A reader recently pointed out to me this photo taken in Newport in 1962. You’ve probably seen images of John F. Kennedy on this day before, but this shot includes another man whose initials are also JFK.
What’s more, there’s a nice polo coat in the middle of the frame. You’re probably eager to break out yours, but let’s not rush things. Early autumn is one of my favorite times of year. And speaking of Newport and this delightful and transitional time of year, here’s Newport Jazz Festival legend Anita O’Day doing the lesser-known standard “Early Autumn.”
Will there be an indian summer? Hope so, as I like that tune even more. — CC
While I am decidedly not a fan of Mr. Kerry, his policies or of his recent behaviour with the Iranians, I do like that photograph, and his necktie. I’d also like to opine momentarily upon that gloriously luscious camel hair coat; magnificent!
I really do miss seeing adults dressed like adults, in clothing that fits, and is suitable to the occasion….
I’m with Evan as well. Beautiful clothing worn by spectators at a sporting event. Today it is difficult to find well dressed adults even at a wedding.
And thanks, Christian for the tune. I had not heard Ms. O’Day’s lovely version; I am partial Ella Fitzgerald’s rendition too. I also recommend Autumn in New York, which I think Sinatra handled as well as anybody, and of course Autumn Leaves and ‘Tis Autumn by Nat King Cole. Or, moving ahead a decade or so for a change of pace, The Kinks’ Autumn Almanac.
A few leaves are just barely starting to show some color in the Blue Ridge near my house, and I am looking forward to crisp days and evening fires. I’m in silk/linen/wool tweed today, but I actually brought out a wool Brookstweed sport coat for cocktails on the porch a couple of nights ago. It won’t be long before the flannels and tweeds come out in force.
I like Kerry’s tie and almost wore that one myself today but opted for the navy with white stripe. The bar stripe has become a favorite of mine and if I had to limit myself to one tie it might be the navy and white. I am jealous of Charlottesville and others who get to experience fall weather and break out the tweed. It is 84 in the DFW area today and it will be some time before we get true fall weather which is one of the only regrets I have since moving from Chicago.
Since no one else is sporting outwear in the photo, is it possible that the man is wearing a light weight Spring/Fall version of the Polo Coat? The same style, but made of cotton twill instead of the heavier camelhair wool mix for winter.
This photo is truly amazing because it really gives you a sense of underlying elegance that existed back when general forms of dress were much more homogeneous.
No one seems to understand how dressing for the occasion can make life’s moments more enjoyable. Coat and tie aside, this past weekend I took my family to a ‘Fall Festival’ with all the cliche tropes; apple picking, pumpkins, wagon rides, cider donuts etc. The fair isle, corduroy, wax coats, and duck boots were nowhere to be found. Instead, a sea of Under Armor, ratty sneakers and sports jerseys. I obviously don’t expect people from a multitude of backgrounds to all dress like New England caricatures, but what we see today is a general disregard for any effort at all.
Benjamin – “what we see today is a general disregard for any effort at all.”
Truer words were never spoken. Like Jerry Seinfeld on George Costanza’s sweat pants, “You know the message you’re sending out to the world with these sweatpants? You’re telling the world, ‘I give up. I can’t compete in normal society. I’m miserable, so I might as well be comfortable.”
I grew up thinking Democrats were better at everything–school, sports, looking great. The lasting effects of an extraordinary bunch–the Liberal Establishment. JFK’s ongoing influence is part of it, but it goes beyond his charm, good taste, humor, wit, and cool. I remember hearing stories about Sarge Reynolds and other (equally preppy) remnants of New Deal optimism. Even nowadays, the GOP suffers from affiliations with boring people (Chamber of Commerce types) and thoroughly boring ideas. Nobody’s going to leave a room energized and inspired after a hearing a speech on the merits of supply side economics.
In my not so humble opinion, as Taki says, Forbes Kerry was a better dresser back then than now that he is on the dime of Teresa. He is a walking billboard for Vineyard Vines. They or he should not brag. Maybe soon he will be wearing Iranian clothes.
Of course, the best dressed of all either seeking or occupying the Oval Office was FDR. The supreme Democrat. Never been anyone close to him. Or anybody anywhere better. Speaking about clothes only.
Interesting photo. Kerry, a freshman at Yale at the time, was dating Jacqueline Kennedy’s half-sister, Janet Auchincloss. That’s how he got on the boat.
@Benjamin: I agree with you that it’s sometimes disappointing to see what families wear to ‘Fall Festivals’ and the like at this time of year. Although I also have to say, I don’t know where you live, but here in Annapolis you’re rarely going to see “corduroy, wax coats and duck boots” in September; we’re lucky if it gets cool enough to wear those items when we pick our pumpkins for Halloween!
Most presidents display their personal styles in their casual wear: Kennedy on a sailboat, Reagan on a horse, Clinton in his (ugh) jogging shorts, LBJ and W at their ranches in Texas, and Obama at the beach.
