We have become a nation of scruffs!

I’ve always hated having to dress up apart from weddings etc so I’m not bothered that I now can feel it’s ok to not put my glad rags on (not that I have any lol).

I dress to be comfortable. That may or may not be casual or smart depending on the occasion, but many can’t afford to buy something smart just to go to a Matinee.

I quite like to dress up for an occasion, but we went to a London matinee this week and I would have felt overdressed in anything more than smart casual, which is what most people were wearing. I didn't notice anyone who was actually scruffy. Some were more casual than most, but I like the idea that people feel they can wear what they're happy in, rather than be put off the theatre by a dress code.

I hate dressing up - comfort wins every time.

I ve never dressed up and never wanted to, having said that
I ve often been complemented, I m not a scruff I just prefer a more casual approach to dressing
I’ve never owned a long dress or a little black number or a hat it’s just not me
So I m missing nothing

I can’t see why not dressing up requires people to be called scruffs

I agree with you Ealdemodor. I always look at Italian people both on holiday and in the UK and think how come they can do casual but stylish so much better than we do?

We are now a nation of anoraks and jogging bottoms (don’t get me on the shoes) - and I say that as somebody who loves jeans - but likes dressing up too.

I so agree. Smart and casual are words which seem beyond the ken of the average British male.
I am not proposing bowlers and rolled umbrellas but I do like to see a man in a nice bit of tailoring for business wear and they could learn a lot from the Italians when it comes to “smart casual”
Even red carpet do’s when the women can be in stunning long dresses seem to confuse their male partners who will combine jeans with their DJ, and open neck shirts .

There's a lot of us going to West End matinees!
We went end of August. I didn't see anyone scruffy, but most people looked dressed to sit in a theatre for 2hrs 45 mins in comfort. But like a plane really.
But remember as John Lennon said, if you're in the cheap seats clap, if you're not, just rattle your jewellery.

I think I was talking about a wider range of activities than a West End Matinee! Most audiences at matinees are more of a type and an age compared to “regular” serious theatregoers

Regular theatre goers don’t “dress up” -I had in mind events such as Elton John’s White Tie and Tiaras Ball or those trendy young things who frequent the more exclusive clubs like Boujis

I've had 4 theatre visits and 2 classical music concerts since lockdown was lifted and I'd say that, on balance, most of the audiences were dressed smart casual, especially in the summer months when women were wearing lovely summer dresses. Not much difference to pre COVID lockdown from what I recall.

Where could one buy smart casual please?

I agree its all about casual dress now amazing when you think how much money is spent on clothes.

Just wear what you feel happy in, sounds like "scruffy" people are also doing that right?

Everyone gets to wear what they want and everyone's happy.

I love dressing up, but people should wear what they want. The least attractive thing is a judgemental expression!

AmberSpyglass

I love dressing up, but people should wear what they want. The least attractive thing is a judgemental expression!

Absolutely

Last Night of the Proms
Katie Dereham in a spangly frock
Gareth Malone - tennis pumps and no socks.

I rest my case

I dislike the shoes with no socks look favoured by younger men. I also dislike the normal (not sports) socks and sandals look favoured by older men.

As soon as allowed after lockdown we started going out and I was delighted to get dressed up in my lovely dresses. People do what they want and dress how they wish. We do not live in a communist society and wear a uniform.

During lockdown we are all wandering around in our scruffiest clothes round here. Kind of fits. All the makeup is on special, no one bothers with it and they can't sell it! It's been months and months now...

I hate ‘dressing up’ but I do like to dress well . For me that means wearing clothes in colours and styles that suit me , hair washed and styled daily, nails painted and makeup on .
Clothes pressed and boots polished .

In my opinion I look more polished in my casual outfit than somebody who wheels out their LBD on all occasions whether it suits them or not .

Smart and casual are opposites. Smart to me means dressing for a wedding, casual means jogging bottoms etc. Can anyone give me examples of smart casual.

I'm surprised you dressed-up for the theatre - it's simply not necessary.