Flipping and Flopping in the House of Whiteness
Manolo says, many of the Manolo’s internet friends have emailed the Manolo about the story of the college girls who wore the flip-flops to meet the Mr. President.
Before visiting the White House, Kate Darmody carefully planned her outfit. She bought a sundress from Ann Taylor. She put on a strand of white pearls.And then she slipped on flip-flops to meet the president. So did about half of her teammates from the national championship Northwestern University women’s lacrosse team, invited to the White House last Tuesday after a 21-0 season.
She didn’t think twice about the footwear until she got an e-mail - in all capital letters -from her brother.
“YOU WORE FLIP-FLOPS TO THE WHITE HOUSE????!!!!” he wrote after checking out the picture on the team’s website.
What can the Manolo possibly say to this, except to note, as he has noted in the past, that we live in the sadly debased era, when the standards of the proper dress and the fit comportment have become the mere suggestions, to be observed or not observed at the whim of the individual.
These girls they do not know–their mamas have not taught them–that properly dressing according to the occasion, it is about the respect; respect for the occasion, respect for the other persons present, and respect for the self.
Yes, the Manolo he is most happy we live in the age of democratic informality, when the humble need not bow and scrape before the mighty, when free peoples may greet each other in the spirit of amity and concord as equals. Yet, at the same of the time, he cannot help but think that we have gone too far in this process of the levelling.
To the mind of the Manolo, the somewhat exaggerated politeness and more formal dress of the previous era gave the dignity and proper sense of self to even the most humble. To put on the suit and tie and shined shoes, to wear the dress and stockings and pumps, these things they recalled one to correct behavior, and demanded of others the respect.
Now, we wear the flip-flops and the shirts of the Hawaiians to the church, and to the funerals, and to meet the Mr. President in the House of Whiteness, and we think that this it is fine, but this it is only because we have forgotten the pleasures and social benefits to be had in dressing properly.
July 19th, 2005 at 10:37 am
I love you.
No, really. I have been saying this FOR YEARS, what you said. It’s not about forcing you to “conform” to the rules of “The Man”; it’s about RESPECT. It’s about APPROPRIATENESS.
There is a time and a place for the flip-flop, girls and boys. I am not dissing the flip-flop. No one loves the flip-flop more that the Lisa! The flip-flop is the shoe of the summer! But it is NOT and never has been the shoe of the formal occasion, and it is CERTAINLY not the shoe of the meeting of the President.
Thank you, The Manolo, for being the voice crying in the wilderness.
July 19th, 2005 at 10:41 am
amen.
July 19th, 2005 at 11:13 am
god, do I hate flip-flops. They’re ugly, dowdy, and really not that comfortable!
July 19th, 2005 at 11:19 am
The Deja feels strongly that neither are the flip-flops appropropriate for the office wear. However she is in the minority, and is surrounded by the flip-flops of the rubber.
July 19th, 2005 at 11:24 am
The Scarlett wonders what would qualify as a special occassion for these girls.
The Manolo is right … these girls were not taught by their mamas. Or if they were, they pretended that their mamas didn’t know what they were talking about.
I recall attending an opening night performance of a Broadway play that later won the Tony. My second row, center ticket for the sold-out show cost a pretty penny. I bought a beautiful little black dress and I wore a pair of Stuart Weitzman sling-back evening shoes. The couple to my immediate right wore jeans and Chuck Taylors. (If it had been summer, they would have surely been replaced by flip-flops.) I remember wondering if they just couldn’t be bothered to change or if this just wasn’t a big deal to them.
When The Scarlett had the opportunity to attend a luncheon a couple of years ago honoring Prince Andrew, you can be sure that she wore a smart suit and hat coupled with a pair of nubuck suede pumps. If I ever get a chance to meet the President or any other head of state, you can be certain that I will carefully consider my attire, including footwear.
My own mama raised me well.
July 19th, 2005 at 11:30 am
The Scarlett would be mortified were she to visit LA. The “Casual” has been taken to the extremes by many here, and one can go to the opera or a four-star restaurant and yet be surrounded by those in jeans, sneakers and a t-shirt.
July 19th, 2005 at 11:55 am
Here’s a pic, if anyone wants it (I didn’t see a pic in the article The Manolo linked to). http://nusports.collegesports.com/sports/w-lacros/spec-rel/071305aab.html What stands out to me is that the girls wearing the flipflops look so ungainly. Un-graceful - which is sad, because they’re all lovely young women.
