A Man of Substance and Style

My dad passed away on September 4, 2010. Today would have been his 91st birthday. I think about him every day, and he is often the inspiration for my style musings. So, it seems right that I should dedicate today's posting to him.

In the aftermath of my father's death, one of the hardest tasks for my sister and me was going through his clothes. Looking good was important to him and he loved dressing up every day. He had impeccable style and a knack for creating charming outfits. A lover of fine things, he naturally gravitated to high price tag items, like Bally loafers and Brooks Brother's suits.  Dad rejoiced when Saks Fifth Avenue opened its doors in the city where he lived. Of course, he became a familiar face there and made fast friends with all the sales associates. Each time I visited him, it wouldn't take my dad long to ask this all important question: "Would you like to go shopping?". How could I turn down that invitation? He was as talented as any professional personal shopper and bought me splendid items over the years that matched my style sensibilities. I always gave him credit when people complimented me on one of his purchases. Invariably the reaction from others was the same..."You mean your dad picked that out for you?".

Dad expressed his exuberance, spontaneity, and joie de vivre through his clothes. He wore purples and pinks and paired polka dots with paisleys. Ever since I can remember, he wore certain signature accessories that definitely made him stand out in our hometown of South Bend, Indiana.  These pieces included a beret that he wore all winter long and a variety of striped wool scarves resembling those worn by British school boys. Always confident in his skin, he never seemed to care that his style was slightly out of step with what other men his age were wearing in  the 1960s.

Beneath the oxford shirts and silk ties, there was an extraordinarily brilliant man of courage and character. He received a doctorate in civil engineering from MIT and spent fifty years in higher education both as a professor and administrator. During his career, he received many awards and honors, and he mentored countless students. A distinguished veteran of World War II, my father served his country heroically as a lieutenant with the US Army Corps of Engineers. He was also the recipient of seven bronze stars and a bronze arrowhead.

After my Dad retired (in his mid eighties), he still got dressed "to the nines" several times a week and headed to the Veteran's Hospital where he volunteered. He definitely lived the philosophy that dressing your best helps you be your best. So, in honor of him today, I followed his example. Yes, I overdressed for working at home, going to the health club, running errands and hanging out with my grandson. That didn't matter a bit because I felt good. If that wasn't enough of a reward, I also received compliments about my outfit from my stepson and a clerk at the grocery store checkout line.  Upon hearing these nice comments, I smiled and almost found myself saying,"my dad picked this out".