A Man of a Certain Age

We women of a certain age are not the only ones who feel the pressure to sit down, shut up and fade away. So do many of our fathers, husbands, significant-others, brothers, sons, guy-friends and co-workers. One of those older guys who share in our rebelliousness is my husband Dan. He is the inspiration for and subject of this week's post. If you saw him in his work clothes, you might not guess that under the boring old polo shirt beats the heart of a clothes horse.

And, it might surprise you to know that he's got some interesting ideas about style that are informed by his old college major: sociology. He took his degree in this field, and although he didn't choose a profession in it, his observations of group and individual behavior in the context of society have resulted in some pretty cool attitudes about fashion. His nerdy thoughts about the presentation of self lead us to some pretty interesting conversations about the much more fun issue of what to wear. And that's not always an uncomplicated topic at our house.

Most women of my generation were taught early on that if you wanted to be treated like a lady, then you'd better dress like one. And Dan figured out pretty early that personal presentation was not just an issue for girls. Once he internalized that, it was only a short leap to the understanding that the counter-culture, non-conformist image he hoped to project could be greatly enhanced by the way he dressed. And from there, he learned that even subtle elements in the way he dressed gave people hints and cues about how he wanted to be treated, resulting in a little more control in the often insecure world of his youth.

Dan says that his choices now, as an older adult, reflect his desire to differentiate himself. "It's one of the ways I avoid complete assimilation into rural culture," he says. "What I wear helps to maintain my urban sensibilities in an rural environment." So nowadays, we dress up a bit when we go into the Big City to shop, go out to dinner or even just run errands. Bear in mind that dressing up here only means stepping it up from work t-shirt and jeans for a lot of people. Our local Big City is an extremely casual place.

He also says "Like most men I know, I thought I knew how to dress before I got married." (This comment he says completely without sarcasm ... isn't that adorable?) And he adds, "Besides, I really like it when my wife says I look good."

Awww.

Not only is my huz very smart, he's also charming!

My own recent foray into the arcane practice of print and pattern mixing has inspired a few of his own choices. He's got a good eye for it, and more than once has made some spot-on suggestions about how I might combine elements from my own closet.

                                                              

I particularly like this scarf with this jacket, simple

sweater and driving cap.(His odd shoes are a kind of gillie ... he has arthritis in his feet, and has difficulties wearing regular shoes.

He wears them confidently, and that usually works pretty well!)

   Blue and brown. 

 A favorite combination of colors on my favorite person

 

I think this is his version of the Zoolander

"Blue Steel" look.  

Hazel Steel.

And I really like his slim red jeans. 

 Keeps him looking modern.

Teal slims, plaid shirt, brown gillies ...

Spring is here for me!

And, last but not least ... had to do a drawing.

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Showing UP and OUT with the

memorable Patti at Visible Monday 

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