The mothers interviewed seemed horrified by their daughters’ choices. I’m not sure we can entirely blame the moms… I know my mother’s head would explode if she saw what I am intending to wear to the doctor’s office this afternoon, but I’m still going to wear it. (T-shirt with a saucy slogan, nothing TOO horrible)
After thinking about what Lisa said about respect, one might wonder if the choice of flip-flops might have been a deliberate and subtle (?) commentary.
July 19th, 2005 at 11:58 am
Walking the streets of Washington DC all I see are twenty-something girls wearing the flip-flops. They’re on their way to work! I know what they’re trying to achieve–a casual look. But they could wear a pretty slide with kitten heels, for instance, and it would look so much more chic.
July 19th, 2005 at 12:01 pm
Again, I am in awe of the Monolo, who so aptly characterizes and explains the latest devolution of what Patina calls “The Scourge of the FlipFlops.” Finally, Big Media has deigned to take notice and cast shame on those who think flipflops appropriately accessorize more than just the bikini or the maillot. For years, Patina has observed in horror the feets of the office ladies who flip and flop their way around the streets of the nation’s capital. It almost makes Patina long for the days of the running shoes and the white socks.
July 19th, 2005 at 12:04 pm
The deja pseu is sadly correct. LA has taken the “casual” to extremes. But, of course, the LA has gone to extremes of all natures, the Tia notes.
The Tia applauds the Scarlett for her appropriate theatre wear, as the Tia would be honored to be in her company. The Tia will gladly buy the Scarlett a glass of champagne during the intermission break.
But the Tia has mixed feelings, as the Tia’s nino of the 17 years wears only the T-shirts of the Clash, the jeans of the cargo, and the boots of the Doc Maartens, but she encourages her nino to attend the theatre and the concert hall with the Tia and Tio Nieve.
If American theatre remains vital by making the wearers of the Chuck Taylors feel welcome in the second row center orchestra section, the Tia approves.
It is up to the Tia, and to the Scarlett, to set the example for the wearers of the Chuck Taylors and the teenagers such as the nino of the Tia. The nino of the Tia now enjoys to attend the concerts at the Hall of Disney, and the theatre of the Shakespeare’s Globe, and the concerts of the jazz music.
What the Tia cannot abide in the theatre or the hall of the concert is the cheering off the “Woof Woof!” similar to that of the now-obsolete Arsenio Hall show — but that is simply the prejudice of the Tia.
July 19th, 2005 at 12:13 pm
I had hoped the girls were making a subtle footware statement about Bush’s flip-flopping on the whole Karl Rove debacle (”I’ll fire the bastard that leaked that name! Unless! I know them or something, then maybe I probably shouldn’t. Anyone? A little help here?”).
July 19th, 2005 at 12:28 pm
It is most a matter of the girls not respecting themselves. Flip flops to the White House. Flip flops to the church. Flip flops to the dinner.
My dears, if you are going to the place of business, wear shoes (and apparently the hosiery is the cause lost. The Sara still feels mortified with the legs bare.)
My how we have progressed, from the era of the girdle (no girdle, you hussy!), to the era of the crack exposed, with the thong on the display.
Silly girls, and wonder why the boys see you as the object sex?
Will it be the breasts bare, next?
The shudder!
July 19th, 2005 at 12:38 pm
What better excuse could a girl have to go out and buy a cute, smart dress (with shoulders! I should think one should wear a dress or shirt with sleeves to meet the President) and some wonderful shoes (recommended by our Manolo, of course) with, perhaps, a little clutch? Why is it that nobody seems that excited to dress up a bit? It happens too rarely, these days. Why, I was at a wedding, and saw a man wearing jean shorts!
July 19th, 2005 at 12:55 pm
The deja has recently had to explain to one of her staff why the tight camisole with the “Bootylicious” written in the sequins across the chest and the exposed thong were not the appropriate office wear.
Regarding the hosiery, the deja does not understand how some of the shoes can be worn comfortbly without it. Yes, there are the loafer peds (which always end up showing above the shoe and spoil the look), and the foam pads to go in the shoe, but the bare feet in the pumps seem destined for the blisters and the stinkyness.
