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Appearances

uniquely-ironic posted on Jun 04, 2009 | views: 401 | Tags: life, dressing, appearance, manners, humilitiy, modesty, kemptness, makeup-ugly-pretty, class, cool, Style
Okay, my life this week has been a kind of waiting game.  I'm waiting to get out of town tomorrow morning.  So evenings have been kind of slow.  I have managed to get onto that stair stepper each evening for at least a short session.  I have also been battling the monthly curse this week, so it's no small victory that I haven't given into the urge to skip the exersize and just curl up with a hot water bottle and a pint of chunky monkey ice cream. :)
 
I find that if I change into my sweats and tank top as soon as I'm home I'm more likely to get my work out in.  Of course this leads to me being a sweaty mess afterwards.  I often just don't have the energy to shower and change into clean clothes afterwards before I walk downtown to get some dinner.  I often go out with just a sweater or hoodie tossed over my tank top and if I am in shorts I do have the decency to put on long sweat pants.  My appearance is very obviously casual if not downright disreputable. LOL
 
All of this is a lead up to a question of social comfort levels.  I have known some women who would rather be physically tortured rather than leave the house with less than a full face of makeup and perfectly styled hair.  Others will leave the house in pajama pants.  Part of the culture of the state I live in and moreso the city/region I live in is casual to the point of ridiculous.  Apparently I'm very in touch with this culture!
 
Gals: Are you comfortable leaving the house without makeup?  How casually dressed will you leave the house?
 
Guys: Are you likely to leave the house without shaving?  Is there an unacceptable level of casual dress for men?


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Comments

  • Hegemone said on Jun 04, 2009....
    Huh, well makeup isn't an issue for me as I rarely wear it anyway.  If there is a special event for work, or a special personal even like a wedding or something I will put it on, otherwise, I go au natural.  As far as clothing, I feel weird when I go out in my PJs so I never do.  Also, if I feel yucky in my clothes and I don't HAVE to leave the house in them, I won't until I can put something more comfortable on.  I don't have to be dressed up and primped to a T, but I at least like to feel comfortable and remove any glaring obvious possibilities to be stared at, lol.
  • superbozo said on Jun 04, 2009....
    I am likely not to shave for days, and as long as the little fella isn't showing I'm decent. I think Australia is more casual than most countries of the world. Hell sometimes I do not even bother with shoes. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it fuddy duddies :)
  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 04, 2009....
    Hege - so for you it's more of a clothing issue.  I have to admit, some times I will wander out braless in a tank with sweats and my hair in that tucked up ponytail thing going on.  I'd be gob stopped if a guy found that attractive.
  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 04, 2009....
    super - I think that was one of the reasons I was so comfy in OZ during my visit.  The casual attitude is very akin to the Cali lifestyle.  I don't mind a guy not shaving as long as I don't have to rub faces with him, but displaying the little fella is a deal breaker! LOL
  • Hegemone said on Jun 04, 2009....
    Uni, ya never know, you could be surprised, lol.  Some of them find it brave to go out looking like that.  Others find it cute, or so I've heard.  I dunno where I developed my inability to be comfortable going out in my dress-downs but I sure can't get rid of it either!
  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 04, 2009....
    Hege - I think you're better served to have that "inability".  I could use a bit more of that. ;)
  • Hegemone said on Jun 04, 2009....
    Lol, we'll do a swap ... you can have some of my inability and I'll take some of your ability ... that should get us meeting in the middle at least ... maybe, lol.
  • queenparanoia said on Jun 04, 2009....
    i dont make up cuz i dont work... so....yeah i'm pretty comfortable in whatever i'm wearing... lol...

    i have a "i dont care what you  think about my clothes" syndrome... i just dont care at all...
  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 04, 2009....
    Hege - do you suppose some of that is about where you live?  I know in Cali there seem to be no unacceptable clothing options except butt nekkid ;)
  • superbozo said on Jun 04, 2009....
    I've always thought butt nekid was perfectly acceptable :0 when it's a female butt nekidian :)
  • Hegemone said on Jun 04, 2009....
    You know, come to think of it, really I don't know.  I mean, for every person that has to look perfectly put together there's one or two that want to look as disarrayed as possible.  I suppose overall everybody at least looks presentable around here though.
  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 04, 2009....

    super - there was actually a guy who was a student at Berkley who showed up to classes naked a lot.  They called him naked guy and let him be. (how original)  I'm not sure I'd want to see people running around nekkid.  Some people look better in clothes ;)  just saying .....

