The text provides advice on how to dress for a wedding, emphasizing the importance of comfort and style. It suggests that casual attire should be avoided, such as a floaty cocktail dress or simple sheath. For black-tie weddings, a long formal dress is always appropriate, but short dresses should be knee-length. If the invitation states “black-tie optional,” it is not recommended.
It is also suggested to wear a pantsuit or jumpsuit to a cocktail attire wedding. Lulus offers an extensive collection of seasonal dresses, with free shipping over $50 and free returns. A cropped jacket or blazer can be the most flattering over a maxi dress, and belts can be added for added waist definition.
For summer weddings in 2024, it is essential to wear a nice dress or classic suit and tie. For colorful cocktail attire, plan to sport an eye-catching ensemble for the evening, especially if the event will be taking place at a more relaxed location. Sleeves are optional, but if desired, there are plenty of options.
Overdressing is generally better than underdressing, but it is better to be safe than sorry. It is also important to avoid matching the bridal party and avoid being too casual. A casual wedding dress code doesn’t need to be dark, and going too dark and sleek may look overdressed.
📹 Colors to Avoid Wearing as a Wedding Guest
It’s good to be mindful about what colors to wear to a wedding? In this video, Heidi reminds us of traditional guest colors, some …
What is too much to wear to a wedding?
Too revealing attire. It’s one thing to feel confident and sexy in an outfit, but another to show up to a wedding in a way that could offend others. Consider the wedding dress code to decide how formal or casual your selection should be. “Choose something that makes you look and feel your best,” says BHLDN stylist Lindsey Love. Keep your selections modest with hints of playful sexiness through slits, mesh, and open-back dresses.
Nothing too casual. No one wants to wear yoga pants, slippers, and jeans to a wedding. Even if it’s casual, guests should still dress formally. No flip-flops, shorts, or jeans.
Is it okay to wear a sparkly dress to a wedding?
Glitter. Avoid wearing anything too shimmery or distracting. Save the sparkles for the bachelorette party or another Saturday night. Sequins are okay, but don’t wear too many. Stick with simple fabrics and colors. There are so many dresses that don’t draw attention away from the bride.
Denim. Even if the wedding dress code is casual, don’t wear jeans or a Canadian tuxedo. If you wear a denim jacket, try to wear a leather jacket or shawl instead. However, it’s never appropriate to wear denim for a wedding, unless the couple says it’s okay.
Are there Colours you shouldn’t wear to a wedding?
Gold and champagne. Gold and champagne tones are bad choices for guests because they’re also worn by brides. Brides are wearing more colors besides white. Gold and champagne are becoming popular. These colors can look like white in photos, so they’re a bad choice for the wedding. Bridesmaid Dress Color The bride usually chooses a color for her bridesmaids, so it’s best to avoid that color to avoid any confusion on the day.
It’s hard to tell from the invitation if the color theme is the same as the bridesmaids’ dresses. It’s a good idea to avoid colors that could be worn by the bridesmaids. These colors are usually neutral or soft pastels, so we advise avoiding them.
Is it possible to overdress at a wedding?
Ladies don’t want to steal the bride’s spotlight, and men don’t want to steal the groom’s. Instead of a black tuxedo, men should wear a suit or blazer. It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed, but don’t look like the groom. As a guest, don’t blend in with the wedding party. Ask the bridal party and groomsmen what colors they’ll be wearing. Then, choose an outfit that matches the colors or something different but not too bright.
Also, check the invitation because it tells you what colors to wear to a wedding. The invitation will tell you what colors to wear. These are the colors used in the wedding decorations and bridal party. If you see a lot of royal blue or fern green, it’s probably what the wedding party will wear. A black dress is a safe and acceptable choice. It’s important to feel confident, empowered, and sexy in your outfit. But if you wear something too revealing, it might offend other guests and children at the wedding. Keep your selections modest with hints of sexiness through slits, mesh, and open-back dresses. A wedding is not the time to show off your body. A wedding is a sacred ceremony, so choose your outfit accordingly.
Do brides regret their dress?
Your wedding dress is probably the most memorable piece of clothing you’ll ever wear. It’s a big day, and it’s a big investment. You want to get it right. Many brides wish they could redo their wedding dress. We asked 15 former brides what they would have done differently when selecting their gowns. Read on for more. I would take more time choosing a second dress. I loved my ceremony dress. It was perfect. This story is about my second dress. I would change two things. I would wear my first dress longer. It was beautiful, but I regret not getting more casual photos in it. Two, I would take more time choosing a second dress that made me happy. I bought it quickly and didn’t think it was right for me. Looking back, I wish I’d chosen something that made me feel as beautiful as I did on my wedding day. – Jennifer G., Washington, D.C. I would get my wedding dress cleaned right after the wedding. I would have my wedding dress cleaned right after the wedding. Once the party was over, I put it in the bag and put it in my closet. The lace on my train will cost more to clean. – Carissa R., Boston, MA.
Is there anything you shouldn’t wear to a wedding?
Your everyday clothes. Even if the dress code allows casual attire, jeans, T-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, and sneakers are never appropriate for a wedding guest. Show respect for the bride and groom by dressing up. Sabatino says men should wear a jacket and tie even if the invitation says casual. “That’s honoring the occasion,” she says. At Avrumson’s wedding, a man wore a T-shirt under his suit in 90-degree heat. I wasn’t upset because of the weather. It’s more important that everyone has a good time. However, she doesn’t like too-casual bags. A big mistake: If you’re wearing a beautiful dress, don’t bring the same bag you go shopping with.
