Why Don't We Dress for Dinner Anymore?

In the 14th episode and final installment of Why Don't We Dress for Dinner Anymore, Teddi and Melissa dive into the polarizing world of holiday themed clothing, starting with Teddi's genuinely ugly Christmas sweater complete with bells and strategic rips. They dissect why certain professions (teachers and HR professionals, anyone?) seem drawn to pumpkin sweatshirts, turkey earrings, and light-up ornament accessories, debating whether these festive displays signal "I'm safe and approachable" or "I'm secretly wild and crazy underneath my mild-mannered exterior." The conversation takes a hilarious turn when they blame the Von Trapp family for starting the matching pajamas trend, questioning what Instagram has done to our holiday authenticity and whether those perfectly orchestrated family photos in identical sleepwear represent genuine festivity or carefully manicured performances. In their Style It or Pile It segment, Melissa confronts a Thailand souvenir dress she hasn't worn in six years, leading to a discussion about vacation shopping mistakes and the pressure to upcycle versus just letting go. As Teddi and Melissa sign off for the final time, they reflect on the incredible journey of producing this show together and the joy it brought them to explore fashion, vulnerability, and why we stopped dressing up in America. Thank you to all our listeners for joining us on this adventure. Happy holidays, stay fashionable, and keep asking why!Follow Teddi, Melissa, and the show on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@teddilovesfashion⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@the.melissa.fierce⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@getdressedfordinner⁠⁠⁠

In the 13th episode of season 3, Teddi and Melissa sit down with Chicago fashion producer and former fashion model, Maxi Black, who's reimagining the entire industry model from the ground up at MM Productions. The conversation dives deep into why the "build your portfolio" mentality exploits creatives, how the pay-to-play model has infiltrated fashion shows, and why sponsorship and patronage might be the only sustainable path forward for emerging designers. They explore the stark reality that most fashion creatives in Chicago work multiple exhausting day jobs, leaving them depleted and unable to pursue their passion with full energy. The discussion takes a philosophical turn when they connect fashion to agency, vulnerability, and authenticity, asking why Americans have stopped dressing up and whether our collective exhaustion has made us afraid of choice itself. From decision fatigue caused by fast fashion overload to Teddi's hilarious $10 Shein disaster, this episode examines why quality over quantity matters and how upcycling and vintage shopping offer both novelty and sustainability. Follow Maxi at @maxiinoir and @mproductions.llcFollow Teddi, Melissa, and the show on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@teddilovesfashion⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@the.melissa.fierce⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@getdressedfordinner⁠⁠⁠ 

In the 12th episode of season 3, Teddi confesses to Melissa in their segment "Style It or Pile It" that she hasn't worn her pick for the show in eight years, sparking a hilarious debate about good eating clothes, closet hoarding, and why we keep items we'll never wear again. The conversation takes an unexpected turn when Teddi's guilty pleasure watching The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives leads to a deeper discussion about how religion has historically controlled women's fashion choices. From mandatory head coverings in Greek Orthodox and Catholic churches to the evolution of "magic underwear" in Mormon culture, they explore how declining church attendance forced religious institutions to relax their dress codes. Melissa shares her own experiences growing up Mormon while Teddi unpacks the hypocrisy of labeling women as either "holy" or "hookers" based on their clothing choices. This episode is part fashion confessional, part cultural commentary, and all about the judgment we face whether we dress up or dress down.Follow Teddi, Melissa, and the show on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@teddilovesfashion⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@the.melissa.fierce⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@getdressedfordinner⁠⁠⁠ 

In the 11th episode of season 3, Teddi and Melissa interview Emma Lyons, the self-trained artist who dances on canvas to create both paintings and wearable fashion simultaneously. Emma shares her journey from professional nurse to full-time creative, explaining her revolutionary technique that merges dance, painting, and fashion into one emotional performance. The conversation explores her philosophy that "you are a work of art" and why we've entered "the tired era" of fashion where our collective exhaustion has made us afraid of the vulnerability that comes with dressing up and being truly seen. From champagne tasting better in evening gowns to why being critiqued is inevitable no matter what you wear, this episode is a rallying cry for authentic self-expression and the radical act of blurring every creative line.

