessant indoor cigarette smoking that prevailed in the mad-men era.
I think I’d rather have the obesity. Other people’s obesity doesn’t bother me unless I’m sitting next to them on a plane. Secondhand smoke used to bother me all the time.
OMG!!! Are we now judging this teen’s body?! The vast majority of college age girls who I see in Tempo shorts for general purpose wear are cute as a button and have the legs to pull off the look. Heck . . . If I had legs like that I might go around in short shorts more often!
“My only point has always been that people should be free not to take any interest in this stuff, without being called boorish or any other things that inevitably come up.”
No one has said or suggested that this young lady needed to take an interest in FASHION. What was said is that she might have better thought through clothing choices and brought along a pair of jeans instead of just having gym shorts on hand. No different from if she had shown up wearing just pajama pants and thus would be hampered in attending any event other than super-casual. Again,acollegestudent, you are mistaking “dressing appropriately” for “needing to be a fashionista.”
If the OP had said instead - the girl showed up in jeans, a t shirt and sneakers, we would all said - so what’s the problem? That’s absolutely fine for most casual restaurants these days. The reaction is because these were gym shorts. It’s about appropriateness. Not fashion.
We are a pretty casual family but my rule is “no slicky shorts” when we go to dinner. (we have 3 boys) I have a relative I took to see colleges that wore a tight shirt that showed her stomach and jeans so tight that I thought it would cut off circulation. 
Casual can be OK but when you are meeting professors or visiting a school or going to dinner…always throw in khaki shorts or something a little more “Gap-ish” Guess I am an old geezer too. I do not usually notice other kids…just mine.
Some angry folks here.
Lots of justification here for what my mother called, “sinking to the lowest common denominator.” I really don’t care how impervious some claim to be, to how a friend dresses. Or justifies their own choices with some new twist on idealism. It should be easy to agree there are times when one shouldn’t assume that it’s all about ME. Or project that someone who doesn’t care is somehow smart, cultured, savvy.
Fashion de rigeur is NOT gym clothes. I think you mean some non-fashionable default.
We can be flexible, sure. We can hold our judgment. Life’s tough. It’s someone else’s kid. But anyone who insists there aren’t times when you’re supposed to think and make some moderate choice, etc, seems pretty sheltered.
Actually, the gym shorts, big T-shirt look is de rigueur for college women at some campuses. The first time I observed this was when visiting UTexas at the start of the school year when it was still really hot. There were literally thousands of women all dressed in that outfit.
My point about obesity and current fashion is that the clothing industry is in it for the money. For most of them. whatever sells to the broadest audience of consumer is going to bring in the most $$. People who are overweight generally prefer loose clothing and elastic waistbands. I don’t know why this should be a mystery or offensive to anyone. And of course even that clothing style is going to look cute on women who have cute figures. They look good in just about everything.
^^^Yes. Honestly, my HS sophomore S knows to pack a pair of regular cotton pants or shorts, along with a decent shirt “just in case” when he goes on a trip. This is just common sense, not a value judgement.
With obesity becoming “normal”, dress shirts and the like are now cut to accommodate obesity. That means that the non-obese have a harder time finding off-the-rack clothes that fit or are within reasonable alteration range.
Suppose instead we were talking about a young woman taking a trip to Europe. And she packed only tank tops and gym shorts. And she got over there – and now had to miss out on walking into churches like that. Wouldn’t your reaction be - her parents should have taught her better and clued her in - that it’s possible both to be casual and comfortable AND also know how to ensure that you’re prepared for a reasonable occurrence?
My D went to Europe for spring break to visit friends studying abroad. Of course they were casual the whole time. But I also didn’t have to worry that she’d be kicked out of churches for wearing tank tops and shorts for touring, because she knew enough to know that nice tees and longer pants were equally as comfortable but more appropriate for visiting churches and the like.
This is common sense. Well, maybe not for some.
Last night (due to this thread), I observed people around in public. Seemed like lots of men were wearing what most would see as “gym shorts”, though not women (unless they were running), although some women were wearing “yoga pants/tights”. However, the men’s shorts were generally close to knee length, not the super-short 2"-3" inseam shorts that seem to be popular among women. There were some women wearing skirts not much longer than the super-short shorts.
I don’t think this young gal was obese. And the topic was an extra something for dinner.