Show-off outfits. Don’t wear revealing clothes, says Sabatino. Crop tops, dresses with mesh, short skirts, plunging necklines, and form-fitting gowns are more appropriate for a night out than a wedding. A skimpy outfit will attract negative attention and take attention away from the bride.
Can I have bare legs at a wedding?
I’ve said that bare legs are fine at formal events, but hosiery is also acceptable if it’s the right color and sheer. I just got back from a wedding where I wore my new $10.
This question came in just as I was about to talk about this…Dear Answer Angel Ellen: My son is getting married in November. I’m wearing a black sequined sheath. I have black sequined pumps that will look great with the dress. I’d rather wear tights because it’s November and the shoes are tight. Should I wear bare legs or hosiery? What color should I wear? Dear Sharri, I’ve just refined my advice on this question, thanks to some trial and error. People often ask The Angel about what to wear to weddings. Should you wear bare legs or hosiery to a wedding?
Is it OK to wear a gown to a wedding?
Wedding guests should wear a long dress. Wear high heels. Accessorize with jewelry and white silk gloves.
Is it bad luck to show your wedding dress before the wedding?
Nothing technically. Some people believe that seeing your partner before marriage will bring bad luck. We don’t believe that. It will ruin the surprise at the altar. It depends. Some couples sleep apart the night before their wedding to make their first night as a married couple special. Others have breakfast together and then go their separate ways.
Why can’t you wear red to a wedding?
Some people think that wearing red to a wedding means you’ve slept with the groom.
But both wedding planners agreed on a more modern reason for not wearing red: It could be seen as a way to steal the bride’s attention. “Red can seem sexy,” Smith said. “Naughty.” Mitchell said the color could be attention-grabbing, but it might not be the best choice for a wedding guest, depending on the dress.
What color is inappropriate to wear to a wedding?
Don’t wear white to weddings, but a printed dress with a hint of white or ivory is fine. A black-and-white dress is classic, as long as the pattern isn’t too distracting.
📹 Jordan Peterson Explains Why Men Should Always Dress Up
Patrick Bet-David Podcast Episode 123. In this short clip, Dr. Jordan Peterson and Adam Sosnick discuss why people like to dress …
My first job in IT only required a company branded polo or button down. I took it a step further, wearing the button down exclusively and also always wearing a tie with it (I was the only one who chose to wear a tie). For the 3 years I worked at that company, I was the fastest rising employee on the help desk, receiving a promotion and several large raises. Many people who only wore the bare minimum attire also presented a bare minimum attitude and therefore received bare minimum compensation.
I used to hate dressing up but nowadays always feel good and more confident when I put on a shirt and tie. It’s as much about self respect as it is about respect for others. This matters at any age, even for 65 year old like myself. When I see so many people dressed up like chavs, I despair, but I think there is now a movement towards more classical dressing, which is to be welcomed.
My dad always dressed nice, even to go grocery shopping. One day he’s shopping in Walmart North Idaho, wearing his usual dress shirt, sweater best, wool jacket and slacks. They clerk recognizes him and asks what kind of work he does. He said he’s in real estate, she answers “you look like a professor”. 90% of customers were wearing sweats, puffy vests, athletic shoes, messy hair, no make-up etc. My dad was 80, still working managing his office building but shopped at Walmart to save money. Everything in his closet he bought on sale at Macy’s. Always fit, 32″ waist and well dressed. Makes a huge difference
I think Jordan hit the nail on the head with the story about his father. People dress up to see Jordan speak as a sign of respect and to mark the occasion as an important event in their lives. The choice to formalise the evening has an intention about it, that you’re there to take the information and the man seriously.
This presentation made me think. To your point, you’re absolutely right. Why do us as men dress like we’re still in high school? Jeans, sneakers, and hoodies. Instead of dress shoes, slacks, and sports coats. In the military I felt a sense of honor when I wore dress blues. I think as men we need to reboot our wardrobes and update our definition of fashion. Dressing for success speaks volumes.
I am 17 now and still wear suits casually like mostly the 3 piece suits (Thanks to peaky blinders) I felt really good and new about myself, I love to see this fashion come back like the 1930s – 1960s and seeing 18 – 25 year olds wear suits as a casual thing makes me know that im not alone in this fashion and I hate it when everyone says “It feels uncomfortable) it all depends on the material you use for each weather and I use wool for winter and Cotton for hot weathers and I also dress up more in old money style too but I think this fashion should return.
You ever watch those vintage articles of daily life in the 40s-60s or whenever. I always notice the comments stating that people back then dressed better and acted more courteous. I wonder though, how many of those same people dress and present themselves the very same way they dislike. It’s like disliking when people wear pajamas to the grocery store but what do they themselves do? Wear pajamas to the grocery store. Be the change you wish to see. Dress up when you go out if that’s what you’d like to see. It could encourage others to do the same.
it’s so funny he says this, I actually started having a lot of thoughts about my clothes and image as I got closer to 30 and it really confused me because I wasn’t sure how to present myself, I still looked like a kid, dressed like the kids, which got me treated like a kid. As soon as I began dressing nice for the occasions and putting effort into presenting myself as a collected adult, not only did I get treated like an ADULT but others looked too me as an example.
