The American Appearance

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The appearance of many American’s is appalling for the simple reason that they no longer take pride in how they dress. They embrace a โ€œnormโ€ that is unappealing and unbecoming, as if they canโ€™t make up their minds about their gender. Worse, itโ€™s quickly becoming more pronounced, deliberate, and intentional. We should not cast this issue off with the old โ€œdear me, what is this world coming toโ€ statement. Whatever the world is coming to, its coming very quickly, and it needs to be stopped.

โ€œEssential to self-respectโ€

There are many positive aspects to dressing nicely, the most obvious is that you will be treated better when you do so. Besides, it makes you look and feel respectable, and is respectful of others. It gives you more confidence; it makes the statement that you are happy, healthy, and polite. In addition, dressing well raises the standard and quality of life, not just for yourself, but for others.

Americans used to dress up because they took pride in representing their nation as being prosperous, respectful, and respectable. The way in which Americans dress projects the image of our nation. In the mid-twentieth century, clothing manufacturer William C. Browning stated:

And if it be true. . . that the condition of a people is indicated by its clothing, Americaโ€™s place in the scale of civilized lands is a high one. We have provided not alone abundant clothing at a moderate cost for all classes and citizens but we have given them, at the same time the style and character in dress that is essential to the self-respect of a free, democratic people. [Emphasis added]

Ladies. . .

With women, there is a deplorable lack of feminineness in their grooming and apparel. Years ago, women and girls strived to look their best, to be attractive. Women enjoyed wearing pretty things; men appreciated and encouraged this. Tragically, gloves, hats, and dresses became lost in the shuffle as the feminists transformed the meaning of the female. It is imperative in our times that women restore the traditional ladylike image of the American woman by dressing, grooming, and acting with modest feminineness.

. . .And Gentlemen

On the other hand, men donโ€™t seem to notice that they are beginning to take on a feminine look. In comparison to men from 80 years ago, the difference in the male appearance is both astounding and disgusting. Today we see long-haired, skinny-jean-clad males who can no longer be honored with the title of โ€œmanโ€, for they are an embarrassment to the real men of years gone by. The traditional masculine look of ruggedness and strength is fast diminishing.

What Used to Be

Clothing catalogs from the early- to mid-twentieth century stressed the differences between menโ€™s and womenโ€™s wardrobes. For instance, men were offered โ€œsturdy, masculine stylesโ€ that were โ€œhandsome and well-tailoredโ€, as well as apparel that โ€œcommands respect.โ€ A Sears catalog from the year 1949/1950 described a menโ€™s coat as being as โ€œmasculine as a brier pipe, [as] good-looking as a hand-tooled saddle. . .tough and rugged.โ€ In contrast, women were given dress choices โ€œwith lots of emphasis on the feminine!โ€ In 1937, the Sears catalog showcased a hostess gown with the caption, โ€œLook your loveliest at home!โ€ Later on, in 1950, catalogs presented โ€œfashions that feminine America loves.โ€ Today, what clothing catalogs there are emphasize apparel that is easy to wear, versatile, comfortable, and casual.[i]

It is a strange era of โ€œin-betweennessโ€ in which we live. People hover between genders and embrace the โ€œunisexโ€ wardrobe, all the while eroding the traditional American culture that draws a clear line between men and women. Before long there will be no โ€œmenโ€ and โ€œwomenโ€โ€”there will only be โ€œpeople.โ€ More than ever, men need to be masculine, and women need to be feminine.


[i] Catalog descriptions in this paragraph are taken from: Everyday Fashions of the Thirties as Pictured in Sears Catalogs ed. by Stella Blum,New York: Dover Publications, 1986; and Everyday Fashions of the Forties as Pictured in Sears Catalogs ed. by JoAnne Olian,New York: Dover Publications, 1992.

[1] Catalog descriptions in this paragraph are taken from: Everyday Fashions of the Thirties as Pictured in Sears Catalogs ed. by Stella Blum,New York: Dover Publications, 1986; and Everyday Fashions of the Forties as Pictured in Sears Catalogs ed. by JoAnne Olian,New York: Dover Publications, 1992.

Natalie Morris
Natalie Morris
Natalie Morris began her TTC column in 2021, recently publishing her 50th post. She enjoys writing about issues that affect average Americans (such as herself), as well as U.S. history and culture. She firmly believes that a day in which no writing is done is a day that is wasted.

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