Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-29

The raggedness of the unemployed
has its appeal, no doubt about that.
There is many a man in immaculate
suit and hat who would give a great
deal to be able to wear such carefree,
comfortable clothes.
The only time they get to do so now
is in the Summer, when they go away
to camp for a few weeks. or when
coming home on an ocean liner l-om
Europe.
Then they let their boards grow, and
have fine time lounging around.
The unemployed however, possess
the right to dress as they please, with
out comment. and that is great deal
in such world as this.
Probably the eXigencies OF their case
demand some care, even, to a rough
appearance; but surely their garments
in most instances seem warm ana
comfortable, as all clothes are COM
Portable which are we'll worn.
Well worn clothes make a special APP
peal to some natures. The reason for
this is twofold. In the first place,
some men-we speak only of men
dislike new garments on general prin-
ciples.
The new suit or the new overcoat
presents them with strain which they
do not like They feel i'll at ease in
it. and would much rather be wearing
some cid article full of wrinkles and
creaSeS.
This is a trait which has nothing at
all to do with money. Some wealthy
men fall into this category. Such men
always are forgiven their "idicSyncrasy,
as it is called If they feel better in
old clothes, well, that is their right!
x x X x
Those who may happen to be neither
wealthy nor famous find we'll pressed
clothes more in keeping with their
mediocrity, the mediocrity of good
taste.
Garment manufacturers have con-
Spired to impress upon the American
mind that to be well dressed gives one
successful air." and there is prob
ably some truth in the assertion.
The claim receives an awful jolt,
however. if the suspicious one happens
to notice that office boys, as n class,
are tremendously we'll dressed.
The other reason for like Of old
clothes approaches nearer to a mans
bosom. Old clothes are comfortable.
They have adapted themselves to the
kinks in a mans frame, they bend
where they should bend, and, alas, often
stay bent when they should not.
Hence it comes about that those
strait-laced persons who have sWal-
lowed, hook, line and sinker, the good
propaganda of the garment makers,
often look askance upon their associates
who refuse to be well pressed.
The latter may admit they should
dress better" but when it comes down
to an actual reform they find so much
philosophy on their side that in
yariably they hesitate to disturb the
well worn nature of their clothing.
This old SLOUGH hat, which had seen
the storms of several Winters, reminds
them of the noble words of that great
heather, Walt Whitman.
Il wear my hat as 1 please, indoors
and out" said he.
There is favorite photo of Walt, as
a young man, with his trousers baggy
at the knees, his shirt unbuttoned at
the neck, his felt hat tilted at mag
nificent angle. You will find the pic
ture, in most editions, illustrating the
poem, Song of Myself"
X X
To discover the fundamental differ
ence between the svelte dressars and
the careless you will have to do more
than lapse into inyectives against the
latter.
The difference is state of mind.