Next week will be my first time to GA. (Gah! I’m a GA virgin!) So what do people wear? I wanna be able to sit at the cool kids’ table at lunch.
« Blogging from Manuel’s
» Redneck liberation theology
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» Redneck liberation theology
» Redneck liberation theology
ga, UU
So what do you wear to GA?
06.14.07 | 17 Comments
17 Comments
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« Blogging from Manuel’s
» Redneck liberation theology
1st time? I was sure I met you last year. I’m too young to go senile!
Ah. Yeah, I was at the blogger dinner in St. Louis. But I was really in town to spoil my nephew, so I didn’t go to GA. (Did a flyby tour of the bookstore though.)
Peacebang might be the best person to answer this question if you’re trying to make a GOOD impression. But if you want to dress like a pacific northwesterner (*snicker*), just wear some sporty-ish khakis, a fitted tee and carry a lightweight jacket. Comfy shoes, too, so that you can get around fast. Portland has short blocks, but if you want to cross the river on foot (very easy to do - and I highly recommend taking a walk on the Esplanade, which is right next to the convention center), you don’t want uncomfy shoes giving you pause.
Our unofficial colors (regardless of gender): olive, khaki, dark blue, cranberry, off-black and brown. If you wear white people might stare at you! LOL
Seriously, Portlanders dress more for function and potential rain than anything. At GAs I’ve been to in the past, I’ve noticed the men seem to fall mostly into two categories: “These Dockers Make Me Look Hot, Don’t They?” and “I’m a Camp Counselor!” Some folks in suits, too.
Yay! You’re coming to GA!
Oh, and right now the weather is GORGEOUS. It’s supposed to be like this for the next two weeks (and has been like this for the most part for at least a month). Dress for mid to high 70s, moderate humidity, and cooler evenings (low 50s). No rain in the forecast, so leave the umbrella, rain jackets, etc. at home. Try to wear two layers because if you do a lot of walking, you’ll heat up fast.
What have I worn? Black shoes, black socks, black slacks, black shirt, clerical collar and that carefree air Johnny Cash was known for.
Today, I’d wear almost exactly what h.s. suggests swapping polo shirts for the t-shirts, plus one long sleeve shirt for an evening event that’s a tad less casual. (Also, convention centers tend be over-air conditioned for me.) I’d not bother with coat or tie unless you have a professional appointment scheduled. Underpack since nobody cares if you wear something twice.
Heh, I think I might be a Portlander already. (Portlandian? Portlandite?)
I guess that’s the rub. Given my lack of a Johnny Cash air and a black wardrobe, I’m left with a tough decision: t-shirts or polos. (Sounds like jeans are out though.)
Didn’t they tell you, Chutney? This year’s themes is “worst of the 80’s.” We’ll all be in neon parachute pants. Better go get some…
bwahahahaha….
Rev. Sean
MC, oh yeah, I forgot about jeans. Those are good (the DH will be in jeans), but wear the lightweight, cool ones. Not the thick ones! (too hot)?
I would opt for a polo shirt over an ill fitting t-shirt!
RS - NOOO. Several times a week I see some young woman between the ages of 16 and 24 wearing her hair in a SIDE ponytail. And don’t get me started on the acid wash skinny jeans with scuffed YELLOW ballet flats. Egads. The 80s “remix” doesn’t seem to have hit the non female population so much. I think the guys wearing parachute pants now were wearing also wearing them ten years ago.
This year’s themes is “worst of the 80’s.†We’ll all be in neon parachute pants.
Does that include Ministry Days? I might pay to see that.
Whatever it is that you wear, be sure to look out for my buddy Jason Shelton (www.jasonshelton music.com). He’ll be directing a choir or something like that. You guys have similar senses of humor and I think would really enjoy each other.
First question - how many uu t-shirts do you own?
UU t-shirts? None, thank god. T-shirts that kick UU ass? About 5011.
Well then, mister, bring those.
There is only one rule to dressing cool at GA: Do not, under any circumstances, wear an oversized T-shirt with a slogan. If you’re a groupie and proud of it, by all means wear slogan T-shirts; if you’re cool, do not.
I am thinking back fondly to my own groupie days at GA in the mid-90s: I had the long hair, the chalice pendant — it’s true! — and the T-shirt proclaiming “how deeply you’re connected to my soul.” Yes, back then I didn’t know how to let my own inner irony out; earnestness was the coin of the realm, and I paid it dearly.
Of course, this year you’ll see me at least once or twice sporting promotional polo shirts, but otherwise it’s slogan-free for me! (I keep the groupie and the irony deeply buried these days. It helps me stay balanced in the wonderland that is GA.)
Okay. I think I’ve got it now. Pleated parachute pants with a tie-died chalice t-shirt proclaiming my embrace of the eight principle in big, pink neon bubble letters. And a smile.
Is that about right?
That’s it, babe. And you’ll fit right in at Ministry Days. Do you have any Zubaz?
No, but maybe they’ll have some at Target.