Why does each new generation seem to dress more casually, even at formal events?

[MissSunshine2]

I found that my generation dresses up more than the current young generation. They wear lots of baggy gym clothes all the time, even when they can afford to dress better.

I’m wondering if one day, people won’t even have formal weddings anymore.

[Zack-Bann]

Because dress codes were always associated with the ideology of the current governing body


Basically, in times of kingdoms and courts there was a dress code enforceable by crime and punishment


The practice was inherited by modern democratic societies but as time goes on the change the rules and expectations more and more to control less


So once the generation of “dressing up” dies out.
The new ones will be “dressing down” more and more


It’s sad but also a sign of the times

[OlderAndWiser]

Every generation wants to think that they have unlocked heretofore unknown secrets, evolved in ways that are truly important, and have the courage to demonstrate their evolved nature. . . but all they really want to do is to be different. . . just like everyone else!

[Massageman]

the irony of that "similar difference"

[OlderAndWiser]

Thanks for MHO!

[Levin]

I went to a wedding reception last weekend. I felt uncomfortable, the clothes were stiff and awful. Life is too short for that bullshit. Plus it's always associated with power and work structures which have shown themselves to be fairly corrupt, most of the time. As Bob Dylan said, success is doing what you want to do from waking to sleeping. It's not sucking corporate cock all day in a fusty uniform.

[OneViewpoint]

Styles and norms change over time. People used to dress in rags and animal skins. Woman used to wear bustle dresses and were forbidden to show any ankle. It got formal and fashionable in the 1950's. It got positively sandals and bell bottom jeans casual in the 1960's Hippie culture. It got "business casual" in the early 2000's. It got "work from home casual" during Covid-19. Wait a few years. It'll change again.

[beefcakebradybatson]

We had a children's formal wear store called Little Lords and Little Ladies which stocked suits and ties for lads and dresses for lasses, as even children dressed up for church, weddings, funerals, etc. when I was a boy and younger man. This store closed 10-15 years ago because children, like their elders, are almost always in casual if not schlubby clothes.

[Snakeyes7]

I wish I can dress more formally but a suit costs an arm and a leg nowadays.

I once saw Steve Harvey talking on the set of Family Feud, I think, and he suggested thay every man have like five different colored suits with pants to match. To buy all that is like putting a down payment on a house.

[NoDecision]

Because, with the economies our elected officials are screwing up, we can't afford to dress nice.

[DonaldDarko]

It's a dumb class struggle theme that popped up decades ago. They want to identify with the poor and the workers. It just ended up with people looking like stupid slobs more and more as time went on.

[Kelley1]

In the past, you were defined by the clothes you could afford to buy. Now, since most people can afford expensive looking clothes. that is no longer the case.

[RandomGirl42]

I think some of the older fashions are just plain silly. Like, why does a piece of cloth around your neck make you more formal? I'm gonna' get married in my pink, flannel jammies! 😊

[Staximus]

Pajamas are for wearing at home. Being cute is not a valid excuse for dressing like a bum

[GophukUrcelfTwice]

The "new generation" has their heads so far up their asses they can't tell which way is up. They are not held accountable for their actions. So, they do as they please, never bothering to think about how it affects those around them. They are not taught anything that comes close to etiquette or manners. They learn nothing but, sticking their noses in their devices. Why do they dress like they're pig farmers? It's because... You can get ass out of class but, you can't get class out of an ass.

[bingbongbangbung]

The elderly have been complaining about the youth being rude for thousands of years

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

Maybe it’s because they’re teenagers who don’t care?

[LC75LC71]

Liberally would be a better term, but anyway it goes towards laziness. Self important shitheads that ironically spend lees time on their actual selves and a whole lot more talking.

[jamesgoldman]

Because they have less respect, I'm an old man so I'll done a three piece suit, a silk tie and precious metal cufflinks, tie slide and even collar stays

[sage2021]

I guess they have a lot of class - but it's all low class.

[Telekinetic-Potato]

Because status is slowly being measured differently now.

[MrChinaski]

Because tech-bros rule the world.

Fashion is cyclical. Don't stress.

[Massageman]

Degenerating respect for - well- darn near everything.

[AgentG111]

It's also going to depend on location and upbringing and if an event has a dress code.

[thegreenyogi]

Just a sign of the times I guess.

[Bklynbadboy12]

There just wearing what they're comfortable in

[jahaims]

Planned degeneration

[RedInnocent69]

COVID