Usually when you dress up, you’re showing the world you are higher than average status. This translates to our brain giving us extra serotonin as we’re tricking our brain into feeling like we’re higher on the dominance hierarchy than we typically feel, thus the heightened enjoyment from it (better mood regulation, etc). It also comes with higher costs (less comfortable, longer prep time, more costly) which is why many choose not to do it.
“Everyone dresses down so they look like overgrown 10 year olds” I feel some relief hearing him say this because sometimes I look at people that get so much hype for their “clout” or their “drip” and I feel like I’d look and feel like a clown if I wore the same thing. I always feel like maybe I just don’t care enough to keep up with the fashion trends but maybe I just genuinely dislike most of the trends going on today.
Don’t have to wear suits but always dress thoughtfully/nicely/cleanly/appropriately. Dress how seriously you take the occasion and set a frame/standard of excellence for your team. If you don’t take your appearance seriously, others will not (and should not be expected to) take you seriously. In the same way that you set the tone with how you speak and carry yourself, your appearance is you teaching others how to perceive you and how to take you. You get exactly what you put in, it’s in your control, therefore, it is your responsibility.
I used to be a bouncer, at nicer night clubs. On a vacation in Thailand I bought 5 tailor made suits + xx shirts, ties and so on and started wearing at work. We usually had black windbreakers with “Security” the night club gave us, and the first night someone said “you cant work like that?” Sure I can, I have my badge visible, complying with the law, nobody is going to mistake me for a customer… Within weeks I was promoted and had a pretty nice “career” working high end nightclubs for a few years. And my employer told me straight: Its because of the suit, its looks GREAT, and you wear it good. People love it.
5:00. 1000% it’s a respect thing. No longer teach medical students/residents, but I noticed this even creep into medicine. I’d see an intern (an MD mind you) come into my office with a backpack, white coat and blue jeans on. When they started asking me a question, I’d just say come back when you look like a doctor. The fact that they didn’t see that looking like that when you’re dealing with sick, vulnerable people blew my mind.
It’s a psychological thing in a way. If you are dressed nicely, clean etc It makes you feel better about your looks, this builds confidence and confidence is immensely helpful to you. It’s like going to two friends’ houses, one is clean, organized, and well kept. The other is messy, clutered with trash, has some peeling paint, maybe plastic on a window etc. You will subconsciously be more respectful, removing your shoes before leaving the entryway, making sure you leave nothing behind. The other, you may even be hesitant to take your shoes off..
You don’t have to dress formally, but you either put in an effort or you don’t. In my opinion, these things are momentum based, so when you start putting effort into stuff like this, it tends to be easier to apply that effort to other parts of your life. It’s a behaviour pattern of doing more than the bare minimum.
This is very sound advice. I started dressing nicer when I was about 18 years old and in my second year of university. I wear a suit or a sport coat almost every day except when it’s too hot (even then I wear a short sleeved collared shirt or polo), and own formal attire so I can be properly dressed for special events. It should be pointed out that you don’t necessarily need a suit to dress nicely. V-neck sweaters and cardigans paired with shirts and ties work nicely in the cool weather. Even dress pants, a properly fitted open-necked shirt and slip-ons is a vast improvement over what most people wear these days.
I live in the woods of Western Washington. I wear a tweed jacket, waistcoat, button down shirt and slacks with field boots, daily. My manners are polite and polished, but not snobbish at all. My wife appreciates this. Its how i show how much i respect her and cherish her. The ravens, elk and otters recognize me in the woods and dont panic or run away. Its rather a nice feeling. I go to town 2 or 3 times a month, about 50 miles away, the shop keepers and clerks remember me and are polite and friendly. Some have remarked that i look as if i have stepped out of an earlier time.
Saying that you should dress to look your best to a group of people who even before all the lockdowns were dressing in the laziest most unkempt manner is kryptonite to them. It holds them accountable for their behavior which is also kryptonite, there is a correlation between how you dress and how you behave. Just look at our grandparents and great grand parents they didn’t leave the house without looking “presentable” even if you were poor and only had one or two sets of clothes you made sure they were clean and neat.which is one of the many reasons why they were considered the “greatest generation “. Dressing well is a form of good manners”. – Tom Ford
I have to ‘dress up’ in business clothing before I go to school for the morning, then I head to the office. I always feel awkward and out of place amongst my classmates as they all wear sweat shirts and pants, baggy ripped jeans and such. I don’t intend to sound judgemental, but the majority look like they’ve just rolled out of bed. Listening to this made me feel much better, thank you gents!
I can fully agree with what is said here. I’m a technician but self educated, I get dirty so the engineers dont have to. I have young children as well so I have never felt the need to dress any more professional than just a simple solid colored t-shirt and jeans. I have noticed that I get treated inferior to others when I dress casually on a regular basis. But when I clean up, wash my face and trim my beard and remove the oils from my nails, put on a nice suit and get the expensive watch out and then drive my wife’s nice car ( I ride a motorcycle), people treat me better and talk to me with respect. They let me have their seat and even sometimes even open doors for me. Its weird how materialistic objects or fabrics can dictate how others perceive you. Then the next day im back in my dirty clothes covered in oil and im back to being a nobody. The funny thing is that I probably make more money than alot of them realize.
Ever since WFH started due to Corona, I wear my full office attire including shoes while working at home. I am not a suit person although if and when occasion demands, I will go full 3 piece. But, being properly dressed, clean, shaved, healthy, smelling ok and talking sense is the mark of a decent man.
