Clothing Items you just don't understand

[Starik20X6]

I don't understand how anyone can be seen in public (outside a beach) in thongs (or flip-flops if you prefer to call them that). Have some goddamn self respect and wear a proper pair of shoes, you slobs. The only thing worse than wearing thongs around is going out barefoot. I need to start wearing studded football shoes everywhere, so whenever I see someone walking around with exposed toes I can stomp them.

If it counts as clothing, I don't understand spacers. Whoever thought being able to fit a dick through their earlobe was a good idea was a moron. And those under-the-skin insert things are equally baffling- if you for some reason want horrifying lumps under your skin, might I suggest cancer?

I know it's not clothing, but fuck it I'm on an angry fashion rant so I'm going anyway: if you're a guy and you insist on having long hair, fucking maintain that shit. Wash your hair and keep it tidy. Don't delude yourself into thinking your greasy, stringy locks are anything but a vomit-inducing spectacle. Same goes for beards- keep that shit tidy or lose it, otherwise you look like your last meal came from a dumpster. Oh, and if you're a guy who can't grow a full beard? Please stop trying. You look like you covered your face in glue before going down on a bear.

Girls? After a certain size, they stop making short-shorts any larger. There is a reason for this. Trying to squeeze a pair of shorts on is anything but flattering to your figure; it ends up making your legs look like the division between two sausages. And I'm not saying that to be mean- I like a girl with a bit of meat on her bones. But the fact is some clothes just don't compliment certain body types.

You know what? I just don't understand anyone who doesn't take pride in their appearance. If you aren't dressed like you're going on a date, don't leave the house yet because you aren't dressed properly. Dress like each day is the day you'll be interviewed for your dream job, by your future wife/husband. If everyone did that, the world would be a much nicer looking place.

It's time to talk about fedoras. You all look terrible in them. No exceptions. People seem to think they're some kind of magic coolness device. They're not, they're just something that, for some reason, has been picked up by people on gaming forums - undoubtedly a great place for fashion advice - and labelled as 'cool'.

So much this. And you know what else I'd like to add to the "absolutely not cool, despite nerds saying otherwise"? Trench coats. Fuck trench coats. They were cool for about 6 months after the first Matrix movie came out, and subsequently they've been run into the ground so hard they're now technically considered part of Chinese territorial soil. No, you don't look cool and mysterious; you look like a fat dork. Literally any other kind of coat is cooler than a trench coat.

 

[Coppernerves]

Suits. Specifically business clothes. I don't own any, and I'll never wear them to an interview or anything. Just no chance.

You might be the best person in the world at your job. Or the worst. Sharp clothes do nothing to convince me either way. They don't inspire my confidence, that's for sure. Are you hiding something? Did your mother dress you? Who knows. I'm not crediting you a damned thing.

No amount of expert ironing of unpleasant clothes will erase the possibility from my mind that you're an inept sod who doesn't know shit about shit. So why not wear whatever makes you comfortable instead?

Doesn't matter I suppose. As long as I don't have to tag along. But with the above in mind, what's the point of them...

Hi Candidus, among others,

The use of suits to convey professionalism and ability is a Rational Astrology, and their value comes only because society believes that perception to be true and accurate. There is nothing about wearing a suit that intrinsically indicates someone's superiority or skills relative to any other piece of clothing, and considering the relative costs of clothing, it is irrational to wear them except to appease those who are irrational.

I do not personally wear suits, except to the extent forced upon me by my family at my Grandfather's funeral. I wore a shirt and dress slacks to my job interview and was still hired, though I may have been luckier than most. I would suggest to people here that if you have no driving need to appease an irrational society, you should probably avoid doing so, because you are just helping perpetuate lines of thought that do not make sense.

http://www.interfluidity.com/v2/3513.html

SVilleca

Nothing more irrational than what you just posted. A lot of people like the look of suits; that is an esthetic thing, not a societal thing.

Vanity is not a positive attribute to have. It does not accomplish anything of merit, so spending an inordinate amount of time or money on it does not really make sense.

I do hope that you find happiness and will be your friend always.

SVilleca

Caring about your appearance is not a sin, nor is it inherently vain.

