No offense taken. Honestly though, how many people are well-versed enough to know White House etiquette? It's not like they've been there on numerous occasions and know what's the proper thing to wear. They obviously wear them everyday and didn't think too much of it.
I agree. It seems people just don't dress up anymore, but you'd think more of them would put some effort into getting dressed for their special visit.
__________________
Bad taste is like a nice dash of paprika. We all could use more of it. It's no taste I'm against. -Diana Vreeland
i think this is sad. obviously, it's not a big deal in the grand scheme of things and we have many more important things to be covering in the news. but it honestly makes me sad that people think it's appropriate to wear flip flops to the white house, let alone a polo shirt and sneakers. not only do the flip flops ruin the outfit, but they are completely inappropriate footwear for the occasion. it's not rocket science to realize that visiting the white house means dressing up. i agree with the poster that people today are putting comfort first and looking nice second. when you dress up i think your attitude changes, too, and makes you think about the import of the situation. you can look nice and be comfortable at the same time, but there's half the country opting to slouch around in velour sweatsuits. ugh.
while i don't necessarily think it's newsworthy i do feel it's a respect issue. how you dress reflects a lot and i think it is (or should be) common sense that if you're going to meet the president of the us, who is arguably the most powerful man in the u.s. you should put on a pair of real shoes, even if it's just for an hour. in general i feel like it reflects a lack of standards. not that i want to go back to the old days of women not being able to wear pants, but i feel like our cultural mores have really gotten lax in the past few decades.
I agree that, at the end of the day, it's not that big a deal, but I think, like others have 'said', that their (the girls') clothing reflects a general attitude of American culture that comfort is the primary importance of clothing, and appropriateness is second (or third, or fourth...). Truthfully, I don't have a lot of respect for this particular President of the US. I think he's a putz. BUT, if I were invited to the White House you can bet that I would wear closed-toe shoes and at least a modest short-sleeved sweater. Not b/c I have great respect for this President, but instead as a show of respect to the Office of the President/what the President represents, etc.
The weird thing is, even at like 17-18 years old, I knew that it wasn't repectful to wear casual clothing when meeting important ppl. And my upbringing was solidly middle-class, no etiquette charm school for me, so I'm not sure why these girls didn't know better... kids these days...
edited for clarity
-- Edited by Starstuff at 14:08, 2005-07-27
__________________
"I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn't itch." - G. Radner
I know this is old news, but did anyone notice that the mom said she won't leave the house in flip-flops unless SHE HAS ON STOCKINGS??? Um, can I puke now??
__________________
"I am tired of being your savior/ And I am tired of telling you why"- ani difranco, "Origami"
I know this is old news, but did anyone notice that the mom said she won't leave the house in flip-flops unless SHE HAS ON STOCKINGS??? Um, can I puke now??
lol, it only says she doesn't leave the house without hose. she has probably never worn a flip flop in her life!