July 19th, 2005 at 12:56 pm
Yeah, but they weren’t wearing rubber beach flip flops. They were mules with thong straps, some with kitten or stacked heels, some with rhinestones. So not formal shoes, but summery and entirely appropriate with the pretty dresses they chose. Not shower shoes, like people are making it sound.
The thought of hosiery in the summer is far more repulsive. (shudder)
Big flap over nothing. Lots more going on the White House to get upset over, would be my guess.
July 19th, 2005 at 1:09 pm
Themis, look at the picture. Two of the girls in the front wearing the flat, thick-soled flip-flops.
Yes, there are far more serious doings at the WH these days, but this is Manolo’s Shoe Blog! Of course we are going to talk about the shoes.
July 19th, 2005 at 1:15 pm
The shoes I see on girls 1, 3, and 7 on the front row (from left to right) are wearing flip flops. Not mules, kittens, lightly heeled thongs or anything other than that which constitutes shoes of the shower.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-07/18492080.jpg
July 19th, 2005 at 1:17 pm
I’ll even throw in number 4 as wearing flip-flops, too.
July 19th, 2005 at 1:28 pm
I blame the purveyors of fashion in magazines, which have convinced this generation of young females that flip-flops are, in fact, real shoes. It is apparent to me that the girls have selected their clothing with care, so I can only assume that they have been misinformed about the appropriateness of flip-flops, and this I blame not on their mamas (who seem rightly indignant, if the mama who emailed her daughter is any representative) but on the magazine-retailer conspiracy, which has foisted upon us this shoe trend until it has frothed over into places it was never meant to go.
July 19th, 2005 at 1:46 pm
Only if you have the ability to change your style can you demonstrate your maturity and flexibility. Knowing that you can appear equally polished and poised in casual clothing as well as your “Sunday best” gives you confidence, and showing that you know when to wear each style lets others know your sophistication and good judgment. (Note that casual and Sunday best are not the only two options.)
July 19th, 2005 at 1:48 pm
I blame Abercrombie & Fitch as well as American Eagle for kids’ sense of “fashion” these days…oh yeah, and “The OC”. Mamas do indeed purchase the clothing (or lack thereof in most cases), but its the influence of such places that convince kids that their clothes are cool and fashionable….
As I sit here in my office wearing Franco Sarto slides, I am surrounded by those dressed in sweats, baggy T-shirts and *platform* flip-flops…and I have to wonder “WHY!?!?!?!”
July 19th, 2005 at 1:48 pm
Just as I post about how I’ve decided to cave in to the flip-flop trend, I see this… the Manolo, he has saved me from the fashion hell once again!
July 19th, 2005 at 1:52 pm
Sing it, mah bruthah! Testify!
July 19th, 2005 at 2:01 pm
According to the article, flip flops now cost even hundreds of dollars. That’s great. But these girls, who are receiving an excellent education, I’m sure, should have known better.
As someone from another country who now lives in the South East of the United States, I’m appalled at how even supposed “nice restaurants” allow people to saunter in and sit at dinner tables with baseball caps on and of course - flip flops. I don’t care how expensive your flip flops are or if you’re sporting diamonds with that choice of footwear - it is not appropriate.
What happened to dress codes? What happened to formal/fine dining?
Sad. Sad sad sad.
July 19th, 2005 at 2:03 pm
Maybe I should clarify what I meant by the “I’m from another country” thing:
Where I’m from, different styles of restaurants (casual to formal dining) have certain dress codes you follow to keep with the ambience.
I also need to know when to stop commenting.
July 19th, 2005 at 2:15 pm
The Whine Mistress agrees completely with the Tia Nieve that we must continue to set an example for the young. The Whine Mistress intends to use this transgression as an opportunity to gently remind her own daughter, the lovely Princessette, that of the many, many shoes in LP’s closet, none of the sparkley flip flops are appropriate formal wear. Ever. The Whine Mistress hopes to get a roll of the big blue eyes and an affirmation that the LP has been raised to know better.
July 19th, 2005 at 2:17 pm
I am not trying to excuse the women, who clearly should have known better, but it seems to me that the photographer could have simply reordered the players so that the one with “proper shoes” were in the front. There does not seem to be such a great difference in height among the subjects that those people HAD to be in the front row. Surely among the other 3 rows, there had to have been 4 women not wearing flip flops. And I don’t think it would have been out of place for the photographer to explain that wearing flip flops to such an occasion revokes their front row privledges.
