Tuesday 16 January 2018

"What are you going to wear?"

Oh yes, that question.
Middle Cat apparently asked the Senior Cat this question a couple of days ago. There's a wedding coming up in April. My nephew is getting married to his lovely girl. (Yes, she really is lovely - stunning to look at but, even better, kind and caring.)
The Senior Cat warned me the question has been asked. Middle Cat will take matters into her own hands if I don't do something about it.
The Senior Cat still has a suit but he hasn't worn it for years. The last time he wore it was to my mother's funeral in 2000. I doubt it fits him. 
And I don't really think anyone will expect him to wear a suit to his grandson's wedding. It's not going to be a  very formal wedding. While the main participants might wear suits I am sure not all the other men will.
But it made me think about the question of "dress" again. There has been a recent move to have the legal profession cease wearing wigs and gowns in one of the courts. I saw a male doctor the other day and he was wearing a short sleeved shirt and no tie. One of his colleagues was wearing jeans.
I know there is an increasing tendency for people not to "dress" in the sense that their clothes have become casual rather than formal. When I trained as a teacher the female students were not permitted to wear trousers to college or out teaching. Teachers were the same. Male teachers were expected to wear a collar and tie. Now, at least in the state system, they often wear jeans and t-shirts.
I wonder about the effect this has on others though. My paternal grandfather was a tailor. He didn't just "make suits". He was a specialist who made uniforms for high ranking officers, governors of the state and senior military and naval personnel. He made the suits worn by many members of the legal profession too. I grew up knowing that the way people dressed was a part of their job. We still talk about "blue collar" workers - the people who didn't wear suits to work.
Fewer people wear suits to work now and perhaps it doesn't matter as much as it once did. There was a discussion about the change in the legal profession. Most people said, without perhaps giving it too much thought, that this was a good thing. Maybe it is. 
I wonder though, would we have the same view of police officers if they didn't wear uniform? Would we feel the same way about a judge if he wore jeans and a t-shirt?
The Senior Cat's suit probably won't fit him. That doesn't matter. He will still wear a white shirt and his good clan tie, his best trousers and his well polished shoes. It will look as if he cares.
And me? I don't know - yet. 

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

A wedding formalises a legal contract. Perhaps you should wear wig and gown (if you can get hold of them)?

Just kidding.

I went to the marriage of two friends in the registery office, followed by DIY “ reception” in local pub. Later, there was a ceremony in a garden where we were asked to care for and support them (one a pagan, the other a witch). A number of their friends were Goths and attended in lots of black garments - but their children were dressed in brigh colours and a several came as fairies! There was also a DIY meal. It was a great way of including many people in the celebration of the marriage.

LMcC

jeanfromcornwall said...

Just so long as you wear a smile!