Why do Americans dress so poorly?

Question

I am talking about outside of their home, wearing oversized Tshirts, ill-fitting jeans, and the like. Looking sloppy indeed. I havent been to a country where people were more sloppy, than the US. What do you think?

PS: I meant to say "poorly" as in "without thinking much about what they are wearing", NOT as in they dont have enough money. And also, NOT sloppy as in random articles of clothing seen in Africa- this is a gross twisting of my question and is a completely ignorant response.
PPS: Thanks.. these responses have been interesting!

Answer 1

I feel most sorry for the men in this country. If you go to most department stores, there aren't many options for them to dress nice. Apparently the people in charge of men's fashion want them all to dress like 12 year olds, so even if a guy wanted to dress nicely, he'd have to really look.

But it is true that Americans do dress poorly and I am one of them, although I have been making an effort to get a decent wardrobe. I honestly think that the average person doesn't have the knowlege or the time to invest in a proper wardrobe. I also think low self esteem plays a part in why some people dress so unflatteringly. And you can be stylish (not trendy) and comfortable too. But again - I don't think most Americans realize this.

I am a big fan of "What Not to Wear" btw. It is a very helpful and informative show for women who have trouble dressing well.

Answer 2

Some people choose to do that for the following reasons.
1) They're too lazy to change
2) They don't have enough money to purchase the clothing that flatters them the most
3) They don't know that it looks bad
and most importantly
4) They just don't really care.
It's not that we're sloppy, but we live in a world were our lives are full of rushing and stress, and most of the time, we don't really pyay attention to our appearances as much as other countries do. I haven't had much experiance with other cultures besides a small amount of French, but i know, i don't really feel a need to look like something out of a magazine everyday. If it's comfortable and it's not too expensive, i'll buy it. I think that's what people go for now, not whether it looks the best and proper. Also, the trends now are looser fitting then they were before.

Answer 3

Ok, So.. Italians are the most stylish.. If you go to Rome, you'll see sun glasses that no one has worn yet and eventually the fashion is spread out all over the place.
So yeah, Europe is small .. countries are smaller and border with other countries, ... perhaps this infulences the fact that they interact a lot with eachother, fashion being one of many things they like to share, I suppose.
Thats not entirely true about Americans.
Depends where you are and who you are.
Most people say to themselves, I know who I am, I don't have to prove it to anyone, this is what I like to wear, I'm only going out to buy eggs, who acres what other people think, I won't see anyone I know anyway because Walmart is huge.
Not like in Europe, you go to your local store and you might see someone you know lol. (live there, i know what I'm talking about).
However, turn on your tv and you have supermodels (american supermodels) and celebrities who dress upand have a million dollar smile :)
SO what you're saying is not entirely wrong but not entirely true either.
Places like New York, its filled , overflown with different ethnic groups and different styles! People ARE THEMSELVES.
They wear what they like! which makes them an individual!.
We don't all wear the same thing, meaning.. we don't get stares from some snob that thinks 'oh god.. what is SHE wearing'.
Well, yes. it depends yet again what kinda people you're dealing with.
But to get to the pont finally.
Americans are just very laid back. We don't pretend to be somethnig we are not.. (which most people don't seem to understand).
Of course its nice to dress up!.. but we don't force that fact..
if we don't wanna, then we don't wanna.
The United States Of AMerica is HUGE..
Australia is i think 10% smaller.. ITS BIG!
So ..you cant say ALL americans dress this way or the other.
Everyone is different, its one big country with different people, different ideas, different opinions, different fashion!
In california,florida all costal areas are very 'beachy' ..and in Colorado and mountinous places fashion yet again is very different.
So, it all depends..Americans are the friendliest people..who are very laid back..
I can't really come to a conclusion here because all I can say is.. America is huge .. with so many different kindsa people.
SO you're generalising like many people always do about us.

Answer 4

Well....you know what? I lived in Ireland for 2 years and I have to say that we Americans groom ourselves much better than they do. Of course, there are some of us who do dress poorly, but if you were to take a cross-section of each population I think we would come out on top. I saw SO many people in tracksuits in Ireland.

I'm 25 and people my age here in the USA definitely pay more attention to their appearance than do the Irish. I love the Irish, but these were my observations.

Answer 5

We can dress however we like. Some people just like to be comfortable. Not all Americans dress sloppy. I'm sure it's the same where you come from.

Answer 6

I kind of agree. But not all americans dress like that. I should know because I live in a quiet little town where most people dress nice. But of course along with the humane people, there are gangsters... etc.

Answer 7

I think people wear what they like. It is Americans sense of style. It is fashion and comfortable.

Answer 8

I think that this is a very insulting and rude question and I do not appreciate it...and also I don't think u were in america long enough to be judging us by what we wear or what we act like so go ask some one who cares!

Answer 9

What??? People can dress how they like!!! I'm American and i don't dress sloppy but that don't matter cuz its the kinda person you are that counts, not how you dress!!!

Answer 10

i can't stand people who let their a** hang outof their pants or their jeans down to their knees or 12 year olds who dreess like hookers how do their parents let them out of the house like that?