MWPGM Bailey, for my Installation as Master of Everett Lodge No. 137, I wore my US Army Dress Blue Uniform (I don't own a Tuxedo).
So for that first meeting, my hat was appropriate (Field Grade Officer headgear). Ha! This essay from you about your headgear and baseball caps got me laughing. I've retired to Florida, so my American Legion baseball cap, and my shorts, are now SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)! Ha!
The uniform would have been quite awesome Installation wear!
Yeah, when I make my frequent trips to Puerto Vallarta it's shorts and a Tilley hat for me. Nothing else can beat the sun, even though one shudders to think what people might think having to look at my legs! 🤠
"And I believe that our clothing, particularly our hats (if we choose to wear them) communicate our values to others..."
I could not agree with this more, Cameron. While I will occasionally wear the standard 'baseball cap' (usually either a simple 'blank' hat, or one of my GOA caps) when doing mundane things, most of the time my hat projects a vibe of who I am at my core.
When I was a young man, for a brief period, corduroy ball caps became popular for some crazy reason. Then went out of style just as quickly. But, I notice that they are back! And I've still got a couple favorites from all those decades ago kicking around. I'm thinking I might have to take one for a spin soon.
The article Cameron linked in his post is dead on.
If you look at any picture from the 1950s of a bustling city, you'll notice every man wore a suit, tie, and a fedora. Every woman wore a skirt and blouse. Hair perfectly coiffed. Men were clean shaven, or a neatly trimmed beard. Shoes were shined by a gentleman on the street corner, or in the barber shop. Women wore heels, or at the very least, "sensible" shoes. Took off our hats indoors. Riding on a train or plane we dressed our nicest. At home, even by yourself, you still wore slacks and a collared shirt.
And we were a polite society. Yes sir, no ma'am. Held doors open for each other. Shook hands as a greeting.
I still take of my hat when I walk indoors – even my “Damn dumbest” stocking cap, and I still hold doors open for others. The effects aren’t direct, but people pick up on your character. The results do show when merchants, bank tellers, etc. treat you differently than other customers, and in a good way, I might add. Also about dressing your finest when in public. When I started doing 1.5-2 mile walks for lunch, I’d be dressed in my black jacket, jeans, and yes, my stocking cap. People in the area would jaywalk to get on the opposite side of the street from me – not quite a street thug, but I had the appearance in a relative sense. That changed when from time to time I was in my slacks and white shirt for when I would be heading straight to a Lodge meeting directly after work. When these people saw me dressed presentable, people actually stopped jaywalking, and now are actually cordial when they pass me by on my walks, even in the winter when I was in my stocking cap, etc. Because they now know I’m not a street thug.
Things might have changed over the decades, but even today, how you dress and how you act do show your character and makes a difference. Even some of the younger crowd pick up on it. It’s worth the effort.
You should let me take you up to David Morgan, we'll get a really nice Akubra fit on your head, and you'll be so happy that you'll burn those stocking cap things!
Seriously though, yes, things certainly seemed more civilized. The airport is what gets me, what passes for reasonable attire there. Nothing like sitting almost on top of someone in a 737 who hasn't bothered to bathe in a day or two.
Brother, you had me holding my breath in the first half of this post.
Lo and behold at the end of the post I was met with relief over my choice in attire to help with setup.
I love the post and the topic of discussion. I occasionally wonder if finery may be as restrictive to Masonic outreach as simple clothing sometimes seems perceived to be…
Personally I believe that the best dress for a Lodge is that dress which is most reflective of the Lodge.
Putting a bunch of guys in Tuxedos who are uncomfortable wearing Tuxedos, can't afford one that fits, and don't know how to wear them is nuts.
Likewise putting a bunch of guys in T-Shirts who are much more comfortable in jacket and tie is nuts.
The clothing needs to 'fit' the men and the Lodge.
And if we are really smart, we'll turn that into something akin to a Lodge Uniform. Esoterika Lodge looks awfully sharp in their black suits and plain white aprons. Skykomish Lodge looks awfully sharp in their Railroader clothes.
Here in my town, it's Hickory Shirts all the way, but alas, that's a story for another day.
I like the cut of your jib, Brother. I agree having a common theme to tie it together has a nice effect. I had a conversation with a Brother the other day about accents, colors, or accessories to show the blend of unity and individuality in harmony.
I’d like to get your take on that next time I see you.
MWPGM Bailey, for my Installation as Master of Everett Lodge No. 137, I wore my US Army Dress Blue Uniform (I don't own a Tuxedo).