July 19th, 2005 at 2:22 pm
Personally, I find the phrase “House of Whiteness” to be, unintentionally, the funniest part of this whole debacle. While the Manolo is probably not the first to make that joke, how appropriate is it to see that title over the picture of our upper-crust, prep-school president surrounded by the creme de la creme of college athletes–only two of whom appear to be anything other than “creme” colored. Flip-flops are not the most important class issue here.
The flip-flops are regrettable, but as a wealthy white girl at a top tier college, I certainly recognize the look. The combination of nice outfit and flip-flops is saying: “I’m rich (and stylish, and fabulous) enough to spend as much as I want on my outfit, and also rich enough not to care (hence the flip-flops on my feet).” I know it, because I do it, though rarely to the theater.
July 19th, 2005 at 2:38 pm
I’m sure many others besides myself remember the photo of Jenna Bush in court following her arrest for underage drinking. Flip flops and a toe ring. In court.
I am not much older than Jenna or the women on the lacrosse team, but I can’t imagine what they were thinking when they put those shoes on their feet. They look horrible.
July 19th, 2005 at 2:46 pm
On the Northwestern site, the (shocking) picture has been cropped at the bottom so that some of the flip-flops have been cut out! This is not by accident, I think.
July 19th, 2005 at 3:46 pm
Amen, Manolo! Preach it!!!
July 19th, 2005 at 3:48 pm
How apropos. Just today I had to send home someone who thought a miniskirt and running shoes with bare legs would be an appropriate work ensemble.
July 19th, 2005 at 4:01 pm
Looking at the picture, the flip flops do look bad. The girl 2nd from the left looks much better in her low heels.
However, think it’s preferable to have too-casual shoes than too-short skirts or shirts! I see girls all the time wearing skirts that barely cover rears or shirts that don’t cover bellies. At least these girls are covered up, and for the most part look appropriate.
July 19th, 2005 at 4:30 pm
I am not against the flip flops for casual weekend wear, perhaps a jaunt to the supermarket or even a casual summer friday at the office. The thing one must ask ones self is - would these be ruined by a trip to the beach? If the answer is yes, they are not appropriate for anything other than the beach. Period.
Those girls are all severely underdressed in my opinion. What’s wrong with a nice summer suit and some slides? I am not a nylon/hose person however. There is nothing hot about hose.
July 19th, 2005 at 4:38 pm
Since it is summer and this is Washington-DC-built-on-a-swamp, I will say it is OK to wear flip flops OUTSIDE on the way to your destination (in winter it is also acceptable to wear winter boots in this situation). But once you get to the front door please find a place to sit down to put on other shoes. Somewhere before you get to the office and people see you (if your coworkers like you, you could also quickly change at your desk before starting any actual work). I carry a plastic bag inside my briefcase to put my beloved flip flops in when I get to work.
Flip flops are wonderfully designed to be small and lightweight and thus fit neatly inside a small bag. These lacrosse girls (and I was a former lacrosse player myself) could have easily carried their nice shoes for the walk to the security checkpoint (a good idea as the sidewalks around that area are made of gravelly stuff that tears up the soles and heels of shoes), changed shoes, slipped the flip flops in a plastic bag, stuck inside a more suitable looking bag. Presto! Instant class!
July 19th, 2005 at 5:02 pm
I have never liked flip flops of any kind worn anywhere at anytime. My mother would wholeheartedly agree with you too Manolo. What are we coming to?
July 19th, 2005 at 5:54 pm
Miss Tanya, you lost me… you said,
The thing one must ask ones self is - would these be ruined by a trip to the beach? If the answer is yes, they are not appropriate for anything other than the beach. Period.
So if I have a pair of $10,000 emerald-encrusted satin pumps, which certainly would, yes, be ruined by a trip to the beach, then those are “not appropriate for anything other than the beach”??? I think I’m confused..
July 19th, 2005 at 5:58 pm
Did they go straight from their winning streak to this reception? Maybe none of them had nice shoes or enough notice/money to get them.
