Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-02-05
Personal Traits Indicated by Collars and
Cravats.

In looking at the picture of a group Of
fraternity men from one of the large
universities, recently taken, a college man
from another institution undertook to
make some characterization of each man
in the picture, from the style of collar
and cravat which he wore, and the de
gree of accuracy with which the descrip-
ton of traits of the various individuals
htted the facts was both amusing and
surprising. Other circumstances, notably
the look of unSophisticated verdure may
have helped in the designation of the
freshmen pledges, but the cravat was
also an indication, being in about every
case the modest, narrow four-in-hand,
worn with tightly drawn turnover col
lar; and large scarf pin placed with
mathematical precision below the knot
by an inch and a half. The men who
had the general freshman appearance,
but wore a broad four-in-hand with
low turnover, was picked out--Correctly
AS a prospective honor man, and the
one with the high wing collar and broad
foLr-in-hand, as the ideal of high school
graduating class of year ago. A broad,
black bow, worn with a turn-doWu collar
of medium height, was indicative of an
upper classman holding some official po-
tition; very low collar with the same
style tie, was taken as the mark OF a
vocalist, or viohniSt, certainly musl-
clan. Three men wearing low poke col
lars, with slightly haring ends and bow
ties, were picked out as the public speak
ers, probably law students, and the
guess was two-thirds correct. A wing
collar and bow tie of light color, was
the sign of the man who was the frat
house censor, the general self-appointed
critic. n wing collar, with black ascot.
was worn by the man who was charac-
terized as probably having political as
pirations. A very high turnover collar
with narrow bow, was named as chap
lain. being in fact registered in the di-
vinity hall. And the frat house business
manager was identified by his low turn
over collar, with broad foLr-in-hand, tied
with a small knot and small scarf pin.
This character reading from collar and
scarf signs was undertaken and carried
out for simple amusement, but it proved
to be Indicative of the fact which men
are approaching more generally every
season. that the impressions made by
their appearance is not entirely THAI
created by the general effect, but by
some conspicuous detail of their attire.
And corresponding attention is couse-
quently being given therefore to effects
and details which give the we'll dressed
man ample opportunity to exercise ms
artistic sense in selecting garments and
occasions that are characteristic OF him.
The promptness with which almost
every new and extreme style in men
clothing is branded as college style
indicates that there must be some char
acteristic of the college man which con
meets him with the unusual the novel.
This Characteristic is probably his i'm
patience with restraint of any kind
the natural result of his introduction 10
large studies which emancipate his
thought-and of the awakening Of hlS
initiative, urged on by competition with
the other men with whom he is aseo-
Plnrp6 r nm 9th
tons. The novel appeals to him. the
extreme attracts him, and his clothes
not only satisfy his tastes, but, with =
degree of accuracy, reflect this TRAIT Oh
his disposition, which may be more char
acteristic of his class and position than
Of himself, generally. Taste for extreme
STYLES in clothes is not an essential char
acterstic of the college man, but IS SIM
ply an indication, symptom, of the fuH-
damental change which he is undergo
ing. which is to make of him leader
pace setter.-Fairchild's Magazlnt-