Enough of dressing down already!

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/timelessclassics/reversiblebowtie.tem

I read recently that there is set to be a backlash against 'dressing down'.  Now, to stand out, dresssing up is the thing.  I personally mourn the loss of smartly dressed men and I'm excited to see whether the backlash will  really take root.  Give me a man in a shirt and blazer over a T-shirt and shorts anytime! However, living in California means I'm just as likley to spot a smartly dressed gentleman, as I am to spot a Yeti on Venice beach.  And it all started in the workplace in this very state.  The  IT boom in silicone valley in the late 90's early 00's  saw the popularity of 'Casual Fridays' run a muck with what was acceptable attire for the office.  It was all downhill from there.

The prevalence of 'dressing down' isn't rampant only among men, but women too.  It does seem that California girls cant wait to get their clothes off.  Not always  literally of course, but the difference between what Californian and European girls wear is staggeringly different. This is not to say that I think Californians dont dress well, I admire the laid back, pacific-breeze-cool attitude.  I just mean that most Europeans couldn't pull it off.  The attitude is too different.  I never thought id see the day when i would quote Katy Perry (but here goes); in her song California girls, she captures the essence of the California cool, beach loving influence on fashion with the lines  'fine, fresh, fierce.....daisy dukes, bikini on top'.  Clearly I'm European, i had to look up who and what daisy dukes were (and I'm scared to find out what someones Popsicle is!)  But yes, cut-off jean shorts and a bikini top are the norm here in summer.

Despite all this, it is good to see such a historic and iconic american store revamp one of the most eccentric and traditional item that might exist in a mans wardrobe; the Bow Tie.  Just look how fab and different these are!  Hopefully they are seen as so cool, that some California dudes adopt them and make me smile.