Rational dress nowadays
London Marathon this year (2025) was held on 27 April when the temperature was around 19–24°C during most of the daytime, with the lowest of around 10–12°C. For most people it is a typical warm but not too hot temperature, so you can see some people opt for long sleeves all over their body while not a few people choose short and even with open-toe sandals. The runners on that day, of course, ran with their running shoes, but after finishing the race, some of them changed to flip flops.
There was once a campaign in the UK’s history organised by a group called The Rational Dress Society in 1881, which aimed,
‘to promote the adoption, according to individual taste and convenience, of a style of dress based upon considerations of health, comfort, and beauty, and to deprecate constant changes of fashion, which cannot be recommended on any of these grounds’.
More than a century ago, people especially women’s dresses might look very nice and elegant, but as kind of fashion it could reinforce the so-called lady’s behaviours so that what men could do like cycling was highly restricted, or accidents could happen.
The reform which was called for at that time, for me, is how we can get dressed in much more causal way, not only for women but also for men. However, it doesn’t mean no more restrictions were imposed, or total freedom can be achieved. As we can see in the schools and workplaces, and some people still express themselves their preference of disliking some ways of dressing and even without respect.
While I do agree that fashion can guide one’s lifestyle and behaviour, fashion can be a kind of social control which may not be good for everyone. As a man I did know a lot about the trend of fashion especially for male, to be honest I find they cannot fit me. I would prefer the most relax, comfortable and minimal ways of dressing which can both define my own self but also make me happier. I want to be myself.
Back to the marathon case, that people switching to another shoes is a very common phenomenon. It makes sense because only running shoes can allow me to run, just like when I am working in a garden or construction site I must need a boot to protect myself. Although running shoes are thin for the feet to breathe, it would be much better if a runner takes these off to flip flops. I also saw a speaker who wore her open-toe shoes to the venue, and changed to another more beautiful shoes with much higher heels when she was presenting. No shoes are the best so when striving a balance between functionality, comfort and the nature of the events, switching shoes is already the best way.
That’s why after I finish running I would switch to sandals too.
The clothes and footwear can be changing all the time. Some people may choose to conform the norms, some people don’t care at all, and some will try to strive a balance. You will see the footwear and fashion that you hate. The best way to deal with is to not keep seeing them. You can have your opinions while you can respect. This is a kind of personal preference which, in almost every case, is of no bad impact on your life. A guy who dresses so causally can be professional and elegant. Maybe try observing people on the streets as you will realize there are endless ways of dressing.
Just like what I talked before that people like me can wear short pants in low temperatures like 10–15°C. Some people have summer clothes with coats to cope with outdoor winter weather with much warmer indoors with heaters. Of course you can still choose your own way to keep warm and look smart.
When you travel to some countries like Myanmar, most people wear sandals considering the hot weather throughout the year, and the convenience of taking shoes frequently when they visit temples in which any footwear is not allowed.
I love to see how people can make sandals become the shoes which are no longer limited to swimming and at home: comfortable, practical and even more fashionable, elegant in different circumstances. A kind of creativity that should be encouraged!
