Why do a lot of Americans dress sloppy?
It's always been my opinion as an American, and recently, some German exchange students said they thought the same.
Like they said they would never wear oversized t-shirts in public. They don't wear jeans everyday. No sneakers. No hoodies/zip up jackets. No bubble coats or sweat pants.
I completely agree. I think it looks trashy. And these kids weren't rich. They were middle class. But they care about image. They wore leather jackets, skinny jeans, flats/fashion sneakers, had nice hairstyles, fitted t-shirts, none of them were out of shape, their makeup was always nice and natural.
They always had cute accessories, etc.
Why don't Americans care more about what they look like? I see girls all the time at school with their hair in a sloppy bun knot on top of their heads, and oversized t-shirt advertising some event, sweat pants/jeans, and flip flops. Why?
Don't give me the "comfortable" excuse. I dress up everyday and I'm still comfortable.
Comments
Quoting the classic James Bond, "Red wine with fish. Now that should have told me something."
He was referring to someone pretending to be an english gentleman but ordered fish with red wine. It is silly little things like that that set apart people with class and people without class. Pairing foods with the right wines, bringing over a gift to a party (a bottle of wine, flowers, candles, or even just a 6 pac of beer or soda if your going to a normal party), speaking without the use of slang, and dressing decent. These are not difficult things to do! Wearing a collared shirt or a nice shirt (sports shirt, nice v-necks that were not purchased at target, designer shirts) to school is great. It shows a level of respect for school that your teachers and fellow students appreciate. A decent haircut is also great. A $12 haircut from greatclips once a month keeps your hair clean and trimmed.
Now, flipflops... I wear flipflops on a daily basis. But I go to college in California where the fashion rules are bent. But they are not target flip flops; they are nice leather flip flops.
People's lack of class permeates to semi and formal events. I am going to use this example. Once my girlfriend invited me to a graduation for her internship. she said formal. I thought it was odd. So, I took out my tuxedo and told her. she got all mad and said I was trying to out-do her. She said formal... Formal means black tie. She didn't know that. Her version of formal is a shirt and tie (which is a huge no-no as it makes you look like a 7 year old at a wedding or a manager at radio shack). She was raised in a typical American household so she has no idea of dress code.
Whenever I travel to europe, I feel ashamed to be lumped into a group of fat americans who spend their time eating at different mcdonalds. I see it all the time. When people know I am an American, they assume that I am like them (I surprise them by eating and drinking right, dressing respectfully, and speaking french).
I have traveled to Europe and to the a few countries in Asia and I don't see a huge difference. However, I will say for sure that I would never make a prejudgement on a person based upon their dress. For example, that girl in the messy bun...100% that is the style. Her t-shirt may be promoting a fundraiser or supporting a cause; my daughter wears t-shirts that promote charitable foundations all the time. If they gave her a size too large in the last walk she did, so be it.
I was at a water park the other day and a Middle Eastern woman was wearing one of those huge, long black dresses with the part that covered her head. She was in the water with her small child, laughing and having fun. My daughter, who was wearing a bikini with likely a messy bun, leaned over to me to tell me she'd heard some other people making fun of the woman for going in the water with her "stinky dress"...the people talking were from an European country...I will not identify it cause it does not matter. The point is my daughter was offended and said how great it was that the woman could feel free to honor her culture in her dress style and still participate in the fun. She ended off with, "I love America." So do I. Start listening to what people say and not judging them on clothing.
Some are poorer. For some thats just their style. For some its just because they woke up late. Everyone is different and should be respected. You got 2 Germans opinions, try all of Germany and see if you get the same answer.
To be sincere, the Brits are alternatively boring in the way they dress. The French understand find out how to costume - and i'm no longer being bias like you given that i'm neither French, American or British
A thousand pardons old boy, we won't let it happen again. We didn't know you were looking and you caught us on laundry day. Our suit was at the cleaners. There was an earthquake...a terrible flood....LOCUSTS. IT'S NOT OUR FAULT. WE ARE FANCY!!! If you need me, I'll be sipping tea out on the terrace in my coat and tie.
Why do you care? Lol. And I thought Germans were nice!
deflate your ego and get off your high horse..... as long as it its clean and does not stink... and is within the legal definition of "moral".. why should you give a rip?....... shove your elitist BS back up where it came from