Demon Denim

The Washington Post ^ | 4/16/09 | George Will

[AnAmericanMother]

OK, I'm going to turn a couple of muddy Labrador Retrievers loose on Will and his $1500 Brooks Brothers suit.

He'll wish he had some jeans.

And you bet I don't dress up to fly any more. They shoehorn you into a seat with your knees pressed against your chin, and you wait and sweat for hours. Who wants to ruin good clothing at a cattle call?

[rockrr]

Could’a been worse - they could’a been dressed like George Will...

[Jack of all Trades]

Thirty five years ago they were called “dungarees”, and my Mother had the same rant about them.

“Are you going out to work in a potato field? Why can’t you where a nice pair of Chinos and an Oxford shirt once in a while?”

[kalee]

My father and godfather were both pilots and we have always
worn clothes that are all natural fibers, cotton or wool, when flying. Jeans are usually all cotton, so I would wear them, except I tend more for khakis when traveling.

Funny though, my mother and I picked my brother up at the airport recently and she remarked how casually people dressed when traveling today. She said back in the 50-60’s flying was an event and people dressed accordingly.

[Veto!]

I hate jeans, always have, though I always keep a pair in my closet. One pair. Yes, I suppose they look OK on me. I’m trim and they fit. But yuk anyway.

While I do not agree with Will that we should not wear anything Fred Astaire or Grace Kelley would not wear, I do love beautiful clothes to the extent that a few years ago when I had a sudden extreme symptom that might have indicated imminent death, I raced out and purchased lovely silk nighties because I refused to die in an ugly hospital gown. Symptom went away, I’m fine.

[Just another Joe]

Denim is comfortable, washable, wears (weathers) well, is (can be) inexpensive, and can be made into many types of clothing.

Get over it George.
There's nothing wrong with wearing denim.
It has it's place in life just as a $1,500 suit does.

[The Electrician]

Obama will not let this denim crisis go to waste - right now he’s planning an initiative to open up more trade with Cuba by importing Castro-style olive fatigues to clothe his civilian national treason corps...

[reagan_fanatic]

When I wake up
In the morning light
I put on my jeans and I feel alright

I pull my blue jeans on
I pull my old blean jeans on
I pull my blue jeans on
I pull my old blean jeans on

It’s the weekend
And I know that you’re free
So pull on your jeans
And come out with me

I need to have you near me
I need to feel you close to me
I need to have you near me
I need to feel you close to me

You and me can go motorbikin ridin
In the sun and the wind and the rain
I got money in my pocket
Got a tiger in my tank
And I’m king of the road again

I’ll meet you in the usual place
I don’t need a thing ‘cept your pretty face

And I need to have you near me
I need to feel you close to me
I need to have you near me
I need to feel you close to me

You and me can go motorbikin ridin
In the sun and the wind and the rain
I got money in my pocket
Got a tiger in my tank
And I’m king of the road again

When I wake up
In the morning light
I put on my jeans and i feel alright

I pull my blue jeans on
I pull my old blean jeans on
I pull my blue jeans on
I pull my old blean jeans on
I pull my blue jeans on
I pull my old blean jeans on

When I wake up
In the morning light
I put on my jeans and i feel alright

I pull my blue jeans on
I pull my old blean jeans on
I pull my blue jeans on
I pull my old blean jeans on
I pull my blue jeans on
I pull my old blean jeans on

When I wake up
In the morning light
I put on my jeans and i feel alright
I pull my blue jeans on
I pull my old blean jeans on

[clintonh8r]

Unlike Will, I don’t own even a single pair of jeans.

[ichabod1]

I’ve become less enamoured with denim. Sigh, guess I’m getting old. Actually, don’t find it very comfortable, and too hot in the summer.

[untenured]

I wear jeans when traveling, then switch to a suit at detination. Get over it.

You and I are not that far apart. I dress nicely to show respect, when the occasion demands it. I'm a college professor, and always wear a suit when I teach. On days when I don't, so that I'm just coming in to do research, I don't. Instead, I wear a dress shirt and, very often, jeans. If I'm traveling to a conference to give a talk the same day, I don't wear my suit until I get there if I can avoid it, because otherwise it will get wrinkled on the plane.

If I'm going to the mall, the presence of jeans at which Mr. Will also complains about, I am the customer and the shop owners need to be respecting me. So I don't worry too much about it.

Mr. Will is sometimes a bit too much the Tory for me. (I say this as someone who often wears bowties myself.)

[madinmadtown]

I am going to get flamed, but I agree with much of what Will says. I grew up on a farm and I know the value of denim, and I still appreciate it and I still wear it...and I have no problem wearing it in public, but at my age and girth, I do it in a skirt for the sake of the people who might see me.
I am shocked at the number of people who wear denim to church and I find it totally inappropriate. I am shocked that people wear it out to what I consider nicer restaurants. I do believe that students are better behaved when they wear uniforms or when they have a dress code. Sometimes sloppy is just sloppy. And the fact that there are some people who would spend several hundred dollars on a pair of distressed jeans makes me wonder what sort of crazy, idiotic, world this has become. No wonder they find Obama authentic.
I don't have a problem with people wearing jeans on a plane; I was in a crash landing once and it changed my whole attitude about good flying clothing.

[Red_Devil 232]

If you see me in anything other than jeans then we are at the same funeral.

[T-Bird45]

My father and godfather were both pilots and we have always worn clothes that are all natural fibers, cotton or wool, when flying. Jeans are usually all cotton, so I would wear them, except I tend more for khakis when traveling.

I find it interesting that more people don't think about such things as safety when flying: no polyester, REAL shoes (no flip-flops or sandals), layers to allow for comfort.

[ccmay]

A necktie is the mark of a wage slave. You might as well be the assistant night manager at Burger King.

Now that I am a principal in my company, I claim the right to come to work in Dockers and Tommy Bahama shirts. Haven't worn a necktie on the job in years.

Oh, and on weekends I wear jeans when it's cold, and shorts and flip-flops when it's warm. George Will can kiss my @$$.

-ccm

[ichabod1]

Now, if there were a national uniform, THAT might be it. I’d be happy if I could wear shorts and flip-flops to work.

[ichabod1]

I usually switch to a suit at detonation too.

[Mr Rogers]

Will can kiss my rear end - IF he can get the jeans off of them first!

[ichabod1]

The man wears BOW TIES for pity’s sake. How can anyone trust or take him seriously about ANYTHING?

[r9etb]

Sigh..... While Mr. Will has a point about “undifferentiated dressing,” he really seems to have lost his mind on this one...