My dad, Olaf, was a good dresser. Oh yes, he did have a portly rounded shape -- one that it seems I am trying to assume. He did like good clothes; however, in his fifties and sixties he usually had his suits tailor-made at Gliem Tailors on Fifth and Hennepin here in Minneapolis. When I graduated from Washburn High School, I had a suit made there, too. In having suits made, I think Dad was making up for the many years of hard times and depression wages and sleeping on his desk during gas rationing. As I recall, my dad hardly ever went out without wearing a necktie.
It seems his generation as a whole felt that way. Just look back at old photos. Men usually had on a tie, wore a suit or sport coat, and had a folded handkerchief in the coat pocket. Today, few under the age of sixty wear a tie to church, or any event (except perhaps a funeral). When I retired a few years ago (okay, lots of years ago), I decided not to wear a necktie unless my wife Rita insisted, which has not been often. They are uncomfortable, archaic and, boy, are they expensive. I was looking at some ties at Neiman Marcus in downtown Minneapolis, not long ago (my kids call it “Needless Mark Up”). Can you believe -- $165 for one tie? Needless to say I gently put it down, for fear of soiling this high-priced piece of silk. I guess I will stick to getting my socks, shirts, etc. at L.L.Bean or Kohl’s.
And another thing we men have pretty well given up -- hats! You know the old-fashioned “fedora” type hat. I bought one just like my father-in-law Peter B. Pedersen’s in 1958. When I put it on for church on Sundays I thought I was very chic. Now when I see myself in an old photograph it looks pretty silly. Recently, I bought a new hat, which looks a little like an Australian bush hat. You know, a snap on one side that keeps the side brim up and a strap that goes under my chin when it’s windy weather. It keeps the rain off my head and the sun out of my eyes nicely. But it does not have the panache of my first black hat.
Do you remember I.D. bracelets? They were just the best thing in the 40s and early 50s. They were a great gift for a serviceperson or for a girl to give to a boyfriend. Mine was a hand-me-down from my brother Tom. Mexican silver it is, and I still think it is beautiful. I had Tom’s taken off and mine put in its place. Tom’s Navy serial number is still on the back of the nameplate. I think I will take it out of my jewelry drawer, and wear it tomorrow.
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