July 19th, 2005 at 6:38 pm
I remember when we used to get dressed up to go to dinner. AND to fly on an airplane. “Looking NICE” was a very big deal indeed. And we lived in super-hot, sticky-humid Michigan. Hose were not optional at church or at work. Sigh — I actually miss the unwritten dress codes. Flip flops? Only at the beach — and only on hot sand — otherwise, barefoot!
July 19th, 2005 at 8:35 pm
the rachel, she would wear flipflops, sweatpants, and a do-rag were she in the company of the dubya, as she holds the dubya in such base regard that she does not believe that he is worthy of her tailored dress, tahitian pearls, and tasteful shoes.
July 19th, 2005 at 9:11 pm
The Elvira understands the Rachel’s point, but the Elvira would excuse herself and not attend the event. Perhaps she would stay home and care for her shoes instead.
July 19th, 2005 at 9:28 pm
I despise flip flops. People everywhere in every situation, even at work, are making these ungodly flapping noises everywhere they go and showing off their nasty feet to the world. It’s gross. My brother got married recently. It was a church wedding and the whole family dressed up with the tuxes and the elegant dresses and the appropriate shoes, but my brother’s trashy friends actually showed up in cut offs and tank tops and freaking flip flops. People who would do that cannot be trusted to get anything right. That’s what I think whenever I see people in flip flops at work or at the White House. Even if they are only meeting the Shrub. It’s very gratifying to see that, from all the “flap” over the “flops,” I’m not the only one who thinks so. I’m not pleased with the low riser cropped pants plague either, but that’s another discussion.
July 19th, 2005 at 9:47 pm
“….properly dressing according to the occasion, it is about the respect; respect for the occasion, respect for the other persons present…”
what Rachel said.
July 20th, 2005 at 12:55 am
I am positive that Mr. Bush, the President, and a very kind man did not hold it amiss that the silly girls wore their flipflops. Perhaps the rest of us should relax a little as well?
Manolo, you are correct of course, ideally.
July 20th, 2005 at 4:12 am
We shouldn’t judge the girls too harshly. They seem to have made an effort to put on presentable, non-Paris Hilton-inspired summer outfits, albeit less dressy than one would have desired. It’s the adults in their lives who should be flogged. Where were their coaches? I sighed a couple of years ago when my otherwise lovely then-18-year-old niece showed up in flip-flops at her grandfather’s funeral. I didn’t want to reprimand her on this sad occasion, but I did want to wring the neck of her father, my brother.
I blame Los Angeles, my home town and Manolo’s. Some years ago the film people, some of them beautiful, others not so beautiful but wealthy, set the bad example of showing up in expensive restaurants in sweatshirts, jeans, sneakers, and other inappropriate attire. The trend spread across the country, and it meant the end of dress codes at most restaurants, which wanted to stay in business.
Fortunately, the trend toward ostentatious informality in the wrong places may be coming to an end. Many businesses have put a stop to “casual Friday,” not only because well-fed corporate lawyers in turtlenecks tend to look like beached walruses, but because of some of the stuff their employees were wearing to work.
The only thing to do is to set a good example and enforce standards whenever possible. Patronize and encourage the few remaining restaurants that have dress codes. On a getaway weekend in New Orleans last summer, my husband and I discovered that we had a far better time at Antoine’s and other old-fashioned restaurants that force men to wear jackets; at those places we dined among actual New Orleans residents instead of mobs of our fellow tourists. One night we did make the mistake of choosing a non-dress-code joint. The female patrons looked all right–but the men! The untucked shirts, the baseball caps, the hairy legs and/or knobby knees displayed by the shorts, and the hobbit-like feet in the flip-flops and the slides! Ayyyyy!
July 20th, 2005 at 6:31 am
Several of my friends received the same honor several years ago when the Princeton’s women’s lacrosse team won the NCAA championship. To my knowledge, none of the team wore flip-flops - this has nothing to do with being rich because Lord knows they certainly were. I believe Lisa said it best: appropriateness. I’m not even 22 and I wouldn’t dream of wearing flip-flops to something like that.
July 20th, 2005 at 7:25 am
I agree - no flip-flops in the White House! Or for any formal occasion.