So for that first meeting, my hat was appropriate (Field Grade Officer headgear). Ha! This essay from you about your headgear and baseball caps got me laughing. I've retired to Florida, so my American Legion baseball cap, and my shorts, are now SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)! Ha!
The uniform would have been quite awesome Installation wear!
Yeah, when I make my frequent trips to Puerto Vallarta it's shorts and a Tilley hat for me. Nothing else can beat the sun, even though one shudders to think what people might think having to look at my legs! 🤠
"And I believe that our clothing, particularly our hats (if we choose to wear them) communicate our values to others..."
I could not agree with this more, Cameron. While I will occasionally wear the standard 'baseball cap' (usually either a simple 'blank' hat, or one of my GOA caps) when doing mundane things, most of the time my hat projects a vibe of who I am at my core.
Keen observations, good sir...
Thank you sir!
One bit of good news on the hat front...
When I was a young man, for a brief period, corduroy ball caps became popular for some crazy reason. Then went out of style just as quickly. But, I notice that they are back! And I've still got a couple favorites from all those decades ago kicking around. I'm thinking I might have to take one for a spin soon.
The article Cameron linked in his post is dead on.
If you look at any picture from the 1950s of a bustling city, you'll notice every man wore a suit, tie, and a fedora. Every woman wore a skirt and blouse. Hair perfectly coiffed. Men were clean shaven, or a neatly trimmed beard. Shoes were shined by a gentleman on the street corner, or in the barber shop. Women wore heels, or at the very least, "sensible" shoes. Took off our hats indoors. Riding on a train or plane we dressed our nicest. At home, even by yourself, you still wore slacks and a collared shirt.
And we were a polite society. Yes sir, no ma'am. Held doors open for each other. Shook hands as a greeting.
And then...along came the hippies.
I still take of my hat when I walk indoors – even my “Damn dumbest” stocking cap, and I still hold doors open for others. The effects aren’t direct, but people pick up on your character. The results do show when merchants, bank tellers, etc. treat you differently than other customers, and in a good way, I might add. Also about dressing your finest when in public. When I started doing 1.5-2 mile walks for lunch, I’d be dressed in my black jacket, jeans, and yes, my stocking cap. People in the area would jaywalk to get on the opposite side of the street from me – not quite a street thug, but I had the appearance in a relative sense. That changed when from time to time I was in my slacks and white shirt for when I would be heading straight to a Lodge meeting directly after work. When these people saw me dressed presentable, people actually stopped jaywalking, and now are actually cordial when they pass me by on my walks, even in the winter when I was in my stocking cap, etc. Because they now know I’m not a street thug.
Things might have changed over the decades, but even today, how you dress and how you act do show your character and makes a difference. Even some of the younger crowd pick up on it. It’s worth the effort.
You should let me take you up to David Morgan, we'll get a really nice Akubra fit on your head, and you'll be so happy that you'll burn those stocking cap things!
Hippies? Did you say hippies?
To write in our Masonic Cypher, do you mean those L H H F C F P?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJrRwTTqm0o
🤣🤠😎😂
Seriously though, yes, things certainly seemed more civilized. The airport is what gets me, what passes for reasonable attire there. Nothing like sitting almost on top of someone in a 737 who hasn't bothered to bathe in a day or two.
Yeaup, them be the ones!
Brother, you had me holding my breath in the first half of this post.
Lo and behold at the end of the post I was met with relief over my choice in attire to help with setup.
I love the post and the topic of discussion. I occasionally wonder if finery may be as restrictive to Masonic outreach as simple clothing sometimes seems perceived to be…
Personally I believe that the best dress for a Lodge is that dress which is most reflective of the Lodge.
Putting a bunch of guys in Tuxedos who are uncomfortable wearing Tuxedos, can't afford one that fits, and don't know how to wear them is nuts.
Likewise putting a bunch of guys in T-Shirts who are much more comfortable in jacket and tie is nuts.
The clothing needs to 'fit' the men and the Lodge.
And if we are really smart, we'll turn that into something akin to a Lodge Uniform. Esoterika Lodge looks awfully sharp in their black suits and plain white aprons. Skykomish Lodge looks awfully sharp in their Railroader clothes.
Here in my town, it's Hickory Shirts all the way, but alas, that's a story for another day.
I like the cut of your jib, Brother. I agree having a common theme to tie it together has a nice effect. I had a conversation with a Brother the other day about accents, colors, or accessories to show the blend of unity and individuality in harmony.
I’d like to get your take on that next time I see you.
A 'uniform' of sorts, consistently and widely worn certainly does help build bonds of Brotherhood.