leading the way

  I've said it often enough, I'm not one much for fad or fashion. What I mean by that is that I've never been one to be much concerned with any of that. I think it is the result of several factors. Most importantly, it was because my parents couldn't afford that. My fashion came from the Sears and Roebuck catalogue, or a local store named Brills. When I got older and began to buy some of my own choices, I discovered that those fashions didn't look quite the same on me as they did on the stars advertising them. There was that and they did cost a good deal more. I found the cheap stuff got the job done and so was satisfied with that. And today, well today I really have no idea what is in fashion. Are the kids still wearing those clothes that look like they are in rags? I'm not seeing the Goth kids around much anymore; guess they went back into the shadows.

  I'm certain someone with a Phd has written papers on this subject, studied it. Fashion is a reflection of current social attitudes. Although my thinking is fashion leads the way in social change. The famous story, clothes make the man, explored that idea a bit. We do become a bit of what we dress. Later in life we maintain that dress because it is what we are comfortable with. At 71 I would look silly wearing what a teenager wears, although I see those that try. When I was younger, we called those folks eccentric. A polite way of saying they didn't have better sense. That's getting to be a positive thing in today's world. It is funny how clothes can make you change your outlook. 

  When I was young most men wore a hat. It wasn't always a ball cap though, fedoras for the businessmen were common enough. I saw lots of hats and caps. The guys pumping gas would often have those style caps, the man with the star! The milkman, postman, and others all had hats. Yes, some of the fisherman wore ball cap style hats although they were a bit different. Many had those hats with the long green shaded brim. Haven't seen one of those in years now. I suspect they are a regional thing however, like cowboy hats.  I began wearing a hat when I was a teenager. I wear one 99% of the time to this very day. I have had all of the aforementioned hats at one time or another with one exception, that service station hat. I have looked online for one, I only want the real deal one, not a replica. Well, turns out they are "vintage" or "antique" and the asking prices reflect that. I'm not willing to pay several hundred dollars for a used hat that may or may not fit. If I had only thought to buy them back then. Isn't that way it always is?

  I just ordered a new fedora. I have one that is rather a heavy wool and suitable for the winter months. I wanted one a bit lighter for the fall. I've grown a fondness for fedoras I think because my dad had one. Now dad had a three piece pin stripe suit, very sharp with those wings tipped shoes, brown and white, that were the height of fashion in the forties. He had his fedora, in a hat box, that he wore to complete the outfit. Only worn for those occasions that required you to be dressed up. My parents didn't go to many of those events. I think it was the suit he wore when they got married. I do know it was the only suit he ever owned. He had sports jackets but that was about it. I went out to buy a suit a while back and discovered they are harder to find than I expected. You have to go to a higher end clothier to find them. I remember when Sears sold three-piece suits. 

  As to fashion and society in general we have become casual. I think it is quite obvious if you just think about it a minute or two. As a result, people are far more casual, far more aggressive, than in past years. Remember when you wouldn't engage in certain activities because, I've got my good clothes on. I did have to change clothes after school, put on my play clothes. Like in that story, clothes make the man, I do believe people were more polite when they were wearing their good clothes. Social standing was obvious enough, the white collars and the blue collars. 

  That isn't quite as obvious today. And of course, there is another observation I have made and frequently speak of, polite company. A concept that in my view has been relegated to the past. Yes, there is a lack of decorum in society today. Maybe that could be restored if we all just "dressed" up. I see a lot of "Emperors" these days. We all know that story as well. As far back as the ancient Greeks the way you dress has been known to affect the way others interact with you. Our own nature may be influenced by that as well, less likely to fight in our good clothes. And don't we say, we wear many hats? Hats are an indication of occupation. They used to be anyway. I don't know there is just something about a good hat. Personally, I got tired of those ballcaps. And when they started turning them backwards that was the last straw for me. That's just "too cool" for me. 

  You could say I am choosing to make a fashion statement by wearing a fedora. There are different variations on that hat, and some are in style today, mostly with people in a band. They are also getting associated with certain ethnic groups. I'm a fan of the classic 1940's style fedora. I especially like them when they look worn. Thing is, it takes years to get a hat to look like that. I'm thinking I don't have enough time for that, so I'll have to go with the fresh look. So yes, I guess I am concerned with fashion after all, it's just that I don't really care what is in fashion. I really do wish manners; courtesy and respecting others would come back in fashion. Now that would be great. Could be all we need to do is change our hats. I'm leading the way.