Is it a feature of the American mind to be pragmatic; has it evolved to embrace function over form with respect to fashion? Is this a poor defense of the Uhmerican sloppy slob who desires comfort and ease above all else? The other night I was watching the second episode of Zen. As it might be expected, the Italian Aurelio Zen dresses well in a suit. This is something you can confirm about Romans when you visit the city. (Rufus Sewell, who plays Zen, looks good in a suit -- thanks to the in-house costume department?) A sight of European classiness and style, reminding us of America of yesteryear.
When I was trip down memory lane a couple of nights ago, I was thinking about what American men have lost since the 50s and early 60s. Americans had their own separate style and trends, but they were conscious about how they dressed and appeared in public. That is true no more, except at work where dress codes still prevail. On Sunday, I was at Costco and there were two men (bachelors) wearing t-shirts and shorts; the shorts were too loose and they were showing plumber's crack. No one said anything to them. American "casual" wear is so ugly. Even the poseur's preference for khakis (or cargo pants) with shirt and a fleece or outdoors jacket looks inappropriate or out of place for a more serious indoor setting, such as a well-furnished personal library. Part of this is due to what one is accustomed to seeing in such settings. But there does seem to be a mismatch between the styles.
As a practical concern of the postcarbon era: how difficult is it to make a modern coat, as compared to a jacket or fleece (with buttons)?
I also note that in the second episode they show a requiem Mass ad Deum and in Latin. Spem in Alium is used as background music. The liturgical color was purple. Only on television!
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