With all love and respect.

valium

Hi Valium,

I disagree with your assessment of the term vanity, but I will agree that it is not a sin in wanting to look pretty. I do not believe in any sins, it is just irrational because of the time wasted on such things.

That same time dedicated to your own education would be more valuable and would add up to quite a bit of saved hours, over the years. If you would like to start today, I will recommend to you the book Cable Cowboy: John Malone and the Rise of the Modern Cable Business.

It is available on Kindle through the Amazon store, and you will learn quite a bit from it not only regarding the cable industry, but capital allocation and financial engineering as well. It is my second favorite book that I have read this year, but I suspect my #1 favorite book targets too small of an audience to be of interest to most people.

Thank you for your kind wishes, and the same goes for you as well.

SVilleca

Then we should all shave our heads and wear the most bland gray robes we can find, because otherwise would be irrational.

With warmest regards and the most exuberant well wishes.

valium

When it comes to rationality, I would suggest that until the end of elementary/primary school, peoples' heads should be shaved to reduce the spread of parasites prevalent in their age group, but afterwards, the hair be left to grow.

When it gets to shoulder length it can be bound out of the way into a pony tail, and then sliced back to that length whenever it gets halfway down the back.

Some would argue that long hair takes longer to wash, but why wash it at all? The oils secreted by our scalphs may make our hair less nice to stroke and look at, but they also hinder the movement of parasites, and slightly repel water.

People who need to wear specialist headgear would have to cut their hair short of course, this could be done with a bowl and pair of scissors if the headgear isn't being worn regularly, or with an electric trimmer when cutting it even shorter reduces frequency of cutting nescessity.

What is the most rational footwear? I expect it's a combination of soft socks for absorbing sweat and reducing friction against the foot, some kind of warm, waterproof covering to keep rain off, and some kind of sandals designed to support the ankle and give a soft-ish, clean surface for stepping and standing on.

Should we start a thread on what the world would look like if we no longer cared about beauty, but had modern technology?

I reckon it could get pretty interesting, especially if some artists came in.

 

[Wadders]

I'm actually kinda curious now to know what people in this thread actually dress like.

Seconded.

Video game t-shirts and hoodies abound, I expect.

I'm hearing people slagging suits, ties, chinos and slim trousers, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. The first 3 have been accepted (when worn correctly) as cool and smart for getting on for 100 years. Admittedly these newer mutations of chinos with elastic ankles or big pockets, worn by 15 year-olds with trainers look bloody awful, but chinos proper have been around since the end of WW2.

I'm assuming those who hate on slim jeans are fortunate enough to be of a decent build. For lanky folks such as myself anything other than slim jeans look like I'm wearing balloon trousers. Slim jeans give a better silhouette, are more comfy and in my view look smarter than baggy ones.

And heels seem to be a subject of hate. I'n not female so it's not my place to comment but I just thought heels were accepted as a thing women wore when wanting to look smart/sexy. Had no idea there were people who are so vehemently anti-heel.

Also people are saying it is irrational/pointless/wasteful/vain to spend time and money on your appearance. Yes I suppose it would be nice to have a society that did not judge on appearances but a) it does, and b) one could equally argue that spending ones time and money playing games, reading comics, going fishing, modding cars or any number of pass times and hobbies is pointless. Rant over.

It's time to talk about fedoras. You all look terrible in them. No exceptions. People seem to think they're some kind of magic coolness device. They're not, they're just something that, for some reason, has been picked up by people on gaming forums - undoubtedly a great place for fashion advice - and labelled as 'cool'.

So much this. And you know what else I'd like to add to the "absolutely not cool, despite nerds saying otherwise"? Trench coats. Fuck trench coats. They were cool for about 6 months after the first Matrix movie came out, and subsequently they've been run into the ground so hard they're now technically considered part of Chinese territorial soil. No, you don't look cool and mysterious; you look like a fat dork. Literally any other kind of coat is cooler than a trench coat.

Totally agree, up until here. Sure trench coats look awful if they are worn by your "fat dork", but when worn by a Wermacht officer...?

Spoiler

Also they don't have to be leather - these count as trench coats too, I believe, and are also nice.

Spoiler

 

[YazBar]

Ties, I guess. There may be a reason for them, but I just don't understand the idea of having a piece of cloth hanging from your neck.

