In a shocking turn of events. . .

[ortega76]

I think I may have started converting my father into a fedora wearer.

My father is that baby boomer who dresses in jeans and ball caps (at his job in the hospital he wears scrubs). Oh sure, as a devout South Sider he pulls out his trusty apple cap on frequent occasions but he was never a fedora wearer. I have been a frequent fedora wearer for the past 5 years and an infrequent wearer for years before that.

Well, I was bumming around my folks' house and sat on the porch to enjoy the spring weather and a cigar. I was reading a copy of the Fall 2007 issue of Smoke Magazine, featuring the actor Joe Pantoliano and photographed with several fedoras. My pops took a look at the mag after I set it down and started asking me about some hats he saw on Joe and the lid I was wearing (a chocolate brown Champ stingy). I had him wear one of mine around and he got some nice compliments on it, despite it being too large.

<a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/swank76/web%20images%203/?action=view&current=WI12871194_joe-pantoliano-entertain.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/swank76/web%20images%203/WI12871194_joe-pantoliano-entertain.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

My mother has asked me to get him a lid, since he keeps hemming and hawing over buying one.

 

[J. M. Stovall]

Good job Sal! I'm still trying to get my dad out of the track suits. :eusa_doh:

 

[Matt Deckard]

That is awesome. I love it when people turn the corner and head toward the dressier looks.

Have any pics of your pops?

I'm putting a little bit of starters insight into the next editors note for The Cad, so if anyone is starting a tailored wardrobe from scratch, hopefully it will help.

 

[Harley Quinn]

My late father was inveterate wearer of trilbies... the sort that Frank used to wear back in the day.

Having said that, he was always a bit of a dandy at heart. Some of the stuff he had made in Italy while there with the Allied Forces in the Mediterranean were GORGEOUS...

There he is, sans hats and with a small child who grew into me... but I do love that jacket

 

[Marty M.]

What a great picture of you and your Dad Harley. He's a very elegant looking man. Thanks for sharing.
Marty Mathis

 

[Harley Quinn]

fftopic: You wouldn't believe he could bench press an 1800cc engine, and once took apart a rugby team who didn't realise they were out numbered looking at that, would you?

I'll have to see if I can find more pics of his wardrobe...

 

[B R A N D X®]

Um......that's a *really* good look for him! Well done!

 

[Flitcraft]

You wouldn't believe he could bench press an 1800cc engine, and once took apart a rugby team who didn't realise they were out numbered looking at that, would you?

I'll have to see if I can find more pics of his wardrobe...

A man after my own heart...:eusa_clap

 

[Harley Quinn]

I'll have to post an image of the pin he was wearing, since inherited it... before moving to the Essex Regiment for Military Police training, he was with the Lincolnshire Regiment, who's emblem is 'The Lincoln Imp'

 

[ortega76]

Thanks for the comments Matt!

Here's my pops and me at my wedding. This was late in the night, I had to take my bowtie off as my stepson managed to spill something on it as we were eating dessert. The wonder of 8 year olds!

<a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/swank76/?action=view&current=l_6804e3448c925a11e1f12cfb4f638150.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/swank76/l_6804e3448c925a11e1f12cfb4f638150.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

My dad used to wear "business casual" to his job (he's an ultrasound tech) but he changed hospitals 6 years ago. Now it's scrubs and clogs. In his off-hours, it's jeans and tees. He has one suit and a handful of shirts and ties. He has started to pick more structured casual pieces. He's not ready for a full-on tailored wardrobe but this is a step in the right direction. Buttondowns rather than tees. Silk camp shirts in the summer. I will taking him shopping for a suit this weekend. I've had some luck narrowing down what he likes or showing examples by doing homework on the internet.

That is awesome. I love it when people turn the corner and head toward the dressier looks.

Have any pics of your pops?

I'm putting a little bit of starters insight into the next editors note for The Cad, so if anyone is starting a tailored wardrobe from scratch, hopefully it will help.

 

[RBH]

Looks like he needs a fedora to me!

Start him out with at least a 2 1\2 brim.

 

[Mr. Lucky]

Looks like he needs a fedora to me!

