Why I dress up.............

[Bob Wright]

On Sunday mornings I put on a shirt and tie, shined boots, and "Sunday go-to-meeting-clothes. Some folks chide me for that, even sort of make fun of me.

My mother taught me when I was very young you dress according to the respect you show for that institution, and the reflection you have on your parental upbringing. Mother emphasized that even if I have no respect for my own appearance, I should respect my parents. And my Bible says "Honor thy father and mother....."

If I were to go into a court of law, I would dress up out of respect for that court. I may have no respect for the judge or the members of that court, but of the court itself, it is due all respect. Courts are instituted for Everyman to have his say, to plead his case if necessary, and to make his position known. Our legal system was outlined by our forefathers and carefully established. It is to me a hallowed institution.

I dress up to attend funerals. My presence is tribute to the life of the deceased, and that life deserves all honor due it. I represent not only myself, but my family in most cases. I'll not embarrass my family, or my family's memory, by looking shabby.

I dress up to attend weddings. Usually the wedding party are friends of mine, and honored friends deserve looking my very best.

I dress up to go to church. My church represents the House of the LORD, a house of prayer and devotion. I am in the presence of the Great God of the Universe, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

I'll dress up.

Bob Wright

 

[yooper1]

......
If I were to go into a court of law, I would dress up out of respect for that court. I may have no respect for the judge or the members of that court, but of the court itself, it is due all respect. Courts are instituted for Everyman to have his say, to plead his case if necessary, and to make his position known. Our legal system was outlined by our forefathers and carefully established. It is to me a hallowed institution.
........
Bob Wright

I agree on all you said.

But, on the point about courts.

I was called in for jury duty 2 months ago. I got out a pair of dress pants, a long sleeve white with blue pinstripes button down shirt, dress shoes, a new (er) belt, and a clean white t-shirt that would not clash if seen through my shirt, and a clean neat jacket.

I get to the courthouse and ended up waiting for about 25 people who were called and either kept or dismissed before they called me.

Some of those 25 or so people ahead of me had: flip flops on their feet; pajama pants; dirty ,with ACTUAL stains, sweat pants; 2 had shorts; about 30 % of them had god awful ugly tattoos over their arms, necks and a guy even had them all over his bald scalp; those same 30% or so just looked "dirty" and unwashed; (could not see too much under their heavy winter jackets to see shirts / blouses though).

but, come on, you are in a courtroom for cripes sake!

Have some pride and respect.

Others were dressed similar to me with some ladies in nice dresses and clean looking and some guys in shirts and ties. Most of the "normal appearing" ones were in a "business casual" wardrobe if not suit and tie stuff.

and all that only to be dismissed cuz I knew the Prosecutor and possibly my work history at the P.D. here in town.

 

[AJGUNNER]

Could you even imagine if this same lesson was taught to every kid in school at a young age. Our world would probably look a bit different, not to mention there just might be a bit more respect in general across the board.

 

[Don Lovel]

As the son of a Judge, I promise you, how you appear in court and decorum of respect does impact the outcome of your case when he was active on the bench

 

[AJGUNNER]

As the son of a Judge, I promise you, how you appear in court and decorum of respect does impact the outcome of your case when he was active on the bench

As it should. If you have little or no self respect, it is doubtful that you would have any respect for the law.

 

[Poco Oso]

You're a true southern gentleman Bob. I was taught to dress for the occasion. This shows not only respect for those you will be with, but respect for yourself too. This seems to be another tradition that has fallen by the wayside. what a shame.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

And those were the folks that could have wound up on a jury trying a case against you.

Scary, isn't it?!

:shock: :shock: :shock:

 

[yooper1]

Yes, very scary!

I should have added that it appeared as if the dirt bag on trial's attorney voted to keep those odd ones. Go figure.

 

[bogus bill]

I am coming up on 77 so I must be near Bob`s age group. I also was brought up in church in the era most people dressed up. I wont say I enjoyed wearing a tie or suit or sports coat in the summer in church that had no air conditioning. What gets me now days even the preachers seldom wear suits and tie`s in the churchs I attend around here but this is cowboy country and the churchs are small fourty people or so. I seldom dress up myself but usually wear the best I have handy. I no longer have regular suits, but might wear a pendleton shirt and slacks. Maybe a western cut sport coat. I have always hated bow ties. Of course I used to dress up if I had to go to court. I dont even own a regular suite anymore.

 

[Jeepnik]

I tell folks I'll wear a suit and tie for three reasons. Marry ya, bury ya and baptize ya (obviously this includes any reason to attend church). While not quite Bob's age, I too was taught that appropriate dress is a sign of respect.