I partially agree with him; I was brought up in boarding schools since a very very young age. I wore a uniform since first grade. Grey slacks, white shirts, tie, jacket and loafers. From first to 12 grade. I was in the military after that and uniforms is the norm. Then I went to work in three piece suits in all shades of grey for a very long time…now I refuse to wear anything that resembles a formal attire. I feel at ease even if dramatically underdresses compared to the rest of the crowd. But If at any point I were to feel the need to dress up to par, I would.
Dressing up doesn’t have to mean dressing complicated, For men you can use neutral suits and shirts that can be interchanged, and have a selection of ties that can throw a bit of colour in depending on circumstance. Develop your own personal uniform is the kind of idea. You don’t have to be a model, just make an effort, it doesn’t matter if you can’t buy certain things just make sure it’s clean and pressed make sure you have a shave and cut your finger nails, it’s quite basic really. This reminds me of a conversation a had with my Dad, talking about the 1960s he told me “You wouldn’t be seen dead without a shirt & tie on” even just going out socially. It didn’t occur to me until after we cremated my Dad RIP we didn’t put a tie on him at the end, I regret that now. Sorry Dad
I’m not sure why but I have never felt confident around people wearing suits. Nevertheless, this has never stopped me from dressing down for some reason.. I always picked comfort over appearance, possibly because the former is for a specific purpose and the latter is superficial. There is more to people than what they are wearing but please don’t go around with no clothes on 😂👍🏽 be yourself and always bring kindness with you.
I’ve always “dressed down” I think in part because of working as a mechanic, and always being ready to fix something, “out of time”. perusal this, I realized part has always been “confronting the formal I didn’t like”, our father was professional and always wore a suit, and I had many years of trying not to be like him, in large because I’ve always been so much like. Rebellion is a powerful factor, I spent two decades a marine, and the feeling of my “greens or particularly my blues” was always something that makes on stand up straighter, look around and fit the occasion, and I do feel the need to get a new suit because I’ve not done so in a decade. Very interesting talk.
I agree 200% Even if I’m just going grocery shopping, I get dressed in a nice casual to moderate outfit. Way yo many people walking around in pajamas, legging/workout clothes (and we know they aren’t working out all day) Or trying to wear clothes they wore 30 yrs ago. I’m 52 in good shape and I love dressing classy age appropriate. Kind of sad to see a woman of age trying to dress like she was 18 . And you don’t have to have a lot of money to dress well either . It is a respect thing and it makes me feel better about myself and people react to you differently .
I’m early 30s but have always enjoyed dressing smart, even when I get funny looks around the place I live because very few people dress like that here, even when going out for a nice meal etc. Office dress codes have gotten more casual in the decade since I started my career and the pandemic and working from home has turbo charged that. But I love pulling on a suit, tie and pocket square, I don’t care if it’s seen as old fashioned or stuck up or whatever these days, like the guy on the left here says, I too feel more confident and happier when I’m dressed smart and showing my best out to the world. I also feel like when I’m working I’m an ambassador for myself, the office and organisation I represent, so I want to look the part. When I’m on my grind I mean serous business and my outfit reflects that. I know that’s not how everyone thinks, and each to their own, but I’ll keep doing me. To any fellow young men keeping classic fashion alive – I salute you!
Dressing up was a concept that I really hated compared to other Jordan Peterson topics that I am pretty receptive too. Perhaps I feel as if I hadn’t had anyone teach me how to dress well in the past. I finally came to the realization that my social image would benefit by spending some time researching better T-Shirt designs and spend some money to revamp my wardrobe. I didn’t want to dress like a kid anymore as Dr. Peterson explains. My shirts just came in and I’m excited to try them out.
This is pretty good advice. Im 18, but I usually wear a nice zip up jacket, sunglasses, a clean t shirt and tailored jeans with clean sneakers. Sometimes I’ll wear a button up shirt with jeans or khaki pants with casual sneakers. I have to wear a hat with most of my casual outfits since I live in Florida and almost everyone around me dresses like they just got up out of bed. Idk how people here in Florida are able to wear a sweatshirt and sweatpants in 90 degree weather, its not a smart choice at all. While I agree with JBP here, you have to leanr how to dress up or wear something casual depending on your environment. If you wear a tuxedo to high school or college, you’re gonna look out of place no matter how nice you look in that outfit. The MSM media highkey influenced a lot of people and everyone I see around me isnt wearing polo shirts or t shirts with zip up jackets or nice jeans, most people around me wear baggy hoodies that dont fit them or look like they got out of bed.
Very good article. I’m doing the female version of that. I recently switched to wearing dresses and skirts 100% of the time now and I love it. 😀 What most people don’t realize is that all over the world before the 1960s, women wore dresses exclusively and men word suits exclusively, even when just going to the grocery store or barber shop. This dressing down culture started with the rebellion of the 1960s and spread all over the world through American TV. Then jeans and t shirts became the thing, then sagging pants and ripped pants etc. We all need to go back to dressing up to have more self respect. 😊
When my family and I moved from Texas to Sacramento California. One of the first things that shocked us was how so many of the men dressed and acted like children. We call California never never land. Having grown up in Texas I used to think the cowboy types were a little bit much. With their big trucks and belts and all. But At least they work hard, can shoot a gun, and respect their mamas. Now I think hands-down you’re better off with a cowboy type than an oversized baby.
I have always thought the same. Wearing a suit at work (as an Engineer) is a way to show respect for others I work with and that I take my task at hand serious. However, when others give me comments that I am overdressed (which they do). I can no longer motivate these reasons, so I go back to the casual look (sad truth …).