Start him out with at least a 2 1\2 brim.

Agreed. The man looks like he was born to don a Panama!

 

[ortega76]

Agreed. The man looks like he was born to don a Panama!

As he works near Chicago's lakefront and loves to stroll on Navy Pier during his lunch, I think a Panama is a great choice. Lightweight and great sun protection.

Matt, one thing I'm learning when helping someone build or re-build a tailored wardrobe is the internet is extraordinarily valuable. I don't mean shopping on-line per se, rather using blogs or retailers as "look books". It's helped me figure out what will be a waste of time (narrow lapels and skinny ties) and what works for my dad's lifestyle (no ties but sportcoats and patterned shirts are good). This weekend, we'll be trying clothes and buying the stuff that works.

A second thing I'm finding is to avoid the "outfit trap". Planning outfits is good- it ensures that one's purchases become a foundation for a flexible, multi-purpose wardrobe of style and character. Buying several outfits that do not or cannot be intermingled is bad for someone just starting out.

Third, set a goal. We're not going to buy an entire wardrobe in two days. Our first priority is a new suit (for weddings coming up) with some great accessories (french cuff shirt and snazzy shoes). We'll also be picking up "something for nights out" (a sportcoat and bold pattern shirt for the nights he and my mom spend in the city). Finally, some camp shirts/panel shirts. He likes the look of them on Charlie Sheen in the television show Two and A Half Men. The snazzy look for nights out is important. My folks love to go out and my mom has a penchant for very bright colors- she wore this dress to my wedding! For him to lose the jeans and polo shirt will make her very happy.

As far as hats go, I think I'll pick him up two. A nice Panama and a center-crease fedora with a 2 1/4" brim. Color and make on the second is undecided.

 

[Harley Quinn]

Would it be terribly bad form to say that your mother is an attractive woman?

The colour is VERY nice BTW... she also carries it well...

 

[ortega76]

Would it be terribly bad form to say that your mother is an attractive woman?

The colour is VERY nice BTW... she also carries it well...

I'll pass the compliment along this weekend! Thank you!

 

[ortega76]

I wanted to give a hearty thank you to Panamabob for his wonderful suggestions and help via PM. I have not seen my father in his hat but my mother assures me he loves his panama. I ordered a Bailey center dent fedora in grey. He has worn both on at least one occasion, but has worn the Bailey a bit more due to the weather. He has informed me he will be taking the Panama with him next month when my folks head to the Caribbean on a cruise!

Shopping with him was interesting. We had a lot of luck at Macy's, Jos. A Bank and a regional retailer known as Bachrach. My pops really picked up a few nice pieces. A pity he will still be wearing scrubs to work.

As someone who had specific ideas in mind, primarily a wardrobe of nicer clothes for a growing social calender, and very few basics to work with- I think we did well. Our purchases included. . .

1. A charcoal 3-Button Cashmere Blend suit. We liked this color over black. It's basic (I suggested navy), comfortable and he can keep it dressy or dress it down. It matches his Bailey lid perfectly. For a big family wedding next month, he plans on a lavender shirt to wear under this.

2. A brown with gold windowpane silk-blend sportcoat. It looked great with jeans and khaki slacks. It inspired me to pick up a similar suit from another of the places we visited.

3. A solid navy sportcoat.

4. A pair of brown monk-strap shoes

5. A pair of black cap toe shoes.

6. Light tan/khaki slacks; black slacks and navy slacks. The basics. I also warned him not to try to make a "suit" out of the sportcoat and navy slacks. I did get him to think about breaking suit jackets up into blazers.

We picked up some patterned shirts and a few ties. I don't see my dad wearing a lot of ties, though. Still, he looked good when my wife and folks went out to dinner at Cooper's Hawk that weekend. I digress, but let me say this is one of my favorite restaurants near my folk's place.

Some of it needs to get re-cut. I know there are much "better" brands out there. We could have gone custom. Heck, I could have taken him to Optimo for his hat. I just wanted to get him started and have him get nice threads that would let him explore this new thing. My dad will probably always be more at home in jeans and tees but it made my mother happy to see him in nice clothes.