The Evolution of Dressing in the 21st Century: From Teen to Adult
Dressing has changed greatly over the years, especially from the days of being a teenager to the present. As someone still wearing the same shirt from their teenage years, I can share my personal journey of transitioning from a less formal to a more professional attire. This article will explore the changes in fashion and dress code over the years, focusing on the shift from being a teenager to dressing appropriately as an adult.
The Era of Teenage Fashion
During my teenage years, I was often caught wearing outfits that have been a part of my wardrobe for decades. A famous example of this is a shirt that I stole from my mom when I was in high school. This shirt, which is now old enough to legally drink at a bar, still holds a special place in my wardrobe due to its versatility and durability. Worn again just last weekend, it proves that some pieces can stand the test of time and remain true to style.
Other examples of my teenage wardrobe include UFO pants from the early 2000s and a skort gifted to me at 27, both of which are still part of my current attire. As a teenager, I lacked the confidence to expose my midriff or wear fanny packs and corsets, which are now popular fashion items. The self-esteem and confidence to wear such fashions typically develop later in life.
The Transition to Adult Attire
Technically a teenager until the age of 16, my first job with a bank marked the beginning of my transition from student to professional. In the 1980s, men were expected to wear suits and ties, while women were expected to wear sensible dresses, blouses, skirts, and shoes. Today, such strict dress codes are less common, and many workplaces have a fixed uniform, especially in the banking industry.
Primary school in the 1970s required boys to wear blazers, grey trousers, and either shorts or long trousers, along with shirts and ties. Girls had uniforms with light blue or green checks over a white background. These uniformed looks were fairly formal, and even during my high school years in the late 1970s, the dress code remained strict.
By the final two years of secondary school, the uniform for boys evolved to long black trousers, black socks, and shoes, while girls wore long dresses in winter and blazers with a less formal tie. These changes marked the beginning of a more relaxed dress code, but even then, teenage fashion was quite formal compared to current standards.
The Wake-Up Call: Dressing for Work
My realization that teenage fashion was inappropriate for the workplace came as I started working in banking. For the first year, it was acceptable to wear old school uniforms like blazers and sports jackets, but not the school tie. After the age of 17, or 18, it became expected to wear a formal business suit and appropriate tie. This shift in expectations was quite stark, and for women, even formal office attire became less school-like to avoid the perception of still being a student.
For leisure wear, freedom was generally granted, and it wasn't until my mid-20s that I started to dress more like a teenager, especially when going out to dinner or visiting the pub. In the mid-1980s, the separation between casual and formal attire was growing, with some teenagers adopting a "grunge" look, including ripped jeans, while adults continued to wear more formal outfits.
Today, the business world still expects a short tie and a business suit, with appropriate footwear. Even banks and upscale stores provide a company uniform, shifting away from the "anything goes" approach of lower-scale shops from the 1960s and 1970s. The evolution of fashion and dress code continues to reflect societal changes and personal growth from teenage years to adulthood.
Conclusion
The journey from a teenager to an adult can be marked by significant changes in fashion and dress code. While some elements, like the shirt from my high school days, remain timeless, overall, the expectations for both teenage and adult attire have shifted. This article explores these changes and the realizations that come with transitioning from one stage of life to the next.