    Hege - so maybe not consciously, but subconsciously the people where you live have sort of agreed on a level of acceptable appearances.  I think that's why some people here wander into public in their jammies.  No one bats an eye at them.

  • superbozo said on Jun 04, 2009....
    Some look better in clothes only till you get them off....then they look much betterer. I mean I'd look great if it wasn't for this huge pole that always get in the way here :P
  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 04, 2009....
    super - Bwa ha ha ha!  I'm sure you're one of the lucky ones who looks better nekkid. ;)  *sigh* men! always bragging about their "poles"
  • alabamagirl said on Jun 04, 2009....
    In the past, I wouldn't leave the house if my makeup wasn't on and my hair wasn't perfect.  Now, I'll leave the house with sweats and a tee shirt!  By the way, what is chunky monkey ice cream?  Sounds yummy!
  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 04, 2009....
    alabamagirl - Hmmm maybe part of this social dressing thing hinges on age.  Chunky monkey ice cream is one of my favorite flavors from Ben and Jerrys.  Lots of chocolate and some nuts with vanila and I think caramel.  Of course I haven't had any in a while since I'm trying to loose some of the "extra" me.
  • fragglesrock said on Jun 04, 2009....

    you should SEE the way i run out of the house some mornings. downright shameful some days.  i don't really know what happened, i used to care so much more! recently i found myself sitting at a bar wearing no makeup, a ponytail, my glasses, an ugly hoodie and DIRTY jeans!!!! i laughed and thought "who am i? and where has the real me gone?" used to be that i wouldn't be caught dead in a social place looking like that...

  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 04, 2009....
    frags - I think in your case it might be having kids.  I know that my standard of grooming was "adjusted" when my kids came along.  You learn to live with a ponytail, hoodie and jeans as if THAT is dressing up! LOL  But then, I think that get up is a step up from braless, tank, sweats and tucked up ponytail and all sweaty.
  • cuppajava said on Jun 04, 2009....
    I leave the house without shaving all the time.I actually only shave every second day or so.I have been known to go to the local store in a pair of shorts and my slippers and nothing else.I live in a very sleepy town where most of the houses are about 80 years old,and not much happens here.In the complex that i live in,people leave their furniture and washing outside all night some times.No hang ups for me
  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 04, 2009....
    cuppa - that actually sounds very cozy and relaxed. :)
  • cuppajava said on Jun 04, 2009....
    Uni - it is.If i get the time and the oppurtunity,I will take some pics of the older houses in the neighbourhood and post them here
  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 04, 2009....
    cuppa - that would be very cool!
  • beyondtheveil said on Jun 04, 2009....
    unique- I've dressed the same since I was able to draw a six shooter. That's jeans, western shirt and boots or sneakers. I shave every morning without fail.

    I don't care how women dress, the less the better. But I don't want to see anything of a man except face, hands, and neck.
  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 04, 2009....
    BTV - *giggles* so you're not a big fan of men in dork short, wild print shirt and sandals with dark socks?!  I like the "get up" that you wear.  It's decent and clean looking I'd imagine.
  • Lucytorial said on Jun 04, 2009....
    keh you know me, make up is for going out out, as for leaving the hosue? I'll go daggy, as long as I don't look like a hobo relaxed is fine.
  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 04, 2009....
    Lu - you always looked pulled together when I was there.  Hell, you made my inability to keep my mascara from puddling under my eyes look pathetic. 
  • travelr712 said on Jun 04, 2009....
    i don't shave every day myself, and it's pretty casual in this town. people go to church in jeans. personally, i don't think jeans are any more comfortable than khakis or whatnot.
  • ABOVE_TOP_SECRET said on Jun 04, 2009....

    Men on the East coast seem to dress better than on the West coast.

    The song "WELL DRESSED MAN" by ZZ-TOP says it well.

  • Lucytorial said on Jun 04, 2009....
    Mascara is a mans invention fucking asshole... it never stays where you want it too. LOL
     
    @ Trav ~ I prefer jeans on men than khaki's... something about the way jeans hug a mans package.
  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 04, 2009....
    trav - I don't think I could go to a church service in jeans myself.  I know God doesn't care, but I was raised to show respect by wearing something better than my everyday when visiting God's house. 
     
    ATS - that is true!  Also, the women tend to wear dress suits rather than pant suits to business meetings on the east coast.
     
