Mess Dress Rules
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Surely if we recruited more carefully to weed out the council-estate hoody-wearing type we wouldn't need the petty stupid rules to dictate to those of us who benefitted from a decent upbringing.
On the flip side, I find that those most pedantic towards mess dress rules are the sort of people who wouldn't see the wrong in wearing tailored shorts with socks and shoes. Or, indeed, wouldn't know the difference between Jermyn Street or aisle 3 of George at Asda. Its supposed to be a comfortable home for our hard-working personnel, not a snobby pensioners golf-club, for people with no dress sense anyway.
On the flip side, I find that those most pedantic towards mess dress rules are the sort of people who wouldn't see the wrong in wearing tailored shorts with socks and shoes. Or, indeed, wouldn't know the difference between Jermyn Street or aisle 3 of George at Asda. Its supposed to be a comfortable home for our hard-working personnel, not a snobby pensioners golf-club, for people with no dress sense anyway.
Tailored shorts with shoes and socks - oh dear me no! One would look like some aged Malaysian rubber plantation owner....
Who was that appallingly dressed 1950's lounge lizard in your post, FJ2ME?
Who was that appallingly dressed 1950's lounge lizard in your post, FJ2ME?
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: ISLE OF MAN
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Really! I thought he looked rather smart.
Have you ever noticed that adverts for Farrah slacks are always accompanied by a drawing rather than a photograph?
Sensibly though, one can look smart even in casual attire, and it is important to remember the bigger picture. You represent a service to be proud of (!?)
Last week, we had some visiting lecturers. I turned up in a jacket, shirt and tie. the Jacket went on the back of the chair. Everyone else (i.e. my senior officers) turned up looking like a bag of Daz.
At least I know I left the right impression.
Have you ever noticed that adverts for Farrah slacks are always accompanied by a drawing rather than a photograph?
Sensibly though, one can look smart even in casual attire, and it is important to remember the bigger picture. You represent a service to be proud of (!?)
Last week, we had some visiting lecturers. I turned up in a jacket, shirt and tie. the Jacket went on the back of the chair. Everyone else (i.e. my senior officers) turned up looking like a bag of Daz.
At least I know I left the right impression.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hoodies and jeans are not worn exclusively by council estate scruffs and chavs.
If ‘officers’ lack such moral courage that they feel they have to wear pink shirts and red cords in order to fit in then the Air Force should take a good look at it’s recruiting standards.
The military needs to grow up and get up to date with regards to mess standards. Standards are all well and good but unnecessary prejudices are... well, …. unnecessary!
If ‘officers’ lack such moral courage that they feel they have to wear pink shirts and red cords in order to fit in then the Air Force should take a good look at it’s recruiting standards.
The military needs to grow up and get up to date with regards to mess standards. Standards are all well and good but unnecessary prejudices are... well, …. unnecessary!
"Hoodies and jeans are not worn exclusively by council estate scruffs and chavs."
Nevertheless, they are clearly not suitable attire for an officer to wear in the mess.
Next thing you know, they'll be letting in yobs with tatoos and facial scrap iron...
Nevertheless, they are clearly not suitable attire for an officer to wear in the mess.
Next thing you know, they'll be letting in yobs with tatoos and facial scrap iron...
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BEags, the picture came from some tailor's website showing the different possibilities for evening wear:
http://www.davanti.net/template.php?pg=tuxedos
And PUO, I am prepared to accept that maybe not all hoody-wearers are chavs. However, a significant number are (see Crimewatch website below- alright its not a hoody but near enough)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/crime/crimewatch/appeals.shtml
On the other side, it is certain that a pink shirt- wearing, mulberry cord-sporting chap is a fine upstanding gentleman and is never seen on the pages of crimewatch!
I agree with STANDTO, there is no better first impression a man can make than to turn up dressed smartly. Conversely no worse impression than can be made turning up looking like trailer-park trash.
I suppose then, PUO, you turned up to OASC sporting your latest sk8er gear rather than a suit?
In general, those who feel uncomfortable in a suit have suffered one of 2 problems:
1. They have had the misfortune to consult a poor tailor.
2. They have previously had cause to wear a suit only for harrowing occassions such as court cases.
http://www.davanti.net/template.php?pg=tuxedos
And PUO, I am prepared to accept that maybe not all hoody-wearers are chavs. However, a significant number are (see Crimewatch website below- alright its not a hoody but near enough)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/crime/crimewatch/appeals.shtml
On the other side, it is certain that a pink shirt- wearing, mulberry cord-sporting chap is a fine upstanding gentleman and is never seen on the pages of crimewatch!