I sincerely appreciate all your references to Army life. I believe we served during the same time. I was active duty from 1982 to 91. E1-E6, 55B ammunition storage specialist and 55G nuclear weapon specialist. Served at Fort Leonard wood, Redstone Arsenal, Hunter Army airfield, Germany, Fort Hood, Germany again, and finally Fort Lewis Washington. After 10 years, earned a ROTC scholarship. I enjoy your references to BTU and Class A uniforms. Why is it that we only remember the good times. 🙂
When we dress well, it’s one of the best forms of manners, and ways of showing respect to those that we encounter. When someone is happy to declare that they “can care less what anyone thinks”, or…”i’m not dressing up to go anywhere”… they’re actually stating that they choose self over others. They’d rather be lazy AND disrespectful to others as long as they stay in their comfort zone. I feel bad for them in a way, ’cause they’ll never know how much they’re actually missing out on. It gains respect. It opens doors. It attracts people through positive energy. It hurts no one, and makes others even feel better. Boosts their mood. I’ve had many job offers. I’ve had people wanting me to meet their daughter, mother, best friend, etc. I don’t expect anything, but i’ve had people comp me perks, discounts, special treatment just ’cause they want me to be a regular. Trust me guys, it’s not that hard. Sure there may be a little homework involved, but it’s not much. And there’s tons of tips and guidance for beginners right here online that’s free to access 🙂
I agree dressing well is extremely important to signal your worth to others but most importantly to yourself. I will however say you should be very careful “dressing up” just for the sake of dressing up. If you’re the only guy in the room dressed up in a suit to school you’re gonna look ridiculous regardless of how nice the suit may be. If you’re on the other hand the only guy in the room not dressed up in a suit you’re probably also gonna look out of place as well. So dress for your environment – dress somewhat like the people you surround yourself with and learn to do it way better.
I feel the exact opposite of this. We are in a society that values lip service and appearance over substance. If you have ever dealt with real estate agents, a lot of them are less than competent, but always dress well – it doesn’t help anyone. I would much prefer someone wearing normal clothes who could do the job. Also, I grew up poor, and rich kids would mock the poor kids for not being able to dress up – it just adds another burden to the poor. My take – concentrate on the inside, and the outside will be fine.
The more important lesson here is that you should take pride in your appearance and be proud of the clothes you wear. Fast fashion has screwed us in that way. I’m a carpenter, so obviously I won’t be wearing a suit and tie to work, or when I get home in the evening. Investing in 1 nice, high quality, excellent fitting sweater that you are proud to wear is much better than buying 10 crappy, ill-fitting sweaters from walmart.
In my opinion, the concept of “excessive casual” clothing is an american value that has taken over the world slowly. Back in the day, at least in Latin America, there where jokes made about how american tourists weren’t allowed in restaurants or casinos because they were wearing shorts and flip flops and got mad about it. “Kings of informality” is how they were depicted some decades ago. Now that american ethos of “comfort is ok” is what dominates western societies looks. Its a staple of “entrepreneurship” success to run a business in hoodies and jeans, specially in creative and tech industries which are the most sought after today. That’s how I see it
Another interesting point I’d like to raise, is that I’ve noticed a lot of young children, even as young as 8-10 year olds, are dressing more “grown up”. For example, the number of (what has to be) 10 year old girls I see out in public, often wearing one pieces or dresses that are commonly designed for models or adults is staggering – it’s actually really disturbing. I know the current fashion climate is one of sexuality; exposing skin, showing “confidence” and “owning oneself” by exposure, but the fact that children are being influenced by this is not good. I personally blame social media and a lack of parental discipline to be the core of this. So it seems to me that adults are dressing “down” towards childishness, whereas children are dressing up towards… well I don’t know. What is it exactly?
Because of the disruptive upbringing I had, I had to teach myself about reality and living in it as a person. Everyone has to ultimately teach themselves about reality but I’d say in most cases people are born into a “normal” upbringing. So when I discovered men’s grooming and hygiene, I must say I certainly felt more of a man with the knowledge gained concerning looking and feeling sharp. After finishing Uni I wanted to see what I could do to be more professional and improve how I was perceived by others since I was now about to tackle the job market as a newly graduated person.
I really like Jordan Peterson’s content. He’s a pretty practical guy who speaks on things from an objective point of view typically. To hear that he sees men in t shirts and shorts for example as oversized kids is hilarious. I strongly disagree but I think people should be allowed to loosely judge people subjectively on public platforms without being cancelled so I’m all for this kind of conversation.
It used to be a rite of passage when boys were old enough to wear suits and girls got to switch to long dresses. It indicated to both the young person and the other people in society that this person is now to be treated like an adult. I took an anthropology class in college that looked at the different rites of passage in various cultures and there’s evidence that our lack of a rite of passage into adulthood is the source of a lot of teens/young adults’ problems with accepting adult responsibilities and feeling confident in themselves. Other cultures with clear rites of passage into adulthood don’t even have a concept of teen “angst” or rebellion because it just doesn’t exist for them (meaning that the issue is independent of hormones, which their teens have too). So these little things are important.