But - for those complaining about those of us who wear the flip-flops in DC on our way to and from work - have you really tried walking these streets in cute shoes? Because I have. And the people in this town are RUDE. They don’t seem to get that when I am being all cute in a pair of 3 inch heels that I cannot walk on the side of the sidewalk that has the grates. The heel of my shoe will get caught and I will break my ankle. Yet, they continue to lope along like I’m not there in my cute shoes…Have you seen the very ugly brick work on 18th street where you cross over K? Try that in a pair of heels. I dare you.
If I were just quickly crossing the street from metro station to office, I would not wear my flips. But, I have a 3 block walk cluttered with rude people who bob and weave all over the sidewalk and will run you over with the suitcase on wheels they feel they need to make it through a day at work. So, I wear flips. I assure you, the minute I get into my office, I change into my heels and look cute all day. If I go out after work, the cute shoes stay on.
July 20th, 2005 at 8:57 am
The flip-flops have come home to roost. The pornograhpy of the Bush White House is now reflected by the unmanicured feet of the bourgeois —– wait…. Scratch all that. It was a lacross team from Northwestern. Surely we can cut a few amazon ivy leaguers —- the Hillary Clintons’ and Lucy Lawlesses of tomorrow, just a little bit of slack, as they forge their adult identities amidst the harmonized cylces of the locker room…….a few flip flops are a small price to pay for the greatness that awaits….
July 20th, 2005 at 9:31 am
Oh Cosmo, how your comment made me laugh. I agree that the furor that has erupted over the women in the flip-flops around town in DC has really cracked me up. Even The Post (ok, it was the style section, but still…) has commented on the scourge of the flip-flop.
I can only believe that it is the men and the women who are chaufured around town in a black sedan car and that are not required to walk to the metro or from their car (which is parked in another zip code) who are complaining about this awful shoe. Totally inapropreate for the office? Yes. But with a pair that is well maintained (no frayed edges or toe prints people!) I don’t really see what all the fuss is about. Especially when there are so many other fashion issues we should be complaining about (The fluffy mini!! Ayyyyy!!!)
July 20th, 2005 at 9:33 am
Ayyyyy!!!!
July 20th, 2005 at 9:51 am
Reply to Cosmo re: Washington DC streets
I know what you mean about the mean streets of DC–the brick, the gratings, and the rude people who don’t accommodate your need to navigate carefully in order not to fall while wearing 3-inch heels. I wish we’d get away from the quaintness of brick and just return to good-old concrete for the sidewalks.
But seriously, do flip-flops really give you good arch support for walking to work? I recently bought some wonderful sport shoes: Privo by Clarks Leather and Mesh Slip-On Women’s - Zombie from QVC, and they are way cuter than flip-flops and much better for you.
July 20th, 2005 at 10:09 am
Oh, Kitty, your anecdote about the wedding made me remember this website, where, shockingly, one can buy flip flops TO WEAR AT ONE’S OWN WEDDING.
http://www.myglassslipper.com/products.cfm?dept=FLIP%20FLOPS&nav_chooser=category&Redirect=0.6645491
Is it just me, or is this seriously, seriously messed up?
July 20th, 2005 at 10:11 am
Has anyone noticed as well that the outfits selected by these young women are uniformly ick-worthy as well? The baggy yellow shirt, the many exposed upper arms (a light sweater or shrug is only appropriate once you are over age 14, ladies), the fluffy blue skirt… AUGH. My eyes. Whatever happened to lovely summer dresses? Or, even, a nicely tailored pants ensemble? These girls look more like they’re ready for a casual date with a boy wearing a Clash shirt and cargo pants than gracing the White House (despite its current despicable resident) with their presence.
July 20th, 2005 at 10:21 am
How embarassing. That’s my school and I was in class with one of the lacrosse team members.
July 20th, 2005 at 10:33 am
Oh, I want to add something else. It’s true the girls go to a top-tier school, but they’re not all wealthy (at least, I’m not) and they’re all young, so cut them some slack for not dressing in haute couture. At least they’re not wearing cut offs or shorts.
July 20th, 2005 at 10:42 am
$1.40:
Since when is Northwestern an Ivy League school? It’s not even one of the Seven Sisters
July 20th, 2005 at 12:08 pm
I hate, hate, hate business casual. It has become business slob where I work. I refuse to participate. I wear a suit, hose and heels to work every day. Let the rest dress like slobs. They make me look all the better. I am here to work, not to be casual.