In episode 10 of season 3, Teddi and Melissa discuss their theory about why Americans have become so casual in their dress: we now live in public. Building on insights from their conversation with stylist Katie De Luna, the hosts explore how the combination of COVID-19 isolation and the rise of social media surveillance culture has fundamentally changed how people approach getting dressed. The conversation takes a deep dive into the psychology of living in a "panopticon", a world where everyone has a camera, everyone has an opinion, and everything is potentially public. Teddi and Melissa examine how employers now scrutinize social media, how strangers can photograph and comment on you without consent, and how the pressure to maintain a curated image online has paradoxically made people retreat into invisibility in their everyday lives. They also explore the loss of genuine social connection, noting that even at fashion events, people have forgotten how to have meaningful conversations beyond superficial small talk and photo ops.

In the 9th episode of season three, Teddi and Melissa speak with Katie De Luna, a Chicago-based freelance fashion stylist who brings an infectious energy and rock-and-roll aesthetic to everything she does. Katie shares how her upbringing surrounded by music directly influences her edgy eclectic styling approach. The conversation takes an honest turn as Katie reveals the challenging financial realities of building a styling career, including the costs of pulling clothes, paying for dry cleaning, and transportation—all while many editorial opportunities remain unpaid collaborations. Despite these obstacles, Katie's passion shines through as she discusses the importance of tailoring, the power of mixing fashion eras, and her philosophy of spreading kindness through genuine compliments.Follow Katie on Instagram @stylingbydeluna   Follow Teddi, Melissa, and the show on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@teddilovesfashion⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@the.melissa.fierce⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@getdressedfordinner⁠⁠⁠ 

In episode 8 Teddi and Melissa bring pieces from their wardrobe that they just can't seem to figure out and ask, "should we style it, or should we pile it?" They discover that some things, even when they fit beautifully are just too cheaply made to see the light of day.

Ever wondered what happens to fashion after it makes history? Jessica Pushor, who manages 50,000 pieces of clothing at the Chicago History Museum, takes us behind the velvet rope into one of the most fascinating jobs in fashion. From a European court dress that survived 250 years (and a 1925 rummage sale) to Emilio Pucci hot pants that won't fit on any mannequin, Jessica shares stories that will make you see museum collections in a whole new light. Her journey to this role is just as compelling, she got some of her best education working at Buffalo Exchange, learning what makes clothing worth saving by handling thousands of secondhand pieces and hearing the stories behind them.In this episode, Jessica reveals the surprising challenges of costume curation: Why do Civil War shoes last longer than 1990s sneakers? How do you display a dress from the 1770s when you don't have the original undergarments? And what do you do when everyone wants to donate their grandmother's underwear? She also shares practical wisdom for vintage lovers and collectors, explaining when to invest in quality basics versus trendy pieces, and why that emotional connection to clothing makes fashion such a powerful way to interpret history. Whether you're fascinated by conservation techniques, vintage shopping, or just love a good fashion story, this conversation delivers.Follow Jessica on Instagram @Jessica_pushor and learn more about Chicago's fashion history at @chicagomuseumFollow Teddi, Melissa, and the show on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@teddilovesfashion⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@the.melissa.fierce⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@getdressedfordinner⁠⁠⁠

In the sixth episode of our third season, senior style icon Theodora Krochman, and entrepreneur and documentarian Melissa Pierce discuss the pros and cons of wearing the flag - a touchy subject in today's political climate where every fashion statement is a political statement, but especially this one.Follow Teddi, Melissa, and the show on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@teddilovesfashion⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@the.melissa.fierce⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@getdressedfordinner⁠⁠⁠ 

In the fifth episode of our third season, senior style icon Theodora Krochman, and entrepreneur and documentarian Melissa Pierce speak with stylist, consignment luxury studio owner, and expert authenticator, Demeta Arvanitis, about how deep her passion for all things couture goes - folks, it goes pretty darn deep. Tune in to hear just how deep this FGI board member gets into the details. Follow Demeta on Instagram @styledbydemetraFollow Teddi, Melissa, and the show on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@teddilovesfashion⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@the.melissa.fierce⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@getdressedfordinner⁠⁠⁠