Wow, this is one of the few times I disagree with Jordan. I used to wear a suit every day for work up until 14 years ago. Since then, only at weddings or other formal dress code required events, and I feel completely uncomfortable. I’ve been wearing jeans, converse, and a t-shirt on a regular day for several years now, and a nice shirt or golf shirt for less casual moments. I don’t need an expensive suit to feel confident. I’m several years past that. If someone feels disrespected because I’m not wearing a suit, it is their problem, not mine. I mean, I wouldn’t show up with torn jeans and a hoodie, but respect is shown in how we treat people, not how we dress for them. At least in my opinion.
I agree with Peterson in that what you wear demonstrates one’s respect for an audience. There’s nothing more respectable than someone that wears appropriate, fitting clothing. I went to a lecture on exactly that as an associate of the chartered management institute (ACMI) when I was in university, although I believed it already.
I believe the focus on appearance is a two edged sword. you can look great, and at the same time look down on those who” look like their kids.” Ultimately people still judge books by their cover, its sad that something so elemental is being missed by this segment. I do agree when people notice that you look nice it makes us feel good, but I hate dressing up and being uncomfortable in the hopes that others would have a better view of me. Inside over outside all day. love the convo.
I like being stylish, and love the boost that wearing a suit gives me. Dress for the part you want. People who tease you about clearly feel uncomfortable with the confidence you radiate. That said, I do believe spending time and too much thought in your appearance can be detrimental, so when I’m not going to meetings(where I’ll where a suit.) I wear black t-shirts, black pants everyday. I find it looks good on me and also, black has an effect on how people communicate with you. I also benefit by putting just 5 minutes of thought to what I’ll wear each day. After discovering these benefits, I’d decided to shave my head(nervously) but it looks good and also saves me time styling it and going to a stylest and money!! Do yourselves a favor folks, never compromise your confidence, but save time where you can.
I used to dress the way society thought I should dress and now that I’m older, I dress for me which probably looks very eccentric but I’m okay with that. I spend a lot more time and thought on my attire now and especially with accessorizing. Mostly all vintage ranging from 1920’s to 2000’s scarves, jewelry, belts, hats, and layering clothes. My best foot forward might look like a freak show to Jordan Peterson.
I’m in my 20’s, but a few things he said resonated with me. After college, as I began to be asked to speak at churches about two years ago, while I don’t know for sure, I believe it was my pastor who gave me the advice “If you’re the one on stage, make sure you’re the best dressed man in the room. Find out what that group or congregation typically wears, then be the best dressed man in the room.” I carried that into the next season of my career working for a nonprofit, and it’s only been a benefit. It makes an impression on people and makes people listen and take you more seriously.
If you can’t afford to buy a quality suit, invest in a navy jacket. It’s a very versatile item to have in your wardrobe as it can be worn with a t shirt and jeans or formally in a suit and looks good on every occasion including outside the office eg meeting the girlfriend’s parents. Navy suits all skin tones, signifies that you’re calm and coincident and looks authoritative but non threatening.
Character > Clothes I enjoy listening to and respect both of these guys. HOWEVER, how a person treats you is more important than how they dress. “Never judge a book by its cover” right? I don’t believe how I dress is a form of respect, how I treat you & speak with you is. What you wear doesn’t tell me if you take yourself seriously or not, how you act does. Opinion vs. Opinion, respect nonetheless.
I wear a uniform 6 days a week and when I am home its shorts and tees I only dress up when I go out to eat or go to a party I exercise and go hiking,read,,play golf none of which requires a suit and tie which I find suffocating,if you are selling something or looking for a new job or girlfriend I get it, nowadays people will ask you subtly what do you do,where do you live etc and judge you on that any fool can buy an outfit or a luxury car.
I believe it was Tom Ford who said “dressing well is a form of good manners.” I remember when I was a young stock broker trainee on Wall Street (in an office where we never saw clients) our boss had a suits dress code. His theory was if you dress like a lady or gentleman, you’ll act like one and give off that impression on the phone while prospecting business. I see the value in it now.
I think it changes from generation to generation, because nobody wants to look like their parents. My father f.e was a Professor for Parasitology and he was most proud about never wearing a suit or a tie – and always bought the cheapest T-Shirts that weren’t related to any major brand. I tend to dress up more since I was young, because I was influenced by my grandparents – but my dad always found it kinda strange.
There is a saying,dress as though it matters.When I first heard that I was blown away,I was suddenly aware of how to read people.People going for a job interview dressed as if they were about to do some DIY or take the dog for a walk.When I got married one of her sons came to the ceremony in a sort of black sweatshirt,no shirt and tie,no jacket,he was in his thirties.The word disrespect comes to mind and I am not suggesting we should be over dressed just smarter.
I actually dressed up formally more in my 20s than I do now in my 30s as I worked in Finance. I did notice I got way more female attention when I dressed up especially since I’m from NYC. Now I have a gf and work from home so casual comfortable clothes is life. However, I challenge myself to dress up nicely at least once a week just to make sure I’m good to go once I actually need to dress up. 😂
I HATE wearing suits and most button-up shirts, especially with ties. They are VERY uncomfortable to me and make me feel like I am impersonating someone and i am not myself, like i am faking something. Also, I feel like I am constantly being choked when wearing a tie. Plus sometimes it is not practical in some jobs and situations.
When I first went to Europe the one thing I noticed is that most women and men are dressed up compared to how we dress up in Canada for everyday life. We looked like drifters compared to them. Then I went to the middle east and saw the same thing. My generation 50 something growing up in Canada, we dressed like drifters, and it was a STYLE. this is changing with the younger folks.
