Come As You Are?

     I have began to notice a disturbing trend recently. People dressing inappropriately without the slightest thought of their surroundings. In the past couple years I have noticed that dress codes are ignored if not altogether trampled.

     One example that I see weekly is at church. For the most part the congregation dresses appropriately. However, the wardrobe of some of the teen aged girls systematically shrinks not only in size but also in width. No matter what religion or faith you are, there is a specific code of dress that should be observed. The young women apparently don't feel as though they are dressed poorly because no matter how tight or short their skirts are they throw on a cardigan. To be frank, that is a like putting a band aid on a hemorrhage. In all fairness, it isn't all of them. My friend and I have a saying, "Come as you are. Not dressed for the bar."

     This lack of awareness wouldn't be as awful if it could be chalked up to youthful indiscretion. Sadly, the older generations are joining in also. I am reminded of a night I was having dinner at my town's golf club with my then boyfriend and his business associates. All was well until in walked the neighboring township's supervisor. She was dressed in sneakers, a baggy t-shirt, and a pair of exercise capri pants.

     "Sorry, I'm late. I came here straight from 5k training," she explained.
   
     First off, I was mystified as to why she wouldn't have taken a shower before showing up. You've been running and sweating, why wouldn't you go home first? Did I mention that this was in late June? I'd never met her before and there is indeed no second chance at a first impression. What was her hurry? Simple. At the dinner in question, one of the men there was on her board of trustees. Her sole purpose was to talk to him about giving up his benefits. She felt that once she got him on board, the other trustees would fall in line. She of course, would keep all of her benefits as township supervisor. As you may have expected, this did not go over well and the gentleman declined her offer.

     Everyone makes mistakes. However, this same woman doesn't seem to get it. My church has an annual raffle. It's a fun event. The food is phenomenal, the atmosphere is fun, and the guests are influential. The dress code is definitely after five, though not black tie. She was dressed in brown stacked heeled mules, brown wide legged pants, and a patterned top that had different shades of brown in it. As I walked to my table I noticed a hood looming out of the back. This is not the kind of event you wear anything with a hood to. Also, as a local politician it seems she would be more discriminating in her attire. Especially, since the next year was an election year. I have seen her at other events and she has this same haphazard approach in dress at those also. It just proves that neither money or a title can give you the sense of reverence and appropriateness that is required in some settings. The teenage girls in my congregation have time to learn and change. The local politician afore mentioned, not so much.

     As individuals, everything is a choice. There is a time and place for everything. At some point each person has to be able to gauge what is acceptable both in dress and in conduct.