And yes — I hear the sound of the slapping soles all day long. These people have no raising.
July 20th, 2005 at 12:20 pm
dressing nicely doesn’t mean having to dress in haute couture or even designer brands. Poor or rich or middle class, even Payless sells decent looking pumps or heels.
July 20th, 2005 at 1:26 pm
You know, just as a note, the girls have said now that in the face of the fuss they are going to auction off the controversial shoes and give the money to a little girl with a brain tumor. http://www.kfoxtv.com/irresistible/4737036/detail.html
July 20th, 2005 at 1:42 pm
flippyfloppy, I agree the clothing choices left a bit to be desired, but they are, for the most part, acceptable (IMO, and the flipflops notwithstanding) for an informal afternoon reception…especially with the 90+ degree temps, coupled with the 90+ percent humidity we in Washington have been dealing with for the last week or so.
I agree business casual has become go-to-work-dressed-like-a-slob to some. I work at a huuuge company where “business casual” is the dress code, and I always make sure to have on a collared shirt with leather shoes. The younger girls (assistants, for the most part) & female associates fresh out of school wear flip-flops almost exclusively, and seemingly have no sense as to what is appropriate clothing…not to mention what is *attractive* clothing. Management, both male and female, are coming in wearing shorts and sandals. Fortunately, they are, for the most part, putting on a polo shirt, but still. It’s absolutely disgraceful.
July 20th, 2005 at 1:48 pm
One final note–Sir, I believe you’ve disparaged GQ magazine in the past. I subscribed many years ago (and I’ve recently resubscribed). There is something missing that I remember from the GQ if my youth (and I mean that litterally), but I can safely say those mid-80’s issues taught me the classic style that looks so very quaint these days.
However, you’re correct to look down on GQ these days. The new editorial team doesn’t have the eye for the classic fashion that is still so very stylish.
July 20th, 2005 at 2:58 pm
“the rachel, she would wear flipflops, sweatpants, and a do-rag were she in the company of the dubya, as she holds the dubya in such base regard that she does not believe that he is worthy of her tailored dress, tahitian pearls, and tasteful shoes.”
Much as I agree with this statement with respect to W, himself, I believe the White House, and the office of President was there long before Mr. W, and will be there long after Mr. W. As such, it would have been nice had they shown the office of President, and the White House, a little more respect. They just had the unfortunate timing of winning their championship when the Shrub was in office.
July 20th, 2005 at 5:08 pm
Dale Carnegie said that the only way to get someone to do something is to make him want to do it. Here are some reasons for wearing classic, modest clothes in general and professional clothing at work. Perhaps these reasons could effect a change in the way our young women friends dress.
Modest, classic clothing in general:
1. Classic clothing worn in a photo today will look nice 20 years from now. Flip-flops, camisoles and hip-huggers will someday go the way of big hair and jump suits.
2. Although you may find it uncomfortable or hot, there are those who will feel more comfortable around you. Though they may not say anything, they’re uncomfortable around girls whose tops are slit to the midriff and feel disrespected by those who do not dress to meet the occasion.
3. Others may shower a provocatively dressed woman with attention, but they’ll laugh at her the minute her back is turned.
Professional Attire at Work:
4. You’re ready for anything. No need to worry about when the man or the big client is going to be around.
5. Good business clothes wear better and stay in style longer than cheap, trendy clothes. You should be able to wear them for years.
6. The woven fabric skims over bulges and figure flaws, helping you keep your slim look after your varsity days are over.
7. Being taken more seriously by your superiors. Professional attire makes you look like you’re there to work. Casual attire makes you look like you’re there to collect a paycheck. Sexy or flamboyant attire makes you look like you’re there because you’ve nowhere else to go.
8. Being taken more seriously by coworkers and clients. You’re less likely to have to assert your authority nine ways to Sunday when you look like a professional.
9. It raises your work ethic. Casual clothes tend to induce a casual attitude; business clothes give you a little lift.
July 20th, 2005 at 7:00 pm
Lori, that was absolutely fabulous. Cheers!
July 20th, 2005 at 9:06 pm
What Lori said. Especially the items about work. Wish I could print this out and distribute to our department.
July 21st, 2005 at 1:31 am
who cares? it’s Bush, who has daughters who get drunk in public and appear at court hearings looking much worse than the white house tourists.