I agree to a certain extent. But when you are a tourist visiting a city with your kids during the summer, and it’s over 30 degrees C, it’s pretty uncomfortable and unpractical to wear a suit, though I can agree that you can maybe wear some nice chino shorts and a button up short sleave shirt and a straw hat, and not running shoes, baseball hat and gym shorts.
Such a relevant topic these days. I recently had to give a training seminar to the MD and VP of a well known company. Being the presenter, I asked my colleagues ( my direct manager and senior manager) to wear suits barring ties, which they were against. The reason being the attendees (MD and VP) would be in t shirt and jeans, it being a practical session, so we need to make them comfortable by wearing the same. I was insistent that we need to wear suits to make it professional and be respectful towards them. We are not the ones undergoing the practical session, so us wearing T shirt is irrelevant. Thankfully we did wear suits on the day and it was a great session. Also it also gave the opportunity to have great corporate photos clicked. The notion of dressing up needs to make a comeback soon!!!!
People from the 60s and prior decades are some of the most unhappy people as well. Alcoholism, chain smoking, anxiety driven and loathing in self pity. I personally wouldn’t reference the “adults” from previous generations for a way of living. “Dressing up” and overthinking what you wear in general is a form of insecurity and worrying too much about what people think of you, which creates an overarching sense of selfishness and angst that most people aren’t able to handle.
Very true. Every job and upgrade in life i’ve ever had I’ve dressed up and felt much better and sharper due to the effect my attire has had on my psyche. I have a huge beard now but when I interviewed 2 years ago for my current job I shaved for the first time in a long time and it definitely gave me a confidence boost. 3 raises later and I definitely attribute being clean cut as a huge contributor to getting hired. Although, now I’m in a beard competition with 3 coworkers haha
I remember dropping off my car at Big O Tires to get some work done. It was my day off and I was wearing sweat pants and a baggy t shirt. The guy behind the counter was kind of short with me. I picked it up a few days later after work. I was wearing dress slacks and a button up shirt. The same employee me saw me referred to me as sir and was very attentive. It was a night and day difference and I swear it was just because I looked professional.
When they introduced ‘dress down Friday’ at work a long while back I had to constantly remind people that it was ‘dress down day’, not ‘look like a bag of sht day’. Since then everyday is look like sht day and I am the odd one out because I still wear a tie. If you look like you don’t care, chances are you don’t care.
I’m perusal this, and I’m thinking “How long has the modern three-piece suit been around? Late 19th century?” Clothing norms have always changed throughout history. In ancient Persia, “dressing sharp” for men probably meant putting on some sort of flowing silk garment and blinging it up with makeup and golden jewelry. I agree with Peterson on many aspects of human reality and existence, but I think we should be cautious of getting TOO traditional, dogmatic and stagnant in our ways.
I work outside in nasty conditions and have most of my life but I’ve always dressed up on my off days if I’m not going to do anything that requires otherwise. People that on,y ever see me during work always ask why I’m dressed up. I’m not. This is how I dress. I also hate the fact that most men dress like children. They seem to act like it too.
I first really became aware of the importance of style through the website Real Men Real Style. There’s a bunch of good tips on there. And Jordan is dead on, your clothes reflect how highly you value yourself. There’s a first impression value towards the outside, but there’s also a sense of setting a standard of quality about oneself towards the inside. It’s almost like when you wear a t-shirt, nobody will be surprised to see you doing dorky stuff and that’s somewhat of an excuse. Doing dorky stuff in a suit is much more unexpected and more damaging to an appearance.
I can still remember going for a high end tech job in Silicon Valley (Bay Area) and getting yelled at by my interviewer for wearing a shirt and tie…he told me they only wear shirts and jeans and won’t hire anyone wearing suits. 10 years later i still wear my suits, i got a better job in SF, i actually was hired by that company and i outranked him…then i fired him wearing my suits and though i still allowed my employees to wear jeans to work i definitely do not hire people based on what they wear.
Formal wear is constrictive. If you have a stressful job, its the last thing you want as it exacerbates stress and anxiety. Comfort is key in a stressful job. No question about it. And don’t care too much about what others think of you. Business wear is only required in client facing activities, whether on a camera or person to person.
At 2:06, the host talked about people wearing sutis on airplanes. I remember a news story, may be in the 70s or 80s, that a couple were not allowed to board a plane because they were wearing track suits. They complained and the story made the news. Maybe the dress code relaxed after that. {My mother told me that during the 1930s and 1940s, everyone dressed formally to take the train.}
What Peterson says here is all correct, but the REAL reason people dress up less often nowadays is because of mass manufacturing realizing that costs can be cut with inferior materials and less value on fit (sizing of clothing in ratio to the body proportions of the individual). Over time, fashion adopts to the economic influences, but dressing well doesn’t need to be as expensive as most believe. I enjoy wearing suits and sport coats quite often and some of them I’ve spent a fair amount of money on, but others I’ve got vintage or at thrift stores. Once you know what things to look for in quality and construction, then you learn to spot better deals on clothing with the long-term lens in mind, rather than the cheapest of options which is only cheap in the short-term.
I started wearing a suit daily about six years ago. There is a default respect and deference the public shows to a man in a suit. For anyone that struggles with confidence, wear suits everywhere and watch the world for a few weeks. I have always been someone that showed people respect inherently, but people treat respect like a compliment when they believe it comes from someone with authority rather than a courtesy.
