Michelle Miles: The Slobs of America & Haute Obscure

I was watching a CBS Sunday Morning episode a few weeks ago and they had a spot about how America has turned into a bunch of slobs. I admit I was riveted to the piece because I couldn’t agree more. When did it become okay to wear pajamas and slippers to the grocery store? Or ripped up jeans?

And, along the same lines, there was a photo posted on Facebook of a woman wearing jeans that looked like they’d gone through a paper shredder. I think the comment was something along the lines of how silly she looked and how “fashion went wrong.” The woman also wore one of those tank tops with her bra straps hanging out.

This is a pet peeve of mine. I detest seeing women or girls running around in public with their bras and bra straps showing. This is not a peep show, ladies. It’s not sexy or cute. Please cover up.

And I dislike short-shorts, too. For the very obvious reasons that your butt cheeks hanging out is also NOT CUTE.

And PJs at the store? Come on.

There’s a college course at Notre Dame taught by professor of history and master dressmaker, Linda Przybyszewski, called “Nation of Slobs: The Art, Ethics and Economics of Dress in Modern America.”

The professor is quite passionate about teaching the proper form of dress and is very quietly trying to remove the slobs of America. I applaud her. I applaud that she makes every stitch of clothing she wears and that she uses vintage 1940s and 1950s patterns to do it.

I would totally take this class. I would love to see all her vintage patterns.

 

I’m not saying we should never leave the house without a hat and gloves. Remember when girls wore those? But maybe put in a little effort? One of the college girls on the show said she laughed when she saw a fellow student in the dining hall wearing PJs…and makeup. So the girl had time to put on makeup but NOT actual, real clothes?

I have another fashion pet peeve: flip-flops. I love mine as much as most people. But at the beach. Or watering the yard. Not in the office. I work in a fairly business casual (sometimes that’s stretching it) office and 90 percent of the women who work there wear flip-flops. Just cuz they have bling on them doesn’t make them appropriate. And the attire? Sometimes I want to ask these women if they were planning to go the disco after work. And clogs. Don’t get me started. They are NOT office appropriate.

Granted, I don’t dress up like I used to. I don’t wear skirts as much as I should. And I’ve all but abandoned the idea of 4-inch heels. My feet just can’t take it anymore.

My point is – can we go back to simple dressing? Something that isn’t PJs or holey clothes or bra straps hanging out? Wearing appropriate foot attire?

Can you tell it eats at me?

And while I’m on the subject of fashion…I was browsing Dictionary.Com’s app the other day and ran across “Haute Obscure: 8 Terms for Fashions Gone Extinct.” I laughed at some of the fashions but then found myself longing for a gown with a bustle. And a parasol. And gloves.

Let’s play a game. Let’s see if you can match the word with the definition. If you get anywhere from 6 out of 8 to 8 out of 8 right, I will give you a copy of any of my backlist in ebook. :)

Match the Word with the Definition

Example: 1 – A; 2 – B etc (these are NOT the answers, merely an example)

1. Pannier

2. Bustle

3. Merry Widow

4. Jabot

5. Houppelande

6. Wimple

7. Hennin

8. Hobble Skirt

A. Elaborately decorated hats

B. A garment covering the neck and chin worm by women throughout medieval Europe as a sign of modesty

C. A long skirt that emerged toward the end of the Edwardian era that was so narrow at the bottom, the wearer had to walk with short, mincing steps

D. A long robe or tunic with billowing sleeves and often trimmed or lined with fur

E. A decorative burst of lace or ruffles around the neck. Worn by pirates. ARRRRGH!

F. To achieve a dramatic hourglass figure of a corseted waist and fullness at hips, women began padding the banks of their skirts with THIS rather than the sides

G. An oval framework made of whalebone or cane worn under the skirt to achieve a mile-wide silhouette.

H. A pointy hat worn by European noblewomen in the Middle Ages

Michelle Miles writes contemporary, paranormal and fantasy romance for Ellora's Cave and Samhain Publishing. She hates exposed bra straps and flip flops in the office environment. For more information about her books, visit her website.