What to Wear? RVing Dress Code

The less people know about how sausages and laws are made, the better they'll sleep at night.

Confused about dress codes?  Well, if so, you're not the only one.  Some folks don't know how to dress and others just think they do.  That's why people watching is so popular I guess.   We all get a chuckle out of watching people who don't conform to how we think they should dress.  If you're concerned about being laughed at by others people watching, then check out the following combinations you'll definitely want to avoid.  If any of these fit you, you just might want to change before pulling into a 5 star RV park. 

Many of us over 50 (and some WAY over 50) are quite confused today about how we should present ourselves. Feeling 'young', we try to conform to current fashions and present a youthful image. Contrary to what you may have seen on the streets, the following combinations DO NOT go together and should be avoided at all costs:

1. A nose ring and bifocals
2. Spiked hair and bald spots
3. A pierced tongue and dentures
4. Miniskirts and support hose
5. Ankle bracelets and corn pads
6. Speedos and cellulite
7. A belly button ring and a gall bladder surgery scar
8. Unbuttoned disco shirts and a heart monitor
9. Midriff shirts and a midriff bulge
10. Bikinis and liver spots
11. Mini skirts and varicose veins
And, Most importantly

At some point you have to give up the 'DAISY DUKE' shorts

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I remember when we first started this RVing adventure, I thought there was a dress code.  Well, at least I read something on one of the RVing forums about it. I just tried to go back and find the blog I wrote about my struggle at that time wanting to “blend” with the proper attire but alas I couldn’t find it. 

It took a while for me to discover that trying to dress like someone else just didn’t work.  There is no RV dress code.   I didn’t really have a lot of leisure clothes.  With the onset of business casual in the workplace, that’s what I had.  Out went anything too dressy and out went anything too casual.  The middle of the road was a safe bet for just about everything. I didn’t own a single pair of blue jeans or a single pair of tennis shoes or even t-shirts.  I think part of it was because working for an airline we weren’t allowed to wear those things either at work or traveling on a plane.  So, why have them?

 

After reading the article about the RVing dress code, I went shopping.  I bought a couple pairs of blue jeans but just couldn’t quite do the tennis shoe thing.  However, I’m sure you know there are lots of alternatives to tennis shoes.  Some of those shoes snap and some buckle or slide on.  They really don’t look like tennis shoes.  I got into the Eccos and the Keens.  Besides wasn’t comfort supposed to count?   After my new purchases I was ready to get in our RV and GO or so I thought.  The jeans just weren’t my thing.  My body just was molded the same way those jeans were.  Get the drift?

Other people looked good in jeans but not me.  Before long the jeans were tucked away. I’ve learned to like the capri jeans but the othersI just couldn't adapt to.  I must admit that Terry has the same problem too.   He didn't have a lot of leisure clothes either.  I guess you really can't teach old dogs new tricks.

 

<--- This photo is small for a reason!!  Talk about looking sloppy.  Terry and I look like a couple of slobs.  Lee and MJ look great but we really hit the gutter in this one.  I’m almost embarrassed to post it but it does make a point. 

My style has definitely changed from the work days.  I've moved into the little Adidas and Nike type stretchy thingamajigs and capris.  Those are my clothes of choice I think.  Not only can you dress them up and dress them down, they also stretch with you after a big RVing meal with friends.  In my mind, that's most important --

My daughter has now been on me to buy another pair of jeans … oh no ... not blue jeans but black or gray or something different.  It's a compromise so, I’m going to try again.  After all, they might just be the best alternative when on our quads and for keeping me warm. I've also been told I need a pair of bulkier shoes -- ugh.   However, if I do end up with another pair or two of jeans, this time it’s not because I think that I should conform to someone else’s dress code. I'm just flapping my wings and trying something different .... different for me, that is.

Are we creatures of habits?  We shop the same places and buy what we've been used to buying to wear.  I think the dress code of every place you go should be what you are comfortable in.  Clothes shouldn’t be everything but if you’re not comfortable wearing what you want because you feel you might be not fit in, maybe it’s time to get those wheels moving someplace different.  It's taken a bit but at least now I'm back to wearing what I like to wear and not what someone else may think I should wear.

I have an RV friend who wrote on her blog she had counted the number of items she owned.  She had under 100 ITEMS!  Now that’s everything, folks. Everything!!  That even includes her clothes …. shoes, underwear, socks, boots, pants, tops …. EVERYTHING.  So, let’s see if I do go shopping for jeans  - do you think this will put my belongings over 100?  Well,  if you think that, you are very, very wrong.  I was over 100 before I even started.  What about you?  Have you counted each and every article of clothing you own?

**  Update -- I just know this is important for all of you to know.  I DID buy a pair of black jeans. It took a lot of work but I did it.   I even tried them out by wearing the jeans to dinner with Steve and Carol, our new best RV eating buddies. 

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