Looking the part
Discussion
The other day a blue MX-5 went by with the roof down driven by a lad wearing a blue jacket and baseball cap that matched the car. Behind it was a red MX-5 with the roof down being driven by a girl in a red jacket and baseball cap that matched the car. Do you dress for the car? Clearly some people do. When I was moving cars for a living I didn't, except on one occasion I was asked to move a prewar car under its own steam rather than on the truck and I confess to being a bit tweedier than normal.
When we moved to this house twenty years ago, one of the neighbours looked incongruously country set. Yes, we live in Berkshire but this particular bit hasn't been farmland for more than a hundred years. He drove a Series 2 Discovery and wore a Barbour trench coat and fedora - in all weathers. Then, one day, the Discovery had gone and was replaced by a huge Japanese pick-up truck. To celebrate the new arrival he was dressed like a lumberjack. Calm down, mate, you look a bit ridiculous. Now he is retired and dresses in a very drab way. Regular clothes, but drab. And he drives a bedraggled 2006 Ka with every rusty area tradition demands of an unloved Ka.
If I've spruced up my car and then have to go to the tip I feel self-consciously scruffy; nice car, scruffy driver. Yeah, but I'm at the tip, I can be scruffy. Oh, dear. Non-existent problems.
Years ago I saw a middle-aged bloke in a white Panther Lima wearing a white leather flying suit with matching leather helmet and Amelia Earhart goggles. He parked and climbed out. The flying suit had been tailored to fit his enormous beer gut. The ensemble didn't achieved what he presumably hoped it would.
Okay. Comments, confessions, sights you've seen. What have you got?
When we moved to this house twenty years ago, one of the neighbours looked incongruously country set. Yes, we live in Berkshire but this particular bit hasn't been farmland for more than a hundred years. He drove a Series 2 Discovery and wore a Barbour trench coat and fedora - in all weathers. Then, one day, the Discovery had gone and was replaced by a huge Japanese pick-up truck. To celebrate the new arrival he was dressed like a lumberjack. Calm down, mate, you look a bit ridiculous. Now he is retired and dresses in a very drab way. Regular clothes, but drab. And he drives a bedraggled 2006 Ka with every rusty area tradition demands of an unloved Ka.
If I've spruced up my car and then have to go to the tip I feel self-consciously scruffy; nice car, scruffy driver. Yeah, but I'm at the tip, I can be scruffy. Oh, dear. Non-existent problems.
Years ago I saw a middle-aged bloke in a white Panther Lima wearing a white leather flying suit with matching leather helmet and Amelia Earhart goggles. He parked and climbed out. The flying suit had been tailored to fit his enormous beer gut. The ensemble didn't achieved what he presumably hoped it would.
Okay. Comments, confessions, sights you've seen. What have you got?
Just the idea that you and your car are some kind of double-act who have to dress appropriately is a very alien idea to me.
No doubt we have all absent mindedly browsed through a manufacturer’s or car club merch section.
And maybe even started to seriously consider something before realising with a jolt that nothing good could ever come of such an idea.
No doubt we have all absent mindedly browsed through a manufacturer’s or car club merch section.
And maybe even started to seriously consider something before realising with a jolt that nothing good could ever come of such an idea.
Glenn63 said:
Surely the dress is for what your doing once destination is reached? For me either gym/dog walking or work gear as I seem to do not much else at the moment!
You'd think. But the guy in the white leather flying suit and beer gut was in the West End of London, miles from the nearest airfield. It was a car-and-themed-clothes ensemble he was attempting. And judging by the disdainful look on his face, he thought his mission was accomplished.I let it begin with my first MK3 Cortina - Platform shoes, Pin-stripe suit with big lapels and a kipper tie. Topped off with a black Samsonite briefcase.
Then there was my Volvo Estate - Barbour jacket, check shirt and a flat cap. Accessorised with a pair of green wellies in the back.
Now, my P38 - For any meaningful journey - Gilet with a Land Rover logo, Brown cords and another check shirt (Larger than in the Volvo days!) I'm toying with a pair of Churches and a Baker boy cap. Is that a step too far?
BMW Targa is getting nearer to being finished - longest restoration in history - I'd have thought baseball cap and a bomber jacket but that's just not me - 'specially at 72 years of age! Maybe a 'biggles' outfit - What say you?
Then there was my Volvo Estate - Barbour jacket, check shirt and a flat cap. Accessorised with a pair of green wellies in the back.
Now, my P38 - For any meaningful journey - Gilet with a Land Rover logo, Brown cords and another check shirt (Larger than in the Volvo days!) I'm toying with a pair of Churches and a Baker boy cap. Is that a step too far?
BMW Targa is getting nearer to being finished - longest restoration in history - I'd have thought baseball cap and a bomber jacket but that's just not me - 'specially at 72 years of age! Maybe a 'biggles' outfit - What say you?
Glenn63 said:
Surely the dress is for what your doing once destination is reached?
It is but me in a dress isn't a good look.This sort of get up to match your car?
Or, make your car match what you are wearing?
Actually just found out Barbour did a Landrover Defender collection, what's not to like?
Edited by Bobupndown on Sunday 5th May 11:01
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