I agree with STANDTO, there is no better first impression a man can make than to turn up dressed smartly. Conversely no worse impression than can be made turning up looking like trailer-park trash.
I suppose then, PUO, you turned up to OASC sporting your latest sk8er gear rather than a suit?
In general, those who feel uncomfortable in a suit have suffered one of 2 problems:
1. They have had the misfortune to consult a poor tailor.
2. They have previously had cause to wear a suit only for harrowing occassions such as court cases.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hoodies and jeans are not worn exclusively by council estate scruffs and chavs. If ‘officers’ lack such moral courage that they feel they have to wear pink shirts and red cords in order to fit in then the Air Force should take a good look at it’s recruiting standards. The military needs to grow up and get up to date with regards to mess standards. Standards are all well and good but unnecessary prejudices are... well, …. unnecessary!
My sober point is this:
I fully agree that extremes of fashion should not be allowed in the mess but how can you define these?
Why are red cords acceptable but smart jeans are not?
Jeans are hardly an extreme of fashion
Edited to say:
I suppose then, PUO, you turned up to OASC sporting your latest sk8er gear rather than a suit?
I think i missed the point with the Crimewatch link too
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: ISLE OF MAN
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Easy that one!
Jeans look SH*te!!
I have stopped wearing them, other than for gardening and going to the tip. It isn't a great deal of effort to put on a shirt, and a tie when appropriate.
I might say, that red cords would be pushing the boundaries for me!
Jeans look SH*te!!
I have stopped wearing them, other than for gardening and going to the tip. It isn't a great deal of effort to put on a shirt, and a tie when appropriate.
I might say, that red cords would be pushing the boundaries for me!
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jeans look S**te on older people, because it makes them look like they're trying to be younger than they are. The main problem is that two generations now have very different ideas of what looks smart. I have this argument with my (much older) dad all the time.
I-C
I-C
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: By my keyboard
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mr STANDTO and others
What planet are you lot on. Join the real world. Things change poeple change. Move with the times.
If I were a serviceman then I would be moaning about lack of equipment / money etc, not gossiping like old wind bags about some Derby and Joan Club.
What planet are you lot on. Join the real world. Things change poeple change. Move with the times.
If I were a serviceman then I would be moaning about lack of equipment / money etc, not gossiping like old wind bags about some Derby and Joan Club.
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: ISLE OF MAN
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
that'll be why you're not a serviceman then
Seriously though, this isn't about the supply of kit, it is about own personal standards.
If the current CDS turned up at Downing Street in an FCUK t shirt and GAP jeans, set off with Typhoon trainers, then we would probably manage a couple of gliders
Seriously though, this isn't about the supply of kit, it is about own personal standards.
If the current CDS turned up at Downing Street in an FCUK t shirt and GAP jeans, set off with Typhoon trainers, then we would probably manage a couple of gliders
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: By my keyboard
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Me I am ex-service. Did enjoy most of my time.
However you do not just have to be in the services to maintain personal standards.
But you have to move with the times. The last few years that I had in the mod included long periods away from home, long and unsociable (sorry about spelling) hours. Too much make do. Too much bullsh*t for a modern service. During this period the quicker I could get off the base the better. You need time away from work and to me that included prancing around in a mess with silly rules left over from the fifties.
To me the secret to enjoy life in the modern air force is to have a life outside of it. Get rid of all messes (Officer and SNCO) and spend the money saved on the front line.
However you do not just have to be in the services to maintain personal standards.
But you have to move with the times. The last few years that I had in the mod included long periods away from home, long and unsociable (sorry about spelling) hours. Too much make do. Too much bullsh*t for a modern service. During this period the quicker I could get off the base the better. You need time away from work and to me that included prancing around in a mess with silly rules left over from the fifties.
To me the secret to enjoy life in the modern air force is to have a life outside of it. Get rid of all messes (Officer and SNCO) and spend the money saved on the front line.
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: ISLE OF MAN
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That is an interesting view, and you are probably right that the mess hasn't evolved as well as it might. However, it is an important place, where personnel can socialise without interference from the outside world. The demise of the Police Club hasn't done police forces any good, as that certain bonding and feeling of belonging has been watered down. The services aren't just a job. They are a way of life, for very good reasons.
No offence meant with the 'not in the services' dig. Just a bit of banter
best wishes
No offence meant with the 'not in the services' dig. Just a bit of banter
best wishes