Mikk “IF WE were to go back to the drawing board and address the question, "What are good ways to clothe the human body?", I doubt that anyone would come up with the suit as a solution.”

But they did.

That is what is called, in contemporary parlance, “An Inconvenient Truth”

Regardless of the cringing and sniveling piffle of some leftie nong with no fashion sense

“Suits are today's uniform of the oppressors in the class war that has been going on for centuries but which has become particularly savage since the economic rationalists got their greedy grasp on the helm of most countries.”

Yawn… what a load of bollocks…

If you read anything about fashion history you would find suits evolved through peoples personal choices and were not imposed by a self-appointed committee of commie flunkies and wannabe despots.

If you had any idea about what drives fashion (personal taste) you would even find the true origin of the superfluous buttons on a jacket cuff.

I wonder what is “fashionable” on the barricades these days, a matching denim twin set … or maybe some camouflage pants and a slinky top in green silk to offset the drabness of the trousers?

I wear suits, single and double breasted. I also wear casual and evening jackets any variety of shirts. My tie collection is legendary. I am most probably least favoured with shoes, of which I tend to have only very few.

However, I have always hankered for the old days of frock coats in all those glorious colours, popular during the English Regency era.

“When you wear a suit you are publicly declaring whose side you are on - and it ain't the side of the workers.
You wear a suit
You are the enemy!”

Then, I would will be with the enemy, at least they have some fashion sense….. (and carry bigger guns).

Some interesting reactions.

Apart from being a bit creeped out that Pericles imagines what I look like and how I live and the predictable cheap shots, not a bad start I suppose.

I find it interesting the way people are scared to talk about the ugliness of life, or the ugliness inside themselves. I'm sure Pericles is a shining light of happiness and virtue, who thinks it's 'weird' to discuss this kind of loathing. But wait, it seems he's even expanded my ungenerous appraisal of people I don't know and applied it to me, someone he doesn't know. Maybe that horse isn't so high.

Otokonoko,

'fascinatingly ugly shoes.' , 'what had happened in his life to make him think that purchasing such disgusting footwear was desirable or even acceptable'

Too funny. At least you're getting into the spirit of it!

'There was a feel of ambition, of wealth, of success'
'how do these ambitious, wealthy, successful people turn into cheap suit wearing, ugly shoe buying angry middle-aged men? '

That's what I'm talking about. Young guys wear a suit and it seems like they are heading somewhere and they 'believe'. But middle aged men in cheap suits seem like they are going through the motions waiting to die.

Peter,

'Is a middle aged man in cheap jeans, in the same category. '
Good point. I must spend more on my Jeans!

I don't think this is all necessarily about looks/appearance. What do you think of the symbolism of the suit and tie, of conformity, aging, fear of aging, examining your prejudices etc.

TPP,

'then they look me up and down like I must be inhuman and doing it for money.'
Seriously? That's awful! Are you sure they are thinking that, or do you just fear people will think that?

Anti,

Maybe that's my problem, I envy how they can thrive and enjoy 'the system'. But normally they don't look happy to me. They function, but they do it like a reflex I feel.

'Little wonder that some of those grey people are here; those who have nothing to contribute and whose sole pleasures seem to come from trying to sneer at those who do.'
That's me too a tee! I love sneering at the 'save the world' OLO populace! It's not save the world I sneer at really, just the thought that you can do it by posting your 'fabulous' opinions on OLO. I think it's the pretension that gets me down.

Col,

'The sad faceless fellows in cheap suits are no different to their[sic] wives'
Haha. I used sic. I hate people who use sic, but I did it just for you Col. You know I love you though so you wont mind.

'Ultimately it is cheaper to buy the services of an ironing lady, cleaner and laundress. A lady on ones arm who turns heads is priceless. '

Oh Col, come on. The reflected glory of a having a floozy? I thought you had more depth! Do you drive an MG with a Burberry hat?