 

[blackhawknj]

I read a true crime book that described a designer leisure suit as "South Philly Formal."
Given how fashions have changed over the years, one generation's "casual" is another era's "formal/business attire". What we think of as "coat and tie" was originally-a "sports jacket." When was the last time you saw a man wearing a frock coat ? Look how dress hats have been out of fashion since the 1950s. And the old cowboy who went to church...? A lot of churches are more concerned with people showing up than how they are dressed.
Ken Lay was know for his penchant for fine clothes, French cuffs-we all know the savvy businessman he turned out to be. John Gotti-the "Dapper Don", remember ?
Old soldier that I am, I know the value of eyewash. In my day-the Garrett Trooper. Starched and tailored fatigues, spit shined boots, chromed helmet, ascot, etc. Performed no useful functions, never in the field, on Guard Duty or KP.

 

[phonejack]

I dress up for those occasions also. When it comes to church worship, I take the view that casual dress reflects casual attitude towards worship. That's not me.

 

[Coop]

Oh boy, did this ever open up a "can of 'dressing up' memories" in my life.

As a grammar school kid in Wilmington, DE, I remember being made to dress up when going to the doctor's or dentist's office, including a tie. This would be in the mid-1950's. Whenever we kids were taken downtown, we always had to get dressed up. No dungarees and no tennis shoes. I remember one specific time I was taken into the local John Wannamaker Department store for a new suit for Christmas. I was dressed in a full suit and tie, shined shoes, etc. We walked into the store front and encountered this beautiful bubbling fountain. I went over to get a cold drink and discovered it was a Christmas perfumed water display - Uggg!

Onto college - New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, NJ. Coat and ties was the mandatory dress code for all classrooms and lecture halls. Chemistry and Physics labs were blue jeans and tennis shoes.

Off to California - Plant engineer (hardhat and blue jeans - an occasional jacket and tie for court appearances as an expert witness). Then it was there I learned about contemporary church worship, guitar music, and blue jeans, denim shirts, and cowboy boots for RC mass. Cool. Did that for many years.

Back to Pittsburgh and three piece suits, working for a large Pittsburgh corporation until 2000. Nowadays, I only get dressed up for Cowboy Action Shooting Match competitions. Otherwise I dress with blue jeans, cotton shirt, and my beloved Teva sandals (with socks - I am old ya' know).

 

[Jeepnik]

I read a true crime book that described a designer leisure suit as "South Philly Formal."
Given how fashions have changed over the years, one generation's "casual" is another era's "formal/business attire". What we think of as "coat and tie" was originally-a "sports jacket." When was the last time you saw a man wearing a frock coat ? Look how dress hats have been out of fashion since the 1950s. And the old cowboy who went to church...? A lot of churches are more concerned with people showing up than how they are dressed.
Ken Lay was know for his penchant for fine clothes, French cuffs-we all know the savvy businessman he turned out to be. John Gotti-the "Dapper Don", remember ?
Old soldier that I am, I know the value of eyewash. In my day-the Garrett Trooper. Starched and tailored fatigues, spit shined boots, chromed helmet, ascot, etc. Performed no useful functions, never in the field, on Guard Duty or KP.

Barry Sadler had a pretty good song about "Garrett Troopers".

I knew a couple of pilots that fit that description. But, those that flew and fought outnumbered them by legions.

 

[Valmet]

I'm not a churchgoer and have never been a defendant in court but on the occasion that I am in church or in a courtroom, I make sure to dress in a coat and tie, or a suit. It never ceases to amaze me how casually people treat places like this.

 

[Kevin]

I have to dress professionally for work. So does sweetie, but she spends a lot more on clothing than I do. Her excuse to go shopping is work. Which is fine, boots and dress attire for her.

One reason we enrolled our daughter in private school is the dress code. Not only to instill a sense of how to dress appropriately in her; but to also combat the school age problems of not being dressed properly.

 

[Rei40c]

I'm one who complains about having to wear a suit. But once I get it on and I feel I look good. I feel better about myself. It changes my behavior and I feel better about myself. I stand just a bit straighter.

 

[Bob Wright]

On Sunday mornings, my Dad would dress up in his (one) suit with white shirt and necktie. Then he would carefully place his tortoise shell fountain pen in the breast pocket of his coat. He straightened his back, stood tall, smoothed his coat, then looked in the mirror and announced to anyone within earshot, "This is Mister Wright."

Bob Wright

 

[Mus408]

Went to Catholic school from 1-12 and it was white shirts and ties and later suit coats.

Nowdays I do anything to stay in comfort and not a suit unless attending a wedding or funeral!

 

[Fox Mike]

I have always felt that God wouldn't judge me by my clothing and felt if you were a good Christian you shouldn't either. I don't attend church to impress anyone; the only reason is to give thanks and worship the Lord.