From: blockedofcourse@foo.invalid   
      
   On 11/10/2025 5:44 PM, DJ Delorie wrote:   
   > Don Y  writes:   
   >> I don't recall any engineers wearing shirt&tie when I worked in   
   >> New England.   
   >   
   > I did, but that was back in the 80's when I was new to the industry and   
   > trying to make a good impression.  It didn't last.   
      
   I've had an "issue" with clothing and "fashion" since before I   
   can remember!   
      
   "Wide lapels are IN.  Wide lapels are OUT!  Wear your hair like   
   THIS.  Wear it like THAT.  No white after labor day.  'Brown   
   shoes don't make it'.  etc."   
      
   When I was a kid, I had white socks with two colored stripes   
   above the ankle.  One pair might be red and green.  The next,   
   blue and black.  Then red and black.  And...   
      
   So, sorting socks was far more complicated than just having   
   SOLID colors!   
      
   Then, I learned the problem of "Is this NAVY?  Or, BLACK?"   
      
   I started wearing cowboy boots so the COLOR of my socks was no   
   longer an issue!   
      
   And, Bell Bottoms (sailor's pants) to make wearing the boots easier!   
      
   "Tuck your shirt in!"  -- Why?  It's just going to slip out next   
   time I bend, stretch, etc.   
      
   And, keeping track of which shirts match which pants...   
      
   And, when was the last time I wore THIS "outfit" (will people   
   notice?? OhMiGosh!)   
      
   Now, everything is simpler.  All socks are white.  No shirts that   
   need to be tucked in.  All shirts identical so no concern over   
   WHICH to wear.  Two identical pair of shoes in different colors   
   (plus two more spare pairs for when those need to be discarded...   
   why waste time shopping for shoes AGAIN??). etc.   
      
   [E.g., when neighbors visit, I don't rush to find pants to   
   "cover myself" as if I was ashamed of the skin I wear.  Nothing   
   is exposed that *shouldn't* be.  Or, that wouldn't be if I was   
   swimming in a pool.  Likewise, walking into a neighbor's home   
   to find her in a bra and panties (how is that different than   
   seeing her SWIMMING in a bikini??)]   
      
   Clothes are an issue for people who don't have enough to think about!   
      
   And prudes.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)