Where did all the eccentrics go?

Lucca

Going to the shops in pyjamas is not eccentric. It’s just lazy.

There speaks a woman after my own heart.

My style is quite bohemian...I am an ancient hippy

Thank goodness there are still people who are courageous enough to put 2 fingers up at society, even if dropping the kids off at school whilst wearing PJs is utterly superficial. Why an earth are GNs getting hot under the collar about it? How eccentric! In my part of Yorkshire, there are plenty of eccentric people. Nowt wrong wi' that. I used to take my kids to school in my PJs in the 1990s. Just covered up with a maxi coat. Then I could get back into bed with a cup of coffee and do some reading for my degree course. Bliss!

I tend to agree.
Rather pjs than spending ages checking to see how eccentric one looks before going out.

As mentioned upthread, true eccentricity is more than just outward appearances, it’s intrinsic behaviour out of the norm, living your whole life unlike anyone else. Quentin Crisp was a wonderful example of British eccentricity and I do believe TV in Ye olden days had more eccentrics appearing than now. Yes there’s Mary Beard and Paton’s strange manner, but still…

Hope these shoppers in pyjamas have showered or washed first. Would not fancy them touching unwrapped fruit and veg.

An elderly aunt of mine went out in her nightdress the other day - she was retuned to her flat by the Police! Maybe if she was wearing pyjamas she’d have been ok.

She needs some loungewear.
Nobody can tell the difference.

Oh, I almost forgot!
A red hat, too.

GagaJo I'm often in the 'Oh, f*ck it' mood too. Having a nice shower - then putting on clean PJs just seems sensible and comfortable - until I want to go out, then I'll get dressed.

Since Covid lockdowns, I'll garden in PJs too, I really don't care - but then I'll get very dressed up for the rare social occasions- just for a change.

That was a bit random, Jerseygal ?

I think most of the eccentric people live in America these days, and shop in Walmart.
I'm quite disappointed when I do venture out to Asda (supposedly the English Walmart) and everyone is ordinarily dressed.
I think, however, shopping in my pj's is not something I'll be taking on any time soon!!

Deedaa

I used to know a proper upper class eccentric when I lived in Cornwall. I can't remember her title now - she was Lady somebody - but she would come striding into a room wearing a mac and wellies and shake hands saying "Hello, I'm Jonet the spelling mistake!". Her father had registered her birth and her should have been Janet! She was lovely and interested in everything.

Jonet is still alive and well (just!) I have known her for nearly 40 years now - she is wonderful! I am godmother to one of her grandsons.

MissAdventure

I can't think of anything worse than gangs of self acclaimed eccentrics taking to the streets.

We were outside a hotel in Worthing a few years ago, waiting to go on somewhere when about 100 Hell's Angels came past on glorious bikes. Not one of them was under about 70!

Oh that sounds wonderful, though.
The wind in their hair, the metal throbbing between their thighs! Oooh!

For my Birthday We had a lovely afternoon tea in a rather smart Hotel on the next table the couple had come from the spa still wearing dressing gowns and slippers.

I saw a woman and little toddler catching a flight wearing their Jimjams, once.
Makes sense, I suppose.

GagaJo

I don't really give a damn what other people are wearing. Or what I'm wearing, come to that. I do occasionally look in the mirror and think, 5 years ago you were attractive, well dressed and 'styled'. Then I think 'Oh, F* it' and carry on being a slob.

There was a person in the town I used to live in, appeared to be male, may not have been. Wore a combination of mens and women's clothes. Always had lovely earrings. Also used to be a fair number of dramatically dressed goths. And (casting back into the mists of time), I remember living on the Kings Road and seeing all the lovely punks.

Wish I had the energy for creativity really. Meh.

I’m with you on that GagaJo, last five years I’ve gone from being a very well turned out person to jeans and puffa jacket with hair tied up. I changed jobs about then and am just so tired all the time, that’s what I put it down to anyway.

am i eccentric? no idea, but i wear doc martins, harem trousers, some of which are brightly coloured (not both together!) love bright colours and often get strange/disapproving looks. oh yes, and i'm the wrong side of 80 (just)!

Eccentricity is interesting
Pyjamas is slouchy something you ve been sleeping in

Great catlady I love ethnic prints, baggy dungarees, doc martens, not quite up to your double figures but not too far off

Many years ago when I first graduated I worked as a personal secretary to a consultant child psychiatric. She frequently wore strange outfits including hand knitted aran knickerbockers and a deerstalker hat. She was very eccentric and so clever. All the other doctors thought she was bonkers.

Here I am!

How are you an eccentric Tanja?
Do tell!

Pyjamas are not at all eccentric, just slack. Equivalent to the old days when some would go out with rollers in their hair and a headscarf. Yuk. I have never seen anyone in PJs here, ever though some wear bathers in the beach suburbs. Not many here but a few up in Queensland but I don’t really care about that.

I am glad someone else has noticed this. Where are the colourful, funky people? I was sitting in the car in the High Street the other day and only one person walked past who had given any thought to her clothes. Most other people were in hoodies and jeans just like it's a uniform. It's really sad, especially when you look back at the sixties and seventies there was so much color and fun.