of course.
and, like many of those, I don't see it as the cross to die on.
Unlike many of those, it becomes really strange to me when people put a dollar figure on their ability to dress in a certain way or are perhaps unaware of their appearance's impact on their financial outcomes.
If someone wants to dress like a Gen A teenager and it doesn't affect their financial outcomes or prospects, I say good on 'em. People probably *are* judging you when they see that; it's just that they don't matter (or, don't matter now, or you don't know that they matter).
Just like I know I get judged in dress pants and shirt at the office, particularly by the guys that come in from the jobsites thinking their jeans and boots (that never leave the trailer) are a badge of honor. I've heard guys say they don't want a promotion involving corporate office time because they wouldn't want to "dress up". IDK if that' just them hedging bets, or they don't know what sort of comp they're really turning down (for one thing, potential bonus structure that can go from 25% of base to 50% of base), or they're scared of the responsibility anyway, or what. But to *me* turning down a potential 25% bump so that you don't have to put on slacks is weird.
I also think that, historically, there's some class stuff and some sneetchism going on.
Going back to the "Rubenesque" physique being considered attractive, that was rooted in the fact that only the rich had the time and money to get fat. Today, only the rich have the time and money to go to the gym, so slimmer physiques are the hotness.
When you look at any historically working-class or lower-class group, there's often a subset of young men, in particular, that develop a price in appearance that's rooted in not looking like their working-class brethren while still maintaining a unique look. Rude Boys, Zoot-Suiters, Rhinestone Cowboys... even ghetto culture is about showing off how much your outfit costs vs. how cheap your rent is. As a response, it's not uncommon today to see people riding around in supercars and living in mansions with full-sleeve tattoos, raggedy clothes, etc. Just like only the rich can afford to go to the gym, only the rich can dress however they want, so they dress like hobos to prove it.
And the pendulum always swings. The masses start emulating the rich (star belly machine), and the rich change the game (plain belly machine). What's the new thing, from Succession, "quiet wealth" or something like that? The rich aren't dressing like hobos now, they're dressing in very understated, simple clothes that just happen to cost hundreds of dollars. the "succession hat" alone is like a plain ball cap that costs $500 or something?
I read one article that said that one sign of upper-middle-class-wealth was having many, single-purpose, bags for various things (one for work, one for the beach, one for vacation, one for around town, etc.). I think that excludes gun enthusiast.
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Originally Posted by rob_s
