On fashion and impressionable young people
Ok, kiddies, it's time for a lesson.
The long coat has been worn for centuries, nay, millenia, by people from all walks of life. Kings, Queens, Emperors, the clergy, soldiers, labourers, spies, everyone.
I myself have owned several long coats in my 35 years, and have been wearing them since I was twelve years old. While I've owned military-surplus longcoats, greatcoats (as pictured above), Pea coats, and even a couple of Burberry coats, my personal preference is for vintage brown leather trenchcoats.
Where am I going with this? Well, as per usual, I'll answer with a story...
So, I'm walking around downtown Saturday afternoon, on my way home from Polo Park, when I pass by these two girls in their late teens/early twenties near The Bay. As I walked past, one of them asked me:
The long coat has been worn for centuries, nay, millenia, by people from all walks of life. Kings, Queens, Emperors, the clergy, soldiers, labourers, spies, everyone.
I myself have owned several long coats in my 35 years, and have been wearing them since I was twelve years old. While I've owned military-surplus longcoats, greatcoats (as pictured above), Pea coats, and even a couple of Burberry coats, my personal preference is for vintage brown leather trenchcoats.
Where am I going with this? Well, as per usual, I'll answer with a story...
So, I'm walking around downtown Saturday afternoon, on my way home from Polo Park, when I pass by these two girls in their late teens/early twenties near The Bay. As I walked past, one of them asked me:
"So how much do clothes cost in The Matrix?"
(Which is apparently, as a friend told me later, a line from some stupid movie that came out a year or so ago.)
Without batting an eyelash, I turned to the girl, smiled, and said, "Well, nothing! If you think about it, it's not real money!"
After a couple of seconds of stunned silence (and a couple of nervous giggles from one girl), I added, "Now, do you have any other immature questions, or may I continue on my way?"
I got a sheepish "Sorry, sir..." as a reply.
"Ahhhh, don't worry about it," I laughed, "I'm just razzing you! Have a good weekend!"
"Uhhh... you...too..."
I think I inadvertently scared them... which is funny, because I was only joking around. Had I been in a bad mood, they really woulda caught a blast...
If this story has a point, it's that long coats have existed for centuries. They weren't invented solely for that 1999 Keanu Reeves yawnfest. If you think otherwise, perhaps it's time you turn the TV off, step away from your computer, and pull your head out of pop culture's ass.
Without batting an eyelash, I turned to the girl, smiled, and said, "Well, nothing! If you think about it, it's not real money!"
After a couple of seconds of stunned silence (and a couple of nervous giggles from one girl), I added, "Now, do you have any other immature questions, or may I continue on my way?"
I got a sheepish "Sorry, sir..." as a reply.
"Ahhhh, don't worry about it," I laughed, "I'm just razzing you! Have a good weekend!"
"Uhhh... you...too..."
I think I inadvertently scared them... which is funny, because I was only joking around. Had I been in a bad mood, they really woulda caught a blast...
If this story has a point, it's that long coats have existed for centuries. They weren't invented solely for that 1999 Keanu Reeves yawnfest. If you think otherwise, perhaps it's time you turn the TV off, step away from your computer, and pull your head out of pop culture's ass.
Your story about you and the two teen girls proves a point.
ReplyDelete"Clothes make the man".
They even gave a respectful "sorry sir".
It's time that men stopped wearing kids clothes and started wearing men's clothes to work...I've started seeing it at Winnipeg Square in the past year.
I know that I feel more like I'm supposed to at my age at work in a dress shirt, suit jacket, dress shoes, than I would in a golf shirt, jeans, and sneakers.
People at work - other men and women have given me nothing but support in doing so.
Thanks CJ for posting this.
Found this website about men's suits a couple of weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteIt shows what to wear and when. For example I think he goes through the rule of why you should never button any of the buttons on a suit jacket or blazer, except the middle one.
http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/
Thanks much for the kind words and link, Jim!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you all the way on this one! If it weren't for the fact I work in a greasy, dirty environment (hose & fitting shop), I'd wear pressed slacks, dress shirt, and tie daily.
Even in my position (Inside Sales), I risk getting dirty whenever I go out into the shop with a customer.
Of course, there's nothing wrong with wearing something nice TO work, and changing into something less nice when I get there... and changing back into the nice outfit when I leave.