Who Is to Say What's Proper?

Alice's Mother: Where is your corset? And no stockings!
Alice: I'm against them.
AM: But you are not properly dressed.
A: Who's to say what's proper? What if it were agreed that "proper" meant wearing a codfish on your head? Would you wear it?
AM: Alice.
A: To me a corset is like a codfish.

Honestly, I am of two minds on what is "proper" dress.

1. One should dress appropriate to the season, venue, and event; one should dress appropriate to one's body type.

[i.e., leggings are not pants - the outline of your genitalia should be covered in public; grown men should not wear short pants in the City; do not wear hiking gear to the Opera or Ballet; socks and sandals are just plain out - pick one and stick with it; belly-bands, whale-tails, rear-cleavage (of either gender), undergarments (thongs, whale-tails, bra straps, knickers) should be covered (the occasional waistband while reaching or bending is going to happen, but should be minimised)].

2. Constricting garments, clothing that restrict free movement, and articles that provide nothing more than discomfort are unnecessary. Certainly anything that produces pain in the body should be avoided.

There are rules to Fashion, but these "rules" are for those who either have no sense of their own, or are too timid to explore. Rules are made to be broken, but to do so, one must first have an understanding of them, otherwise, it's not so much an instance of being rebellious, but merely being ignorant, which is never acceptable.

Find your style - try different modes of dress - but always be aware of how it looks on you, how it makes you feel. Be aware of the image you are presenting to others, not because of what their opinion may be of you, but to be sure that it is, in fact, the image you want to present. If you are confident in what you are wearing, get it; if you aren't, then it's probably not for you. Don't be lazy in your presentation. Just as a chef can make even the most simple dishes appear to be haute cuisine, so should you with yourself. Take the time to put yourself together, for your comfort, for your appearance, for your confidence, for your sanity. 

Once on, you should be able to forget your wardrobe; if you are constantly adjusting your costume, then it's not working. It should appear effortlessly worn, but not sloppy. If you can do that, then you've found your look; you've found what is "proper" for you, and the rest of the world will look upon you with approval. 

Not that you need it, right?