July 21st, 2005 at 6:36 am
Go, Lori!
July 21st, 2005 at 9:21 am
I couldn’t agree with you more. But, since I am writing this in 90 degree plus heat, all I can think about is the torture of pantyhose in this weather. But I do it, I do it.
July 21st, 2005 at 2:57 pm
Lori, that was BRILLIANT! And it does not have to be expensive to dress professionally at work. I myself get many of my elegant suits for under $50 at the Bay of the e.
July 23rd, 2005 at 8:19 pm
Doesn’t the White House have a chief of protocol anymore, someone who might clue in clueless coeds (heh) about what is and isn’t appropriate to wear in a photo op with the President? I’m surprised they even made it past the front door in those things. Let’s face it — people are stupid and lazy, and they’ll wear what they think they can get away with, even if it’s to meet the leader of the free world (and I use that term loosely).
That said, the only time flip-flops would be appropriate footwear for a bride is if she’s getting married where the surf might lap her toes (and even Renee Zellweger and Jennifer Garner wore shoes for their weddings on the beach, for God’s sake).
July 26th, 2005 at 7:39 am
I must point out (late to this party, I know) that in some places, it is entirely acceptable to wear Hawaiian shirts to work and funerals. That place being, namely, Hawaii. Or Guam. Or probably any tropical island (Tahiti, Cuba, etc.) Business wear in Hawaii is aloha wear and Hawaiian shirts are almost like a work uniform - except multi-colored and not identical (and not garish, thank you). Slippers (what you all call flip-flops) are not considered appropriate for business wear, being a casual thing. Of course, shorts, tee shirt and slippers are almost required for casual wear in Hawaii, but that’s part of life in the islands.
As for the slippers this transplanted islander sees on tootsies walking DC streets, I assume (hope) that those folks are changing to appropriate wear at the office, but I don’t understand how they find those things comfortable or supportive on urban streets. I can’t stand to wear them for more than a trip to the grocery store. But my biggest complaint about slippers: if you’re going to wear them, at least buy a better pair than the cheap, $3.99 drugstore slip-on-wet-Metro-tiles shoes. Please.
July 27th, 2005 at 7:03 am
I take a different route. I think anyone focusing on something like flip-flops is missing the bigger picture. I bet the president didn’t even notice. If their behavior was polite and respectful and they weren’t wearing them to “prove a point” then so what? It’s like people who are upset about jeans in church. There was a time when I could afford no new clothes and I only had my teen wardrobe even though I was married. I was looked down upon by some in church for wearing jeans. I’ts not the clothes, it’s the person. Just my two cents. ;-)
Not directed to you of course, just in general…
July 31st, 2005 at 11:53 pm
I’ve been bitching about this since 2002:
http://bitter-girl.com/movable/archives/001234.html
The flip flops, they must be stopped!
August 10th, 2005 at 5:39 pm
Uhh…I wouldnt wear my 99cent pick and save rubber thongs to meet the president. I would wear my stiletto mules with my highball of brandy and my leopard print cowboy hat.
October 13th, 2005 at 8:59 am
I wouldn’t be caught dead in flip-flops, yet they are ubiquitous in California. The saddest trend, however, is that on a recent trip back to New York City, people were wearing them everywhere I went. Come on Manhattanites! You’re better than this.
February 2nd, 2006 at 9:30 am
Now, we wear the flip-flops and the shirts of the Hawaiians to the church, and to the funerals, and to meet the Mr. President in the House of Whiteness”…indeed..and you should see what juries wear to court - it’s shameful.
February 3rd, 2006 at 5:01 am
Dearest Manolo:
I agree but for one thing, the man who is now in the house of Whiteness, he deserves to be greeted in the flip flops. I would not subject any of my fabulous shoes to his gaze were I to enter the house of Whiteness. Indeed, I would wear the ugliest shoes possible-perhaps the Valenki.
February 5th, 2006 at 9:45 pm
Lori good points.Between the fashion magazines sending out mixed messages nowadays,all the fault can’t be placed on these young ladies.As much as I disdain flip flops for dress,I believe Birkenstocks are much worse!That shoe just screams ugly!why any women with any pride where such crap is a puzzle to me.They look to much like the stuff hippies would wear!I agree Manolo it is time for fashion appropiateness to return again.