    Lu - I am just waiting to find a salon that dyes eyelashes so that I can avoid that whole mascara issue.
  • Lucytorial said on Jun 04, 2009....
    Bugger that, then again I have naturally long lashes, my sister gets hers died cause she's got blonde hair.
  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 04, 2009....
    mine are long, just not dark clear to the tips.  I used to get them dyed all the time, but am having trouble finding an place that does it that I can afford.
  • travelr712 said on Jun 04, 2009....
    i'll remember that should we ever meet lu :-D
     
    i was raised the same way uni, i always wore at least business casual.
  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 04, 2009....
    trav - funny how even when we're well past a certain phase of our lives we still retain the habits.  While I no longer belong to the church I grew up in, I still don't eat shellfish and I wear jewelry very sparingly as "left over" habits.
  • travelr712 said on Jun 04, 2009....
    you're right uni. i guess that's because allot of the habits and opinions we gained growing up came from there, and we've had them so long. besides, i really don't see any reason to change. like you said, it shows respect. but what church doesn't allow shellfish?
  • dyingman said on Jun 04, 2009....
    Shave:
    If it's the weekend and I'm only seeing friends (maybe in-laws) it's time to give my face a rest.  Workdays, forget it.  I've spent my whole life trying to look professional since I don't act it.

    Appearance:
    I get the Sunday paper in a robe and bare feet.  The neighbors have no idea I have briefs on and I don't suspect any of the ladies hoping for a stiff breeze to give me a Marilyn Monroe over the grate moment.

    Unacceptable?
    Don't let me catch you outside in an undershirt.  You'll need a few years to gain my respect back.  No shirt at all?  You better be gardening or playing B-ball.

    I'm unapologetically old.




  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 04, 2009....

    trav - I grew up Seventh Day Adventist.  Part of their belief system was that we not eat anything but kosher meats, if you ate meat at all.  Shellfish are one of the "unclean" foods on that list.

    dyingman - you sound much more disciplined than I am.  Or most people for that matter. 

  • woman said on Jun 04, 2009....
    When young I didn't care. brush my teeth and go. Now that I'm, shall we say mature, I always fix my hair and put a little makeup on. Try to make sure my clothes are flattering. With age comes effort. The exception to this is when I go out to walk in the morning. Roll out of bed, through on anything, and out the door. On a good day I will brush my teeth. If I think too long about it I will just go back to bed!
  • sweetsoul said on Jun 04, 2009....
    Well I don't own a hoodie or sweats and I don't wear PJs so you're never going to see me outside in any of those. Running shoes (for me) are for tasks that require them, so I'm not going to the grocery store or movies in them.
     
    I wear less make-up than I used to - usually just mascara and lipstick - and you'll rarely see me go out without them on. It's mostly because my eyelashes are fair so I look better with mascara, but my lipstick always wears off quickly and I don't reapply it usually so by 10 am it's gone.
     
    Generally my weekend clothes are the same as my business casual clothes plus jeans. I'll often wear skirts or dresses in the warmer weather. I've got denim jackets in a variety of colours but all in the jeans jacket style.
     
    Yes, I'm the person that thinks casual doesn't mean sloppy, or dirty, or sweats or PJs. I won't comment if you wear them...I live in a large metropolitan city so people wear them every day. You'll just never see me in them.
  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 04, 2009....
    woman - LOL I get the "think too long about it" thing!  I find that as long as no exersize is involved I'm always more presentable.  Otherwise it's just a struggle to get out the door.
     
    ss - you sound very pulled together.  I admire that. :)
  • travelr712 said on Jun 04, 2009....
    yeah, that's the one. i read that somewhere, but couldn't remember which denomination it was. they all seem to have their 'things' don't they? mine was to drink grape juice every week and be dunked.
  • darlene1985 said on Jun 04, 2009....
    I feel very ugly leaving my house without makeup. As soon as I wear makeup and do my hair I notice the difference in people and how they react to me and treat me. Especially men. Wow. what a difference a bit of makeup does! and then men say they dont like women wearing too much makeup! I think a woman has the right to re do her face because it is judged upon the world.
  • phoeby said on Jun 04, 2009....
    i've been told i look nice without makeup, but i have to admit i feel better with it on. even if it's just mascara and kohl pencil. Im not into that rugged grungey look unless i have absolutely no time and im just dropping off my son to school and it's a study at home day. I like to take some care with how i appear usually. 
  • savantics said on Jun 04, 2009....
    being southern in birth, sometimes i wonder if i weilded a hairspray can from birth,......clothing is a different issue

    during the fall and some of the winter i LIVE in a uniform of black yoga pants and tees / hoodies

    the summer i don  my soffee shorts and tank tops, and while i understand this may not be acceptable dress for all places, it seems to work for me

    but my golly my hair is gonna be cute

    as for make up, i rarely wear more than mascara and eye liner,.....and that i even wear to the guym
  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 04, 2009....

    trav - you got dunked every week? that sounds like a lot of work!   They all have their quirks, and I admire those people who can stick with it.  I'm just not one of them.

    darlene - yes, makeup does make a difference.  I guess some times I'm just not in a mood to care whether or not I meet the male standard.

    phoeby - nothing wrong with taking care of your looks. 

    savantics - I've heard about that addiction to great hair that southern gals have.

