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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

What Lori said. Especially the items about work. Wish I could print this out and distribute to our department.

Go, Lori!

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.

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.

I’ve been bitching about this since 2002:

http://bitter-girl.com/movable/archives/001234.html

The flip flops, they must be stopped!

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.

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.