Extreme uniform dressing

Life writer Trish Crawford, who wore the same suit for a month and wrote about the experience in a recent Life section story, discusses her adventure and readers' reactions with fashion editor Bernadette Morra. Post your comments below or send them to nakedlunch@thestar.ca.

Toronto Star Life writer Trish Crawford in the suit she wore for 30 days with no one, except her husband, noticing.

Trish, how did it feel wearing the same non-descript pantsuit for an entire month, even on weekends? On the one hand I imagine it would be liberating, but on the other it could be depressing. Bernadette

It was definitely depressing because I had picked such a drab colour, grey. I was cursing myself by the third or fourth day because it was also a rainy November. What is bizarre about this is that I had recently bought another grey suit, which I did take back. Only when I realized that I was getting ready about 20 minutes faster each morning did I grasp the fact that it was also liberating. No decisions to make! Trish

How much attention do you pay to your dress, normally. How much of a priority is "fashion"? Bernadette

Well, unfortunately, not enough. When I was younger, I spent much more time looking in the stores to see what the new styles were and made sure I had something from the new season. Lately, looking professional and neat seemed to be more important. Also, I almost exclusively buy clothes that I think are "slimming". That's why I picked that suit in the first place, I knew my picture would be taken in it. Trish

So how did Toronto Star readers react? Bernadette

It turns out I really touched a nerve. Lots of people wear the same thing every day out of preference. There are husbands who won't take off their sweat shirts no matter how much their wives plead. There are frugal people who buy cheap dark clothes and let their personalities shine. One young girl got locked out of her apartment by her landlord and didn't want to buy a new wardrobe while the matter got sorted. Most people thought it was very funny. Trish

What surprised you most about reaction to this story? Bernadette

Well, my first surprise was that no one noticed me in the newsroom. I wasn't prepared for that. I thought I'd be fielding zingers from all the wisecrackers in the office. I am close friends with many of my co-workers and I just couldn't get over the fact they didn't see what was right in front of their faces. Their reaction to the story was great hilarity, the joke is on all of us. And that seems to be what the readers feel -- no one really notices day to day things, just unusual or out-of-the-ordinary actions or clothing. Trish

But isn't it somewhat comforting to know that people are not judging you by your appearance? Obviously, there is much more to you than what you wear. Bernadette

People said the nicest things to me afterwards such as how I have an animated face or an outgoing personality. Those are the things people notice. So, in fact, this is a wonderful lesson that we are not just our clothes. People do look beneath the surface. But that doesn't mean clothes don't matter at all. I bought a party outfit during the month that I wore to the symphony and I was happy all night long because I was dressed up. Trish

Yes, but I am not sure that we can generalize from your experience. Some people, unfortunately, do judge others by what they are wearing and not much else. Isn't there a famous story, or perhaps urban myth, of Ronnie Hawkins going into a Rolls Royce dealership and being snubbed? I am sure such things happen all the time. I recall some really shabby profs at university who sure didn't look like they were very on the ball. Bernadette

You are totally right, we do judge others by what they are wearing "in context". For instance, my blah suit fit within the context of a middleaged woman working in a newsroom. A bikini, heaven forbid, would have been very, very wrong. Skateboarders have trouble getting into the country club because they don't fit in. Men in business suits stand out at the baseball game. You can wear ski pants into a bar in the Alps but not on King St. We use clothes to sort people. That way we know who the salesclerks, priests, rappers and movie stars are. Trish

So how has this experienced changed how you dress? Bernadette

I am kind of stuck with my current wardrobe for a while because I can't afford a wholesale revamp. Needless to say, I am not going to wear the grey suit again. But, as well, I am paying more attention to accessories and make-up too. I did pick out a fabulous pair of green skis and bought kooky blue/green eye glasses during the experiment. In the future, I have decided on two rules. I must have more colour and more skirts or dresses. Too many sensible pants suits makes Trish a dull girl. Trish

Comments

[Nicholas Cioran]

The topics of what we wear, and consumerism, have been on my mind for some time. Here are some thoughts...

Even into the early 20th century many people made do with one new outfit of clothing a year. The combination of long-wearing, good quality fabrics and a different dynamic of fashion combined to make this a very successful. A number of wills from the middle ages survive where a deceased's clothing was itemized and distributed, and continued to be worn by their descendants. Clothes were re-cut, repaired, patched, and generally every effort was made to ensure their survival.

The reduced cost of fabric has in some way contributed to the modern dynamic, but it more often it seems the fashion industry is really to blame. The seasonally changing fashion is an excuse to keep revenues up, ensuring the financial success of the companies selling them. But is it really in our best interests to wear throw-away clothing made of cheap fabric to keep up with the dictates of an industry whose only real interest is in the bottom line, not how good people look in their clothes, or the quality of their product.

Despite all this, there is still an outlet for people who don't want to continue to consume any more. Despite inflation, good quality bespoke clothing remains available to those who want it. Clothes that will last for years because they are well made from good materials. However, it is interesting to note that I can purchase a tailored shirt that will last for years for the same price as a "fashionable" shirt made from low quality materials that won't last.

On that note, as to looking fashionable, is it better to look fashionable, or to look good? The two are not synonymous. More often a person wearing well fitted clothing looks far better than someone wearing fashionable clothes off the rack. After all, most of us aren't off the rack...

[anne]

As a very busy stay at home mum, I essentially live in one outfit every season. Usually a variation on great jeans and a good black t shirt or black long sleeve plus killer boots, accessories and fabulous jewellery. I am far too lazy and rushed most of the time to think beyond that. Choosing to live this way has been quite liberating, and great on the budget...

As to people judging who we are and what we are by what we wear, damn straight!