 

[CrystalShadow]

Clothing items I don't understand - Uggs.

Me neither. I used to wear them all the time, but at the time nobody I knew of would even think of wearing them outside.
Ugg boots started life as the equivalent of slippers.

Why or when anyone thought it'd be a good idea to wear them as if they were actual shoes for everyday use is really beyond me...

Personally, I don't get boxers.

Wearing a pair of shorts as if they're underwear? just seems really awkward to me. And it makes me wonder why you'd even wear underwear at all if you're going to wear something like that...

 

[YazBar]

Totally agree, up until here. Sure trench coats look awful if they are worn by your "fat dork", but when worn by a Wermacht officer...?

Spoiler

Also they don't have to be leather - these count as trench coats too, I believe, and are also nice.

Spoiler

Here's the exception:

Spoiler

 

[Wadders]

Totally agree, up until here. Sure trench coats look awful if they are worn by your "fat dork", but when worn by a Wermacht officer...?

Spoiler

Also they don't have to be leather - these count as trench coats too, I believe, and are also nice.

Spoiler

Here's the exception:

Spoiler

Agh fuck! You win

I suppose what I should have said was; "they look nice when worn with other, relatively smart, items of clothing." No doubt if our bespectacled, Mario loving friend exchanged his attire for something a little sharper, he too could actually pull off the trenchcoat he wears.

Hmm, that sounded rather snobbish...

 

[CrystalShadow]

And heels seem to be a subject of hate. I'n not female so it's not my place to comment but I just thought heels were accepted as a thing women wore when wanting to look smart/sexy. Had no idea there were people who are so vehemently anti-heel.

Heels... Yeah, I think a lot of people have mixed feelings about heels...

Well, anyone that's actually ever worn anything with heels probably has mixed feelings about them. If you've never worn them you might not get it, but if you have it'll be pretty obvious what the problem is.

Firstly, the good points about them is they do improve your appearance, usually. (if you're careful, anyway). And they can make you seem taller.
Whether that's a good thing or not depends on how tall you are already, because for women in particular, there seems to be some kind of optimum height. Being either shorter or taller than this usually ends up being held against you, if only very subtly.

But the negatives are pretty serious. - Heels, especially very high ones are an absolute pain to walk in. It takes a fairly large amount of practice to be able to walk more than a few meters in heels,
And... You can pretty much forget about being able to run while wearing them.
Add to that the fact that most heels will hurt your toes pretty badly, no matter how well the shoes are made (because of physics, basically), and that long-term use of heels can damage your feet and ankles...
And, basically, it should be more obvious why there's so much dislike for them.

Basically, heels are only for people and/or situations where what you look like is vastly more important than the fairly basic ability to be able to walk and run.
Because you pretty much can't do one of those at all, and it cripples your ability to do the other to some extent as well.

Heels are the very definition of form over functionality.

 

[Wadders]

And heels seem to be a subject of hate. I'n not female so it's not my place to comment but I just thought heels were accepted as a thing women wore when wanting to look smart/sexy. Had no idea there were people who are so vehemently anti-heel.

Heels... Yeah, I think a lot of people have mixed feelings about heels...

Well, anyone that's actually ever worn anything with heels probably has mixed feelings about them. If you've never worn them you might not get it, but if you have it'll be pretty obvious what the problem is.

Firstly, the good points about them is they do improve your appearance, usually. (if you're careful, anyway). And they can make you seem taller.
Whether that's a good thing or not depends on how tall you are already, because for women in particular, there seems to be some kind of optimum height. Being either shorter or taller than this usually ends up being held against you, if only very subtly.

But the negatives are pretty serious. - Heels, especially very high ones are an absolute pain to walk in. It takes a fairly large amount of practice to be able to walk more than a few meters in heels,
And... You can pretty much forget about being able to run while wearing them.
Add to that the fact that most heels will hurt your toes pretty badly, no matter how well the shoes are made (because of physics, basically), and that long-term use of heels can damage your feet and ankles...
And, basically, it should be more obvious why there's so much dislike for them.

Basically, heels are only for people and/or situations where what you look like is vastly more important than the fairly basic ability to be able to walk and run.
Because you pretty much can't do one of those at all, and it cripples your ability to do the other to some extent as well.

Heels are the very definition of form over functionality.

