Imagine a place where all the men have jobs, or are at least working hard to find one. They wear suits and shower every day. It is a land where chivalry is not dead, but rather is the norm. Women bakes pies and football is a religion. When you are invited to a social gathering, you RSVP, dress up and arrive on time. People know both their senators and state representatives by name. Afternoons are spent sipping sweet tea in porch rocking chairs and when the sun goes down, fireflies dance in the sticky night air. Weekends are spent with the family, all in matching polos on the family sailboat. When people walk down the street, they walk on a mission. They are going somewhere. Welcome to Washington, D.C.
I love Oregon and the whole west coast for that matter. I really do. I love our obsession with organic veggies, recycling, weekend hiking, world-class mirco brews and awe-inspiring mountain ranges. But there comes a point where the whole Birkenstock wearing, optional showering and shaving (no gender difference there), facial piercings, fixed gear bike riding and a complete lack of manners thing drives me crazy. When you meet someone, you should call them Mr., Mrs. or Miss. When you eat, use a napkin and by all means, close your mouth when you’re chewing. When attending a show like a a theater performance, do not under any circumstance wear jeans or sweatshirts. After attending a social event, write the host a thank you card, a HANDWRITTEN thank you card. Going to a wedding? Men, that means a suit jacket, tie and shoes (closed-toed shoes, not sandals). Ladies, shave your legs, put on a dress and wear heels. Why this is so difficult, I really don’t know. There are very simple, basic things that we can all do.
One of the largest ingredients in a culture is fashion and style. They way people dress, the way they decorate or speak to one another all contributes to a society’s culture. When I think of east coast culture of this of class and elegance. I think of Jackie Kennedy. To me, she embodies east coast culture. For better or for worse, right or wrong, the truth is that the way you dress and the way you present yourself is important for how others view you. Now don’t go thinking I’m all superficial. I’m not saying appearance is everything, but I am saying that it contributes to first impressions which have a huge impact in how someone receives you. After someone meets you and they get to know you, it will be your true inner self that will make the friendship last or not. As the delightful Emily Post once said,
“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” -Mark Twain
Cute classy and modest clothing can be difficult to find on this side of the country.
Here are some items my inner east coast self is pining for:
Perfect for carrying items necessary for a sailing day trip.
Love. Love. Love.
Can you seriously vacation without this?
Naturally I would wear this with the hat pictured above to the Carolina Cup. Now if I could only find me a man in a suit with a job…in Portland.
But alas, I am in Oregon and for now, and that is fine by me. Driving to work with views of Mt. Hood isn’t so rough and besides there’s only 153 days till the Oregon football opener.
Reminder: Life is not about coveting material items, but I appreciate pretty things and seriously girls…everything in moderation.
Carol said:
I love you
krhodey said:
And I love you! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.
Lauren @ thelittlethingswedo.blogspot.com said:
this post made me smile. while i do love portland style, it is rare that i actually see much of it. i’m all for laid back west coast fashions, but shorts and flip flops to a wedding do not count. when we went to on a roadtrip this last summer we went to the OSU V.S. TCU football game in texas and i was totally in love with dallas. everyone (seriously EVERYONE!) looked like they put effort into what they were wearing and that was just for a football game! i loved how football was like a religion too. i love college football, so i think i would love it there….for awhile anyway. i’ve never been to DC though…maybe one day.
P.S. hope you find that man w/ a suit and a job :).
krhodey said:
Haha! Thank you for your well wishes. I hope I find him too. And don’t worry, we can still be friends even if you do root for the Beavers. 🙂
Lauren @ thelittlethingswedo.blogspot.com said:
haha! glad we can still be friends despite the rivalry :).
Jenna said:
Love this! I completely agree – save the nylon factor. And, heels that are too high. But yes, I absolutely think we are lacking in social graces and attention to fashion in this neck of the woods. And other necks I’ve lived (Austin). Could be my English and east coast roots.
An example: We had three people RSVP to our wedding who didn’t show up. There was no emergency. No illness. Just decided not to come that day. I came very close to sending them an invoice to cover the $130 a plate dinners for which we footed the bill. Not sure what Emily Post would’ve said about that move though…
You RSVP, you show up on time.
And jeans to a Sunday afternoon symphony? Just a little effort would be nice, especially for the folks on stage to see.
Great blog post, my dear! Keep ’em coming!
krhodey said:
Thank you Jenna. Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 I am astounded by your story. So rude and disrespectful (and on a very happy day for you both). Can’t imagine why people think it is OK to behave in such a manner. I completely agree with you. I suppose all we can do is lead by example. Hope you are enjoying this sunny weekend.
Angela Seits said:
Kristina, I’m glad that you wrote this post. Growing up in Oregon, I’ve often felt like an “odd duck” because I love men in suits and preppy clothing brands, admire Emily Post (and her great-granddaughter Anna Post), believe in the importance of “putting on my face” before going out, and enjoy tennis, boating and an idyllic lifestyle that still exists in some parts of the country. I often feel an affinity to the Southeast for the same reasons that you love D.C. It’s always nice to know of fellow Oregonians who wouldn’t mock me for carrying an umbrella and dressing up for the theater.
Melissa Lion said:
I think I’ve written versions of this same post maybe 10 times over the course of the four years I’ve lived here. I cannot believe people go to the theater in jeans. It’s really horrible.
But I don’t think you need to buy new things to have grace and tact. It’s a state of mind and something Portlanders find it very easy to lose track of.
Also, the lateness. GET A WATCH, PORTLAND.
krhodey said:
True indeed Melissa. I fully recognize that I do not need these things, I simply want them. 🙂 Hehe.