I find dressing up in a suit, it requires a certain change of how you hold yourself and present yourself. I see people wearing suits and I feel the need to treat them in a more formal and professional matter .. even in a casual setting.. and so when I’m the one wearing the suit, I feel the need to be more formal, and professional.. and I find it incredibly hard to be relaxed and normal; I feel like I have to be this completely different person. By nature, I’m relaxed, casual and easy going .. those three things I don’t feel like I can be when I’m wearing a suit.. it’s unnatural. The best thing for me about wearing a suit (other than it makes my wife happy) is taking it off .. metaphorically speaking, I feel like I’m holding my breath the entire time.. and when I take it off, I can stop holding my breath. I don’t know how to change that psychology. I look at the gentlemen in this article and I immediately want to listen to them, respect them.. admire the power that they have .. and the suit brings that for them and they don’t have to say a single word.. I don’t want power.. and the respect and being listened to will come, if it must.. when we verbally engage.. wearing a suit takes my confidence away to act in a way to gain respect and to be listened to. Am I the only one that feels that way?
I worked at a top PR firm as an entry level employee and wore a suit every day for years, mainly to make a positive impression on my colleagues. If not a suit, then at least a collared shirt and chinos. I definitely felt great wearing those clothes, and got a lot of compliments often. Most of my colleagues did not dress up like me. The more senior staff did, though. My next job was for a smaller ad agency/creative agency. No one dressed up there. The most senior member wore t shirts and jeans to work. I must say I really preferred that. I loved wearing my regular clothes (t shirt, shorts, sneakers, etc.) to work. It was freeing. Not to mention suits are expensive, and to have to buy one wardrobe for work and another for my everyday life was financially inconvenient. I’m all for casual attire in the work place and I have all my suits to charity. But to each his own.
Sometimes wearing a suit is a sign of respect – on a wedding or a funeral. Sometimes not wearing a suit is a sign of independence. Not having to care for anyones opinion of yourself. Society also is less superficial in this regard. Clothes don’t necessarily make the man anymore and sometimes a suit can in certain circles give the impression, that you are taking yourself too serious (so in this regard there still is superficiality). I personally like wearing suits because they look great the way they are cut these days.
I grew up in the era when people did still dress up. We would have clothes specifically for school or church which we would immediately change when we got home. If you were going to visit someone it wasn’t that you dressed as if you were visiting the queen of England but you would dress in clean, neatly pressed clothes. Going out on a date always meant changing to nicer clothes. I can remember when housewives might have their hair in curlers all day without makeup and in their cleaning clothes but before their husband got home their hair would be coffee, makeup in place and changed to clean, crisp clothing when their husband walked through the door. It was a very subtle way to let people know they were important to you. We spend a lot more on clothes now but have more of a selfish attitude now; that it is unreasonable for others to expect any extra effort from us. We confuse dressing up with showing up all costumed up like the Kardashians which is definitely not what it was about. I miss those days
Interesting. I have the opposite experience. I work as a consultant, and I’ve had multiple clients and people from established brands prefer working with me and my company because we are more down to earth, not having to wear a three piece suit and talk in fancy words to make an effective marketing strategy. While they at the same time expressed being tired of the typical professional virtue signaling of wearing a suit. Ofc don’t look lousy, but keep it real Anyway this is in Scandinavia so maybe there are some differences there.
As someone that (unfortunately) technically counts as part of the “Gen Z”, I am honestly quite sad that being well dressed is not at all “respected” anymore (in my generation/peer groups). On the rare occasions where I am able to wear a suit without “sticking out of the masses”, I feel much, much better. Wearing a suit makes you look more “put together”, more capable of doing important, difficult tasks. It makes you look more authorative, as if you are always in control of any given situation you are put in. And I think the confidence that you feel when wearing a suit (at least for me that’s the case), is unmatched. Especially as a young person, you feel much more like a sophisticated adult. Overall, I really hope that wearing a suit, or being “well dressed” in general, becomes more prominent in our modern society again. If the younger people would feel more sophisticated, more like adults, they would probably (hopefully) also behave in such a way. Thank you for reading, I’d be happy to hear your opinion on this topic. Either way, have a beautiful day 🙂
For women going to work and having families, the expectation to also dress like a fashion model everyday is very stressful. When the office I used to work in made business casual acceptable to wear every day, it took a tremendous load off. You can wear a very nice and comfortable outfit with jeans and still look professional (Not jeans with holes ripped in them that are made for teenagers who wear trends that are are not necessarily good “fashion”.) I think the idea of a man feeling he should wear a suit everyday kind of sad. Life is short. It sounds like he’s saying you have to wear a suit and be serious all the time because you’re an adult. But I agree with the overall message that your appearance makes a difference (if you’re wearing those ripped jeans or yoga pants vs wearing a suit or a really nice but less formal outfit.)
I’ve noticed how so many men my age dress like they’re kids. All they need is a skateboard under their arm to complete the look. I’ve gone the opposite way in recent years. I don’t wear suits but I buy good quality, correctly fitting clothes. It’s actually cheaper to buy a minimalist capsule wardrobe containing quality clothes that will last decades than to keep buying cheap clothing that needs replacing every year or so. And don’t get me started on tattoos!
Though life today is more turbulent, life back then was more brutal. People dressed up to hide that fact that life was brutal. It was overcompensation for the brutality they all lived day to day. In contrast, life today is more leisurely and secure, so dressing up is not seen as a cultural imperative. Though, it’s interesting to see if rather than brutality but aimlessness becomes a motivator for society to start dressing up again.