[eagle2250]

It depends where you live and what you do. America is still largely a frontier country in mindset and people value practically over peacocking. It's slightly different in Europe and other places where people rightly or wrongly have more tradition of dressing up all the time. I notice that in large, international cities there are plenty of well dressed people. Well dressed does not always mean a tie. I like that there has been an explosion in sport coats and blazers of varying descriptions and soft tailoring, it's a style I like and I ascribe to personally.

Better a well put together semi-casual outfit than a bad suit and tie in my view.

LOL. Speaking as one of the more '*******' colonials, to be found in this "frontier country" to which you refer,I am inclined to agree with much of what you say. However, I would argue one possible point...if one had a sense of style sufficient to cobble together "a well put together semi-casual outfit," would they not also possess the sartorial finesse to also select a stylish, well fitted suit to wear?

 

[Natsoi]

LOL. Speaking as one of the more '*******' colonials, to be found in this "frontier country" to which you refer,I am inclined to agree with much of what you say. However, I would argue one possible point...if one had a sense of style sufficient to cobble together "a well put together semi-casual outfit," would they not also possess the sartorial finesse to also select a stylish, well fitted suit to wear?

I knew this would get a reply, as a fellow colonial I'll explain myself a bit. At school I was taught about Turner's Frontier Thesis -it's really interesting and I think it explains a lot about why America is America https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontier_Thesis

In my mind when you have a place which was largely unsettled 200 years ago, where the rugged west and the cowboy are baked into the national identity why would people even want to wear these clothes? They would have been of little use to people fanning out across America in the wagon trails. Personally I think that's why the button down is so popular, certainly very practical to keep your collar looking good. I also think that's why pickups are so popular - practical, go anywhere vehicle.

It's not that surprising to me that the most dressed up and formal parts of the country are still the original settlements on the East Coast.

I don't use the term frontier country as a negative or to mean unsophisticated for me it means rugged and practical.

You can decide if that's true or not or if my study of Turner's just means I look for things to confirm my already established viewpoint whenever I'm in the US.

 

[eagle2250]

^^No offense taken, my friend...I'm not really that deep! I was just enjoying the humor of the moment, but thank you for the clarification. "Turner's Frontier Thesis" sounds very interesting.