"What is appropriate dress for a funeral?"

[Zookeeper]

There is quite a long thread on the GD forum which started with this topic (actually called, "Why do Americans always dress like they are headed to the ballpark?") and has morphed into quite a few interesting tangents.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?a2=view.all&address=104x1741293

('Hope I did that right!)

Do you buy the argument that manner of dress should not influence the way a person is perceived? Is your right to be comfortable more important than possibly hurting the feelings of your host/ess or grieving friend? Or should they settle for your inner beauty?

Is etiquette necessary to keep society civil or is it an oppressive, outmoded institution? Is this a horrible waste of time to even discuss because there are more serious problems in the world?

When a woman wears make-up and/or fashionable clothes, does it say something about her self-esteem? Is personal adornment a valid creative expression, or is it buying into our consumer culture?

I've been on that GD thread playing Devil's Advocate for Dolly Parton look-a-likes! And I hardly even wear make-up. I'd love to hear from some creative DU Lounge types....please!