Of Aesthetics and Time

[crfriend]

One of the rather more interesting questions I've encountered over time (please ignore that pun) is that folks tend to view my fashion choices as trying to evoke a certain period of time, although none have ever been able to nail down what that time period is. For instance, at a celebration at the local "rail trail" and historic Springdale Mill site, I was twice mistaken for an historical interpreter and once asked if my rig was attempting to evoke a certain time.

I recall a moderately large number of years ago (a decade or so), contemplating the thought that skirts were growing increasingly obsolete in the modern world; obsolescence, to me, holds in many ways fairly compelling charms (so long as one can escape into the modern world at will), and I liberally partake of that primarily in computing, but also with elements of my fashion sense. Waistcoats, for instance, are pretty much an extinct species as are notions like cravats and ascots; so I seem to gravitate to such looks because I find them "attractive" at several levels. I also happen to really like pocket-watches (and as time takes its toll on my eyes, they're frequently easier to read than a wristwatch), and tend to pull many of these elements into everyday wear -- which now includes skirts. I have been accused of being "steampunk resonant" in the past, and I suppose that makes sense. This brings me to the operative question of "time", and whether any of us are actively trying to manipulate observers' viewpoints.

I am most fortunate that I have a wide spectum of friends and acquaintances, some of whom have rather wonderful titles. Take for instance, one chap I know that used to be the "Official Astronomer for the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations" ( a title which he himself said would, along with two bucks, buy a cup of coffee, although by being affiliated with the local museum also held an official "license to harvest road-kill"). He's moved on, and is now a Visiting Scholar at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and works at Brown's Ladd Observatory on restoration projects including historical timepieces and optical gadgetry. (That and three bucks still buys him a cup of coffee; Visiting Scholars, it seems are one step down on the food-chain from graduate students.)

A recent Providence Journal article shows an image of the recently restored transit-telescope room of the observatory. Imagine, for a moment, that instead of the image being in colour it was in sepia tone -- could you tell when the photograph was taken? It's worth noting that the subject in the photograph is not dressed in "period costume" -- those are his "street clothes". Are we trying to manipulate an observer's mindset, even if unintentionally?

My wife indicates, "Yes" to the above conjecture; I am not sure. I pick my looks based on what I feel like and what I appreciate in an overall appearance. I agree that it does make me look a little bit of a (rather confused, likely) time-traveller, but I am happy with it. And I seem to get good reviews; but how much does it fiddle with onlookers' brains?

[ethelthefrog]

With Michael, and with you, Carl, the impressive facial hair contributes at least as much to the look as your garment choices.

You are, in my mind, by far the most distinguished-looking of all skirtcafe members who have posted pictures. Your rigs do, for the most part, speak to historical fashion ideas, yet are your very own, and will probably only work in our own time. From what you write, I infer that you do take many ideas from history, which is going to give you that "historical" look. You're also an early-generation computer geek, and have worked for (my guess) your entire professional life in an environment full of the odd-sorts, third-wheels and misfits who gravitate towards the tech industries.

To my mind, your overall look fits perfectly with slightly off-the-wall IT professionals, and I can definitely see that steampunk enthusiasts will find resonance with some of your rigs.

Waistcoats are an underused item. I've been idly searching, in vain, for a fun-looking informal waistcoat for 15 years, to no avail. All I can find are wedding clothes and hi-vis tabards. I plan to make one.

I seem to be rambling, so I'll round up: if I can grow my look to be half as eye-catching, yet so very right, as yours, I'll die a happy man.

[JRMILLER]

Carl,

One of the rather more interesting questions I've encountered over time (please ignore that pun) is that folks tend to view my fashion choices as trying to evoke a certain period of time

I agree that your look does seem to invoke another time. No doubt that's what's going through people's minds as they attempt to explain what they are seeing. Most people didn't pay much attention to history class as they grew up, hence, if you present something that looks at all historic, then it's pretty easy to pull the wool over their eyes! Witness what people wear to the Renaissance festivals, outfits frequently have components selected from various points in time and some right out of fantasy. Because of the universal human tendency to identify everything one encounters, your apparent historical look leaves them scrambling to place you in their small inventory of mental images from times past...

I personally believe that there are other realities, other dimensions and my mind would place you in one of those. A place where your look is considered perfectly normal for guys. See, I need to identify too!

[Milfmog]

Not sure about the time thing Carl, your rigs somehow convey a sense of being out of time, which I rather like. For myself, clothes are not usually picked for any particular aesthetic, but simply for their comfort and (hopefully) with sufficient thought to reduce any jarring to the eyes of others

Waistcoats are an underused item. I've been idly searching, in vain, for a fun-looking informal waistcoat for 15 years, to no avail.

You could try this company, I recently bought a couple of "loud" cravats from them. If I have any regrets it is that I did not go for even brighter colours as the relatively small area of fabric on show when they are worn would allow me to go to eyeball sucking shades without it being too over powering.

Have fun,


Ian.

[crfriend]

Not sure about the time thing Carl, your rigs somehow convey a sense of being out of time, which I rather like. For myself, clothes are not usually picked for any particular aesthetic, but simply for their comfort and (hopefully) with sufficient thought to reduce any jarring to the eyes of others

That was the basic gist of my question. I do not overtly "try for" any sort of "period appearance", but rather attempt to put things together that, to my mind, look good, and are comfortable and wearable. I do NOT subscribe to the notion that "style must be painful'! The "out of time" (as in "removed from") notion may be an accidental side-effect of my particular tastes.

You could try this company, I recently bought a couple of "loud" cravats from them. If I have any regrets it is that I did not go for even brighter colours as the relatively small area of fabric on show when they are worn would allow me to go to eyeball sucking shades without it being too over powering.

I need to revisit that idea.