I was born in the nineteen forties, raised in the fifties, grew up in the sixties, survived the seventies and have tolerated the next four decades which, by and large, is the best I can say.
Early on, the concept of personal style was dictated by someone else. Parents come to mind. Sometimes it was OK. Often, well not so much. Parents always had a hard time with change – then and now, I suspect. Most of the time then was all about khakis and tee shirts, a coat and tie for church on Sunday and shirt and tie for school.
For near a decade , I found myself in seminary where the dress code was shall we say”prescribed” – hence my continuing love of black. Returning to the world of the laity, I found myself in the mid sixties. Now there’s a clear definition of culture shock, for sure. And then it began – that drive for one’s own style. Not so much the persona but the “vestments”, though I have since grown to understand they are inextricably connected.
Over time, one way or another, one does formulate a persona and a style to accompany it. For me, it was always about comfortable and functional with a basic set up. Boot flair slacks or jeans were standard. Certainly not those horrible bell bottoms. Boots outside, loafers for inside and sandals for the beach. I preferred Roughouts pretty much over anything. I just simply couldn’t deal with all that other craziness around. Of course, the professional setting had other demands. The “Mr Shue Rules ” ( my tailor from John Wanamaker ) applied. Pin striped suits or slacks and blazer. Blue or black blazer with either tan or gray slacks. Striped shirt with solid tie, or a very mild print ; solid shirt with a striped or print tie. Blue or striped shirts in daytime, white shirts in the evening. Of course, the basic white dress shirt was always a safe bet.
Since those days, I have migrated West and, while some of my fashion outlook has been modified, far more has stayed the same – good shirts, boots, and the same rules for dress. I do spend more time in jeans than ever before, usually with a white shirt. However, when the event or situation requires it, Mr Shue still holds sway. The only thing that has really changed has been the choice of hats. I have always liked hats and wore many – I was, for sure, the “mad hatter”. Nowadays, it’s pretty much Stetson or Bailey. That’s where I am comfortable and, at the risk of sounding a bit highbrow, I think the fashion statement is rather basic and classic.
So, what happened, one must ask and what we see now is a very different kettle of fish. We are being plagued with the Seattle grunge gone completely amuck. The guys are wearing so called shorts which look more like skirts, rubber shower slippers – yes, that’s what they really are – underwear hanging out and tee shirts I wouldn’t let my dog sleep on.
And then there are the girls. Midriffs hanging out and I do mean “hanging”, shoes that flap with every step and again, those rubber shower slippers. There are slacks dragging four inches on the ground and, of course, all those hats on backwards ! Who ever started that one. And then there are the ever present pajamas. Sorry, they are meant to sleep in or lounge in, not to go out in public. And if this is not hard enough on the eyes during the day at Taco Bell, we need to put up with it at decent places for Saturday night dinner too ! My wife and I were celebrating our first anniversary on a Saturday night at a rather nice resort restaurant in Ahwatukee. I was in a suit with, of course, dress boots. She had on a rather nice long dress with a matching jacket. It was a special evening for us. So, we’re having cocktails when this couple walks in and is seated a couple of tables over. She had on jeans with holes in the knees and a top which hadn’t seen a laundry for weeks. He had on that ol’ California stand by – track shorts, shower slippers and a fish net tee.
While this was, in my opinion, unsuitable for any occasion, it was certainly out of place for this setting. On the way out, I challenged the host – I refuse him the title of “maitre d ” – as to why he even seated these people. His reply – they’re paying customers.
So, that’s it. Money talks and class and style have left the building !
I sense that style and class have, for the most part, been lost and frankly, it’s sad. I am not seeking a return to Edwardian England but , come now, a bit of style and how one presents oneself in public needs to be important . Does it not speak volumes about self image ?
I accept that in many areas of the country, particularly the major cities in the New York – D.C. corridor, there is still some semblance of style, especially in New York. And, I can accept the “new casual” attitude that is the prevailing mind set. On the other hand, I reject the concept that looking like the back end of a land fill should be the norm
inthetrunkroom 