'my black tie will not be on elastic. '
Haha. I love elastic ties. They're just so wrong on so many levels. if one must wear a tie, don't wear a cartoon one or a clip on man. Have some self respect!

'some of us use superficiality as a shield to protect the delicate sincerity we really feel inside'
You're in form today! I nearly wet myself now.

Mikk,

'Suits are today's uniform of the oppressors in the class war that has been going on for centuries but which has become particularly savage since the economic rationalists got their greedy grasp on the helm of most countries.'
Go you! You'd get on with SJF I reckon.

'When you wear a suit you are publicly declaring whose side you are on'
Bravo! Great stuff!

What does the poor bugger have to do?

That suite, his wife bought it, with him looking on, sadly. He hates it.

He did want just one decent suite, but the dress his youngest daughter had to have, for the school formal cost $1300. Only $200 left for his suit. And that tie, fathers day.

He used to be a top water skier before he met her. The boat paid the deposite on the first house. Always planed to buy another, when they got on their feet. Almost did, but she wanted a bigger house.

Had a nice sports car, in his youth. Saved for years to buy an old one, & do it up. Do you like the new carpet, & lounge?

It's a pity about that big promotion he was offered, 12 years back. They would be quite well off now, might even have that sky boat, if he'd taken it. But then, she didn't want to move 200Km away from mum, & the kids didn't want to leave their friends at school.

Funny isn't it, now that her mums gone, & the kids have left school, she wants to move to the big smoke.

Cut the poor bloke some slack girls, it's you, & his sense of responsibility that's made him what he now is. He has given everything he had to give her what she wanted, nice house, kids, security, but what does she want now? You guessed it, a water skier, with a soprts car. He had no chance.

I recken the silly old bugger should have run off to the hippy commune, whith his secretary, 15 years ago, when he was still exciting, & she wanted him.

You lot should try out for "Grumpy Old Men", although if too many of you got in I think it should be renamed to "Grumpy Old Farts". There is a lighter side to all this:

-

Two elderly friends, Bill and Sam, met in the park every day to feed the pigeons, watch the squirrels and discuss world problems.

One day Bill didn't show up. Sam didn't think much about it figured maybe he had a cold or some such. But after Bill hadn't shown up for a week or so Sam really got worried.

However, since the only time they ever got together was at the park, Sam didn't know where Bill lived so he was unable to find out what had happened to him.

A month had past and Sam figured he had seen the last of Bill, but one day Sam approached the park and lo and behold there sat Bill! Sam was very excited and happy to see him and told him so! Then he said, "For crying out loud Bill, what in the world happened to you?"

Bill replied, "I have been in jail."

"Jail?," cried Sam!! "What in the world for?"

"Well," Bill said, "you know Sue, that cute little blond waitress at the coffee shop where we sometimes get coffee?"

"Yeah" said Sam, I remember her. What about her?"

"Well one day she charged me with rape and I was so proud that when I got into court, I pled "guilty" and the judge gave me 30 days for perjury."

-

Obviously the joke is a little dated. Old men don't discuss the worlds problems in a park any more, nowadays they do it on OLO.

(Monsieur) Houellebecq, c'est la vie!
Actually, your piece is somewhat reminiscent of the below:

I look at all the lonely people.
I look at all the lonely people.

Elena Rigby
Picks up the rice in the church where her wedding has been;
Lives in a dream.
Waits at the window,
Wearing a face that she keeps in a jar by the door.
Who is it for?
All the lonely people, where do they all come from?
All the lonely people, where do they all belong?

Father MacKenzie
Writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear;
No one comes near.
Look at him working,
Nodding his socks in the night when there's nobody there.
What does he care?
All the lonely people, where do they all come from?
All the lonely people, where do they all belong?

I look at all the lonely people.
I look at all the lonely people.

Elena Rigby
Died in the church and was buried alone with her name.
Nobody came.
Father MacKenzie
Wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from her grave.
No one was saved.
All the lonely people, where do they all come from?
All the lonely people, where do they all belong?

(no citation needed!)