  • savantics said on Jun 04, 2009....
    uni,.....its jacked to jesus hair,....the bigger the hair the closer to god,....the bigger the hair the smaller my hips look,.....

    its the southern way
  • darlene1985 said on Jun 04, 2009....
    sometimes I dont care either as my sister says the day a man wants you when he meets you without any makeup is really the man that likes you and perhaps is the right man. I would have loved to have taken pictures of my ex boyfriends faces when they saw me without makeup for the first time! LOL surprise huny!
  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 04, 2009....

    savantics - LMAO I've never heard it put that way!!!  Bwa ha ha ha ha! 

    darlene - *giggles* that's always a scary moment but men who prefer no makeup do exist.  I've had the priviledge to know a few.

  • Lioness said on Jun 04, 2009....
    Yup, I can go out without makeup unique, but not without having powdered my face. I hate shiny skin. LOL  I go for jeans and tanks most of the time. 
  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 04, 2009....
    Lioness - powder especially in hot climates is a great quick fix.
  • LonelyWanderer said on Jun 05, 2009....
    haha! I leave the house without make up everyday! I can never be bothered with it unless I am going out with friends or on a special occasion! But I generally wouldnt wear Pjs out side of my house/garden..but unless it is badly stained I would generally wear anything out. There are some days when dressing up is the last thing I want to do..I just want to be comfy so its a sweater and jeans and off I go..but then I'm a bit of a "tomboy" as it were anyway..so it doesnt really surprise people much!
  • fearing said on Jun 05, 2009....
    I would leave the house without makeup in a heartbeat but I am very iffy on leaving the house in sweatpants/shirt.  I don't have to be dressed up but you won't catch me in the grocery store like that unless I'm dying of the flu.  Odd, I know.
     
    I have this theory.  If I put on a formal gown, flawless makeup, with my hair beautifully done and went to each and every store and restaurant in this small town, I wouldn't see a soul who knew me.  BUT, if I have the flu or a stomach bug that stomps my guts out and run to the store for toilet paper and personal items in sweatpants and flip flops with dark circles under my eyes and my hair in knots - it is absolutely guaranteed I'll see every ex-boyfriend (and their wives) I've ever had!  I'd also run into my ex-husband who would then be dating a super model.  Trust me, it happens.  A lot.  ..... maybe it isn't a theory, maybe it happened.  ha ha!
     
    ;-)
     
     
  • uniquely-ironic said on Jun 05, 2009....
    Lonely - like you, comfort comes first for me with those few exceptions.
     
    fearing - I've had that happen to me a lot!  Never fails that when I'm having an "off" day that someone I'd rather impress will come along and then I feel even worse off.  It's like a universal rule of attraction I think.
  • marie5 said on Jun 05, 2009....
    I agree with Darlene 1985. Some people treat you differently if you are dressed nice and "done up". It's all about confidence though and how you feel about yourself. I am comfortable wearing casual clothing and no make up going to the store or picking up my son from school. Going to a sit down dinner or a party I am dressed nice and hair and makeup done.
  • tripnfall said on Jun 05, 2009....
    this post is more then hilarious. i leave the house in exactly what i wake up in but make up in the car is a must, no need to scare the children :)
  • docmike7 said on Jun 07, 2009....
    Whatever a person's situation in life, it's a good idea to spend some time in dressing well, taking care on one's health, and spending time appreciating the arts and mankind's place in the universe. Nothing is better than a good book where one might get lost in fictional or virtual life of others, unless it is a story related by one who has adventured out of the mundane and the weary to cature a rapt audience in the thralls of danger,of love and passion, and even satisfaction that the day was lived to the extreme. Tomorrow will bring more of the same. Now, where is my cat?
  • UnicornForm said on Jun 07, 2009....
    I will leave the house in anything. if it was legl to be naked id wear just panties all the time. makeup aint a necessity.

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