The Grown-Up Uniform

Historically, this concept referred to the socially prescribed 'uniform' of adulthood, defined by specific dress codes and behaviors, which has largely disappeared today.

Explored in an article titled 'Fashion is a Costume: Trashing the Grown-Up Uniform,' this concept highlights that in the past, dressing was a 'status declaration,' and becoming an adult meant donning a specific 'uniform.' The author gives the example of a 22-year-old civil servant in the 1960s who would have been expected to wear a suit to work, certainly not shorts. These clothes weren't considered 'old-fashioned' but 'adult,' conveying society's message to individuals: 'You are no longer a child; adopt a serious demeanor.'

Today, it is emphasized that this 'grown-up uniform' has vanished. The article notes that a 45-year-old CEO and an 18-year-old university student might share similar dressing styles (sneakers, jeans, graphic tees). This phenomenon is described as 'the mixing of ages,' and it suggests that with the discarding of the adult costume, 'eternal adolescence' has emerged. This concept elucidates the powerful influence of dress codes on social roles and the perception of age.