Well, fair enough, good points all. I realised they were uncomfortable - my female friends often walk into town wearing flats for instance, and then change into their heels. But as you said, I've never worn them so I have no idea quite how uncomfortable they are. Which is very uncomfortable, by the sounds of it.

 

[dmase]

My ex-girlfriend had this one piece short-suit thing. It was like called a romper or some shit and all I could think about was that sounds like something a baby would wear why is grown woman wearing something like that. It makes you look your pregnant even though your skinny, it has a similar type of pattern as several couches I've seen, you have to be completely naked in order to take a piss, and there is nothing fashionable about them.

Maybe her jumper just didn't fit her.

My girlfriend is smoking in her's.

http://www.goniovisionbox.org/2013/01/jumpsuits-or-rompers-for-women-style/

I looked up a jumper and I guess that is a sweater. I'm talking about a romper, those one piece tings in the above link. All of those women are attractive and yet not sexy because of those things.

 

[CrystalShadow]

You know what? I just don't understand anyone who doesn't take pride in their appearance. If you aren't dressed like you're going on a date, don't leave the house yet because you aren't dressed properly. Dress like each day is the day you'll be interviewed for your dream job, by your future wife/husband. If everyone did that, the world would be a much nicer looking place.

Hmm. I don't know what to make of an attitude like this. On the one hand, there are some people around that you'd wish you didn't have to see. (but a lot of the time this cannot be reasonably improved by anything they can actually do in terms of clothing/grooming, so it becomes a bit of a moot point.).

On the other hand, something about being that superficial just doesn't sit well with me. On top of which, sometimes you go out purely because you need to, not because you want to.
If I have to go out to do something which cannot be put off and then have to make sure my appearance is 100% perfect as well, I'd probably starve.
Then again, given that getting my appearance to the best it could possibly be can easily take hours upon hours... Which is time I don't tend to have if I actually need to go somewhere, it's hardly a reasonable expectation to have that people do this every single time they leave the house.

Unless you can devote a substantial fraction of your time to it, that's just an unreasonable and largely inefficient use of time. (unless of course, you're a model, in which case, looking perfect is what you get paid to do...)

 

[CrystalShadow]

And heels seem to be a subject of hate. I'n not female so it's not my place to comment but I just thought heels were accepted as a thing women wore when wanting to look smart/sexy. Had no idea there were people who are so vehemently anti-heel.

[spoiler = "Click for more..."]
Heels... Yeah, I think a lot of people have mixed feelings about heels...

Well, anyone that's actually ever worn anything with heels probably has mixed feelings about them. If you've never worn them you might not get it, but if you have it'll be pretty obvious what the problem is.

Firstly, the good points about them is they do improve your appearance, usually. (if you're careful, anyway). And they can make you seem taller.
Whether that's a good thing or not depends on how tall you are already, because for women in particular, there seems to be some kind of optimum height. Being either shorter or taller than this usually ends up being held against you, if only very subtly.

But the negatives are pretty serious. - Heels, especially very high ones are an absolute pain to walk in. It takes a fairly large amount of practice to be able to walk more than a few meters in heels,
And... You can pretty much forget about being able to run while wearing them.
Add to that the fact that most heels will hurt your toes pretty badly, no matter how well the shoes are made (because of physics, basically), and that long-term use of heels can damage your feet and ankles...
And, basically, it should be more obvious why there's so much dislike for them.

Basically, heels are only for people and/or situations where what you look like is vastly more important than the fairly basic ability to be able to walk and run.
Because you pretty much can't do one of those at all, and it cripples your ability to do the other to some extent as well.

Heels are the very definition of form over functionality.[/spoiler]

Well, fair enough, good points all. I realised they were uncomfortable - my female friends often walk into town wearing flats for instance, and then change into their heels. But as you said, I've never worn them so I have no idea quite how uncomfortable they are. Which is very uncomfortable, by the sounds of it.

Oh, a good pair can be fine...

As long as you don't have to move... XD

 

[Chemical Alia]

I have a trouble understanding bras. All you're doing is making dudes think that boobs defy gravity. I understand if your titties are so big, that they're too heavy to hold up on your own without a bra, but maybe then you should consider working out your shoulder muscles or having those milkies reduced.

