When I was a teenager, I saw all men, with few exceptions, wearing suits.
Women, it seemed, had far more freedom in what they wore, but men were stuck in suits, and by and large still are. The closest I got to one was the Sports Jacket while teaching (almost compulsory) but apart from that I’ve never worn one.
When I was running a company I sometimes used to wear black pyjamas - very comfortable.
Hi Bainbrig. I got married in a hippy outfit 47 years ago. My son wed in recent years in casual clothes. Their invite stated to come casual because the groom certainly won't be wearing a suit and tie. We had a great time! I dont go anywhere with dress codes any more. Black pjs sounds just fine!
No. I feel I look very smart in a suit, especially with a tie but even without a tie. I always wear a suit for teaching but usually take my jacket off. I don't have leather patches on my elbows either
I cannot remember a time in my life when I have not had a suit. I rarely wear one nowadays but I would never consider going to a formal event not wearing one, always with a tie.
I feel similarly about the dress/skirt and blouse that used to be expected of women. Right from childhood I was always happier in jeans or shorts and once I no longer had to comply with a dress code that was that. For many years now, the only dresses I have owned are my wedding dress and long evening pinafore dress in crimson fine needlecord, both of which were hand made for me by my mother and which are kept as mementos.
Dave wore a suit just once in the time I knew him, on our wedding day, it transformed him, best I could manage after that was two outings for a ridiculously expensive sports jacket. I gave up he was happy in casuals.
It's predominantly casual dress these days for leisure time. I do love a man in a suit though, stands out from the crowd. I mentioned a while back a man passed me in the street in an electric blue suit, soooooo smart it turned my head.
One thing that really bugs me is men turning up at a wedding wearing jeans. Jeans are workwear/casual wear. I don't care if you paid £1000 for them, they are not smart.
I have always owned a suit since my early twenties. Always a Grey pinstripe with waistcoat except my wedding suit which was brown pinstripe with Great Gatsby brogues. Highly polished ( bulled) shoes are a must with a suit and if you don't wear a tie then you may as well not bother.
I hate sloppiness at weddings and funerals. My great nephew wore shorts,flip flops and a Hawaian shirt to my mother's funeral. I was mortified.