Sartorial Splendor

In the past, I've written about how some of my father maternal relatives worked for a world famous hat manufacturer in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

I was thinking about them today. None of my grandmother's siblings and various aunts and uncles were known for their sartorial splendor with the possible exception of my great-aunt Eleanor, and my grandmother who wanted to dress like "the Queen." I think she meant Queen Elizabeth the Current One.

It's not they dressed badly, if the many old photos of them that I have is any indication. It's just that, well, let's take one of my great-uncles as an example, I'll leave him unnamed as to let his spirit rest in peace. He once visited my grandfather in a hospital room, having come from yet another funeral dressed in a rather odd manner.

I'm going to digress briefly, and explain the "yet another funeral" comment. He was a interesting man, this great-uncle. He had a sharp wit and was quick to laugh. I didn't see him very often as he seemed to always be busy going to someone or other's funeral. Now, I'm going to give him the benefit of a doubt and say he was a friendly and caring sort and had many acquaintances and clients with his insurance business, as opposed to thinking he just enjoyed going to funerals because they offered free food. But I don't think anyone really knows.

At any rate, one evening while my grandfather was laid up in a hospital bed from the one of only two ailments that ever troubled him, unspecified internal bleeding, talking to me and my dad, when just arrived from a funeral, my great uncle comes walking in, wearing a bright green suit jacket and slacks, black shirt, and a wide purple tie with big white polka dots. I nearly choked on my own spit, and my dad just laughed quietly to himself. My great-uncle gives my grandfather a hardy, booming greeting, "Hey there Bud! I hope you are feeling better now! They get you any good lookin' nurses? Huh? huh?!?" My grandfather's eyes opened really wide.

Yes, I was thinking about him today, one of the relatives that once worked for Stetson Hats. Because today, I wore a brand-new hat to work.

I wore it to the 7-11 across the street when I got a sandwich for lunch. The Indian guy (three of them work there, it fits the stereotype so perfectly it eerie) looks up from the register and his eyes open real wide and he just looked at me like I was insane. His fellow co-worker just starts this quiet laugh (one that I've heard before in that hospital room so long ago)...

I'm betting you it was pants...maybe my zipper was down or the seat of my pants were ripped out or something?

Or maybe my shirt was on inside out and backwards or sumpin?


Thank you LadyStyx, I'm going to wear it all the time!