Same thing goes for "natural looking" make-up. If you're unhappy with how your face looks, perhaps you may consider getting those facial butters and whatnot to improve its skin.

Basically, anything that gives others a false image in their heads about how your naked body looks like. You liars.

I know two people already addressed this, but lol. If I'm not wearing a bra, just walking down stairs is enough to make my boobs incredibly uncomfortable, never mind running or any other active movements. I can't believe people don't realize that they're worn for support.

Not to mention it's an extra layer that prevents boob/nipple visibility.. I know I wouldn't be comfortable going out in public with the shape of my boobs clearly showing through basically everything I wore, that would be pretty indecent. D:

 

[Lynx]

JEEZ, some people around here seriously need to chill. As long as someone's not visually assaulting you with over-the-top nudity such as panty slips or butt cracks, or wearing offensive prints such as swastikas, who the hell cares? I personally like (almost) all clothing that complements a person's figure as well as show a little attitude.

The only thing I can't stand is fourteen-year-olds who think a pair of low hanging jeans that show 15 cm of underwear or a push-up bra for an A-cup will make them look attractive.


P.S. And btw, heels are a matter of practice. Walk every day in them for a month an you'll adjust fine. They also make you taller, they give your legs a vastly different shape (much like the en pointe does for ballet dancers), although wearing them too often can potentially injure your feet. Regarding the thong + jeans debate, it's a COMFORT thing. Do you have any idea how annoying it is to have to adjust the hem of your knickers every five minutes when you're wearing tight pants? A nice cotton thong stays in its place.

 

[ChippedShoulder]

I don't understand thongs. I get it when someone is wearing a bikini or a short skirt, but what about when some one is wearing jeans? If you want to look like you aren't wearing underwear, don't wear underwear.

I've heard they act as fart silencers. So enjoy that image...

 

[sXeth]

Ties generally add some colour diversity to a suit ensemble. Which tends to be one solid colour and often dark. (Seriously, trying to find decently patterned or not grey/brown/black/navy suits is pretty tough). That said, I don't find them particularly well suited to wearing with just a shirt sans coat/blazer, and the tie over t-shirt thing is just silly.

 

[YingDerpington]

Ties generally add some colour diversity to a suit ensemble. Which tends to be one solid colour and often dark. (Seriously, trying to find decently patterned or not grey/brown/black/navy suits is pretty tough). That said, I don't find them particularly well suited to wearing with just a shirt sans coat/blazer, and the tie over t-shirt thing is just silly.

Plenty of ways to add color to a suit that is more comfortable than a male choker collar.

Gonna have to agree with the man there, ties really do add some colour to an otherwise bland shirt (unfortunately I have yet to find a blazer/suit jacket that can counteract the power of boring shirts). If it feels like a choker then either you're wearing it tighter than necessary, the collar of your shirt is too tight or your workplace has ridiculous rules regarding how one must wear their ties and how one must maintain their apparel.

 

[Sandernista]

I'm aware of how they got the name, but why in the world would you keep calling them that? What is wrong with "tank top"? I just can't imagine why you'd want to refer to your clothing that way. If a group of women became infamous for choking their children while wearing a certain style of jacket, I wouldn't refer to my own jacket as a "baby strangler". It just seems completely odd to me that guys are like "yes, this seems like a perfectly valid name for a thing".

It's a derogatory name for the shirt. When I wear it, it's an undershirt. When that redneck asshole wears it it's a wifebeater.

(Despite the fact I wouldn't be caught dead in one)

 

[Sandernista]

My ex-girlfriend had this one piece short-suit thing. It was like called a romper or some shit and all I could think about was that sounds like something a baby would wear why is grown woman wearing something like that. It makes you look your pregnant even though your skinny, it has a similar type of pattern as several couches I've seen, you have to be completely naked in order to take a piss, and there is nothing fashionable about them.

Maybe her jumper just didn't fit her.

My girlfriend is smoking in her's.

http://www.goniovisionbox.org/2013/01/jumpsuits-or-rompers-for-women-style/

I looked up a jumper and I guess that is a sweater. I'm talking about a romper, those one piece tings in the above link. All of those women are attractive and yet not sexy because of those things.

I completely disagree. (In fact those were exactly what I was talking about)

I find them really attractive.