“That means that the non-obese have a harder time finding off-the-rack clothes that fit or are within reasonable alteration range.”
ucb- nuts. You a gal? Most of us will now have to protest our slim daughters have no problem finding attractive clothes.
And we aren’t talking about around town. I sometimes sneak off to the market looking crappy. Wth? But this is about a trip.
PG, I guess some might say, the heck with those old churches and their fuddy duddy expectations. Or we’d get into a side track about religion. Or how some have no interest in Europe when they can go to some park in the US. Crazy thread.
Seventeen pages of what to wear to the Thai place around the corner. I check Google, Trip Advisor, or Yelp before heading to a new restaurant. Then I have an idea of what I find appropriate for the venue. Jeans or skirt?
Obviously some on this thread will wear shorts and trainers regardless if the restaurant is more formal.
No, I am a guy.
But she WASN’T going to flippin’ Europe she was going to a 2 day college orientation designed to do things like hear about meal plans, get used to her dorm, bond with “friends” and whatnot. I’m sure that she was blending just fine with the natives for that purpose. As her parents asked about dress code and noted her limitations, I would imagine that they have her all “trained up” to know and follow acceptable protocol in most situations.
To qualify here I am a “be prepared person”. I am the mother of a son who flew across the country for a 2+ day orientation. He wore his Volcom shorts and a V-neck white tee on the plane but also took (without input from me) khaki shorts, basketball shorts, jeans and khaki pants along with an assortment of nicer plain color tees and three in a light sweater and pullover at the last minute just in case accuweather was wrong about the 92 degree forecast. He also took an electric razor and beard trimmer plus jammies and personals. The only thing he was missing was a linen sport coat and dress shoes. He had both nicer flip-flops and his “dressier” sneakers.
The natives on campus.
I wouldn’t imagine anything about the parents having her trained yet. They may be tired of arguing with her. In fact, I’ve been surprised no one mentioned that, since it usually comes up.
I will say, I’m very curious what city this is.
I think what you’re describing is exactly right, saint fan. Something extra just in case. Or what we call “go to” clothing that works up and down the scale.
You can dress casually at most restaurants in NYC and feel appropriately dressed. But there is a difference between work out clothing and casual dress. I’d consider almost everything in Urban Outfitters to be casual clothing and almost all of it would be appropriate to most restaurants/ theatre/occasions for young adults. I’d rule out things that are ridiculously short or see-through, but otherwise most of this kind of clothing would work because it shows some style. To me that’s what separates outfits. Does it look like you just picked out an outfit to sweat at the gym? Or does it show some consideration for how you look to the world? For the college age girl at Orientation, the gym shorts may have been perfectly appropriate, but not so much for outings off campus.
As a 50+ year old I still dress casually most of the time–for work as a teacher and for going out on Long Island and NYC. But I do tend to keep an eye on trends/ style and wear things that work appropriately.
You do not have to invest a lot of $ to dress like this. This week I got a bunch of new tops, skirts and dresses to freshen up my own wardrobe. Prices ranged from $4 to maybe $25 at the Gap, Urban Outfitters, Anthropology and J. Crew. Many things were probably 75% off.
Some deals: navy blue boxy blazer for $22. Long black or striped narrow skirts with slit for $16. Linen cropped T-shirt in pale pink for $5. All at the gap.
At Urban, picked up a flowing paisley-like blouse for $19. Can be paired with yoga pants and still look stylish and appropriate with “cute” shoes or sandals.
At J Crew, got longish, loose fitting sleeveless/ short sleeve shirts with beading or macrame insets for under $20.
All the above stores had 50% off on their reduced racks J crew and Banana Republic offer teacher discounts on top of that.
There are some hot and bothered people here. All because of a girl who only packed two shorts and three t-shirts? So, she made a mistake in underpacking and didn’t account for all possible situations. Of all the things my child can err on - I would be happy if this is the worst mistake she makes on a college orientation visit.
It’s not that I, the parent, didn’t train my child. It’s more that I believe in natural consequences. If my child packs only two pairs of shorts and three t-shirts, which she thinks is fine for campus activities, and finds herself limited in her dining options, then she’ll learn from that experience. It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s okay to just let things happen.
^^^yes!
And from @Saintfan “But she WASN’T going to flippin’ Europe she was going to a 2 day college orientation designed to do things like hear about meal plans, get used to her dorm, bond with “friends” and whatnot. I’m sure that she was blending just fine with the natives for that purpose.”
Exactly!