was in a bar the other night, an embarrassingly late attendee at a leaving "do". One of the two girls I arrived with gave the room a once-over. She then remarked - as only someone past the age of 30 would - how it seemed to be a stomping ground for Bermuda's beautiful people.

I looked around and, quite frankly, didn't see it. Admittedly, some of the patrons were attractive but their numbers were no greater than would be found in any random sample of the population.

Some had youth on their side, some looked to be in great physical condition, but that was it. From my perspective, the only obvious characteristic they shared is that they were well dressed, appropriately outfitted for the upscale location.

I've always had the impression that Bermudians understood the importance of occasion. Recently I've begun to wonder where that impression ever came from.

Surprisingly, or maybe not at all surprisingly considering women have greater fashion options than men, most of the offenders are female.

Walking along a Hamilton street recently at 11 a.m., I was shocked to come across a woman dressed in what she obviously considered appropriate business attire ? stiletto heels, fishnet stockings and a very short, clingy dress. I know she was dressed for "business" as her male companion was outfitted in a suit and each carried a briefcase.

I've had the pleasure of observing similar displays in the few offices I've worked. One that quickly springs to mind is a woman who, on a casual day, felt it perfectly acceptable to sport a mesh-like top, its holes large enough to expose her skin underneath.

I must admit her choice on that day wasn't a complete surprise, her wardrobe on normal working days showed only a slight improvement.

One of the few perks of being a newspaper reporter is that we don't have to shell out a heap of money on clothes.

My work attire is, for the most part, my play attire. I don't own anything resembling a suit. Unless I am attending a formal event, interviewing heads of state, or a forced presence at a dreary press conference, if you see me in a dress or heels, it's by choice.

Of course, allow any group that latitude and there will be someone in the bunch who takes advantage.

I recall a reporter whose fashion style incurred the wrath of Government officials after she dared attend a meeting of Parliament, the waist of her pants low enough to expose the top of her underpants.

At last year's reading of the Throne Speech most of us were dressed to the nines. We had, after all, been informed in advance of the strict security for the day and the expected standard of dress, by Government's protocol officers. The magnitude of the event however, seemed to elude a couple of male reporters. Confident that their presence would be welcomed no matter what their attire, they opted for jeans. Not with jackets, as one cameraman did, but with t-shirts ? the result akin to pub attire.

I understand that clothing is relatively expensive in Bermuda.

I don't think poverty is the reason for the gross offences I see on a regular basis ? the size of one's bank account doesn't partner an appreciation of etiquette. I can't pretend to appreciate everyone's sense of style. Nor should anyone appreciate mine but I am not talking about taste in clothing.

I've heard many nasty comments about overweight people baring their midriff in the summer months. Hey, if they're on the beach or similar venue, I have no problem with that.

We should all love the skin we're in. I'm very thankful we have laws in place that prevent us from experiencing common practice in the United States ? I would hate to walk through the City of Hamilton and see men without shirts, their bellies hanging over their waistbands.