Saturday, January 7, 2012

The elements of my style

As I prepare for the spring semester, I face a crisis. In their efforts to look all folksy and down to earth, certain candidates for the Republican presidential nomination have — I’ll say it — stolen the elements of my style. My sweater-vests: gone. My signature look of button-down shirt and jeans: gone. Snatched, swiped, purloined.

I have prepared a sharp and decisive response: come Monday, I’m wearing a tie.

[If you haven’t been following fashion: Rick Santorum stole my sweater-vests; Mitt Romney, my signature look.]

comments: 14

Daughter Number Three said...

But they'll never have your beard.

Michael Leddy said...

Thank you for that!

Elaine said...

You should have kept quiet; I caught Mitt checking out his whiskers in a mirror! Yep, they were white.

BTW, Are you aware that the Arkansas State Red Wolves are playing the Northern Illinois um, Team, in a 'Go-Daddy Bowl' tomorrow? Who are you cheering for? (We did take some pleasure in the Razorbacks' performance after the snotty, condescending remarks about how they had no chance against Kansas State....OOPS!)

Michael Leddy said...

Elaine, I don’t follow football.

If Mitt’s cheek whitens (or darkens), he’s going to have more to worry about than I will: as far as I know, Mormon men are strongly encouraged to be cleanshaven.

Elaine said...

LOL--I don't follow football, either, but when it's kind of in one's back yard, it's hard to ignore. Arkansas is so small that any of its teams are sort of state-wide. The DHubby likes college football (Penn State is his undergrad alma mater circa '64) but is No Help At All when it comes to crosswords and pro teams.

I did not realize that Mormons eschewed facial hair. Now, what about the 'new style' of being not-bearded-but-certainly-not-shaven? (Along with the droopy pants, this is a style that can't fade too soon, IMHO.)

Michael Leddy said...

When it comes to facial hair, I’m a total libertarian. I don’t want the gummint in my beard.

Anonymous said...

Odd that certain religions demand beards, and cutting them is an offence. We're in such trouble....

But there's the old question: How many presidents had beards? Answer: so far, they all have, but most shaved them. Close, huh?

anonymous said...

Looking forward to a photo of you wearing your 'tie. What knot do you use?

Michael Leddy said...

A half-windsor. But the tie — a “vintage” Rooster — came off within twenty minutes of tying. Too itchy and inhibiting.

Michael Leddy said...

I should’ve said a now-“vintage” Rooster, so old it’s “vintage.”

Michael Leddy said...

I should’ve also written “half-Windsor.”

Anonymous said...

What one is learning is that we are all fast becoming vintage....

Anonymous said...

Just, finally, saw a photograph of Rick Santorum. He was wearing a sleeveless sweater, not a sweater vest. 'tain't the same.

Michael Leddy said...

Sweater-vest: “a sleeveless pullover or buttoned sweater.”