What’s in a look? What does it say about you? Steve Jobs looked like a dad stuck in 1991. Zuckerberg has his hoodie and loads of articles have been written about why they wore it. Some bullshit about efficiency always comes out but that’s always been a stretch to me. I mean they are billionaires and how long does it actually take to pick out a shirt everyday. If not that then what? I mean familiarity? Comfort? All of it? I know I choose the things I wear deliberately, but the reasons are varied.
Shoes. My birthday passed the other day and as us tradition, I received a charcoal and black pair of checkerboard vans. It’s probably my 7th pair. They last about a year and by the last 2 months usually smell like death. They remind me of my youth.
Shorts/T-shirts: I went to Catholic school from 7-12th grade and had to wear a collared shirt and some sort of pants every day. I hated it and hate slacks/pants that aren’t cut like jeans to this day. Having to wear business casual would be like waking up to the Pina Colada song every day. My uniform is shorts and a t-shirt practically all year. When I go somewhere nicer, I wear a nicer T-shirt, I mean I’m not a savage and don’t want to look like Jesse Pinkman.
Trucker hats: I had a trucker hat in like 1981. I’ve had them off an on ever since. From 1988-1994 I owned and wore a University of Michigan hat almost exclusively. Mostly backwards. So much so that a group of friends still refer to me as BHP (backwards hat Pat). Sometime around then I found a Dominos Pizza trucker hat that I wore until my dog ate it. Since about 1999 it’s been straight trucker hats. Foamy, high and a lot of times neon. I can’t wait to be 70 wearing them.
Skinny jeans: I have bird legs and pants and jeans never really fit me right. As jeans got skinnier, my worldview improved. I mostly have Levi’s 511. They fit well but don’t tell you what religion I am.
Sunglasses: Yes, I have a pair of orange/red Oakley eyeshades that I’ve worn for about 4 years, but I’ve always loved sunglasses. Vaurnets, Raybans, Arnette Catfish and all sorts of other stuff. I could have 20 pair.
Socks: Bright cycling socks have become a thing for the last 3 years or so. I don’t know that they will last forever but for now I own more socks than underwear.
Hoodies: If you’re going to be able to practice the #DTTM look, you’re gonna need a staple of hoodies. I have like 10, even though it’s smarmier than a butt crack in sweatpants in August. Luckily when it does get cooler hear it’s also wet and miserable.
I have other things. Lots of running shoes, a pair of Doc Martens I’ve owned since 1997 or so, and box of a ton of T-shirt’s from the races we put on and businesses I’ve owned.
Your look introduces you to the world. I hope mine says I’m relaxed, mostly not too serious, kinda colorful and that I may or may not want to talk to you.
What’s your go to look?
#hugsandhi5s