I frankly don’t have an off-duty image of HW as president, but I’d guess he was clad in the relaxed New England prep of his earlier days. I don’t even want to consider Nixon.
Obviously, Kennedy had the best, but Reagan was only a boot step behind. Obama showed the least style, always playing it safe. Clinton never really recovered from those shorts, and his style was firmly in last place — until the current POTUS showed up.
JFK x 2. John Forbes Kerry.
Have we become a PR outlet for the Democrat National Committee here?
While I am decidedly not a fan of Mr. Kerry, his policies or of his recent behaviour with the Iranians, I do like that photograph, and his necktie. I’d also like to opine momentarily upon that gloriously luscious camel hair coat; magnificent!
I really do miss seeing adults dressed like adults, in clothing that fits, and is suitable to the occasion….
What Evan said.
The coat looks a bit flimsy to me.
I’m with Evan as well. Beautiful clothing worn by spectators at a sporting event. Today it is difficult to find well dressed adults even at a wedding.
And thanks, Christian for the tune. I had not heard Ms. O’Day’s lovely version; I am partial Ella Fitzgerald’s rendition too. I also recommend Autumn in New York, which I think Sinatra handled as well as anybody, and of course Autumn Leaves and ‘Tis Autumn by Nat King Cole. Or, moving ahead a decade or so for a change of pace, The Kinks’ Autumn Almanac.
A few leaves are just barely starting to show some color in the Blue Ridge near my house, and I am looking forward to crisp days and evening fires. I’m in silk/linen/wool tweed today, but I actually brought out a wool Brookstweed sport coat for cocktails on the porch a couple of nights ago. It won’t be long before the flannels and tweeds come out in force.
I like Kerry’s tie and almost wore that one myself today but opted for the navy with white stripe. The bar stripe has become a favorite of mine and if I had to limit myself to one tie it might be the navy and white. I am jealous of Charlottesville and others who get to experience fall weather and break out the tweed. It is 84 in the DFW area today and it will be some time before we get true fall weather which is one of the only regrets I have since moving from Chicago.
Fear not NaturalShoulder!
A norther is blowing into Texas tomorrow, and I hear the temperatures are going to plunge into the mid-70’s.
What Evan said.
NaturalShoulder, I live in San Antonio and I couldn’t agree more, although at age 68 I would not survive a Chicago winter.
@Vern Trotter,
Always pleased when a Republican shows his true colors.
These type comments are tongue in cheek.
Vern,
I was even more pleased when I learned that it was a tongue-in-cheek comment.
The woman in yellow is how Lena Dunham could be….
Love all these conservatives offended by a photo of a democrats
@abovethefray
Even the mention of a Democrat offends them, poor dears.
@Old School Tie.
Since no one else is sporting outwear in the photo, is it possible that the man is wearing a light weight Spring/Fall version of the Polo Coat? The same style, but made of cotton twill instead of the heavier camelhair wool mix for winter.
This photo is truly amazing because it really gives you a sense of underlying elegance that existed back when general forms of dress were much more homogeneous.
@Evan Everhart.
No one seems to understand how dressing for the occasion can make life’s moments more enjoyable. Coat and tie aside, this past weekend I took my family to a ‘Fall Festival’ with all the cliche tropes; apple picking, pumpkins, wagon rides, cider donuts etc. The fair isle, corduroy, wax coats, and duck boots were nowhere to be found. Instead, a sea of Under Armor, ratty sneakers and sports jerseys. I obviously don’t expect people from a multitude of backgrounds to all dress like New England caricatures, but what we see today is a general disregard for any effort at all.
Benjamin – “what we see today is a general disregard for any effort at all.”
Truer words were never spoken. Like Jerry Seinfeld on George Costanza’s sweat pants, “You know the message you’re sending out to the world with these sweatpants? You’re telling the world, ‘I give up. I can’t compete in normal society. I’m miserable, so I might as well be comfortable.”
I grew up thinking Democrats were better at everything–school, sports, looking great. The lasting effects of an extraordinary bunch–the Liberal Establishment. JFK’s ongoing influence is part of it, but it goes beyond his charm, good taste, humor, wit, and cool. I remember hearing stories about Sarge Reynolds and other (equally preppy) remnants of New Deal optimism. Even nowadays, the GOP suffers from affiliations with boring people (Chamber of Commerce types) and thoroughly boring ideas. Nobody’s going to leave a room energized and inspired after a hearing a speech on the merits of supply side economics.
Anyone else think the gent in the Polo coat bears a resemblance to the Ben Silver proprietor?
In my not so humble opinion, as Taki says, Forbes Kerry was a better dresser back then than now that he is on the dime of Teresa. He is a walking billboard for Vineyard Vines. They or he should not brag. Maybe soon he will be wearing Iranian clothes.
Of course, the best dressed of all either seeking or occupying the Oval Office was FDR. The supreme Democrat. Never been anyone close to him. Or anybody anywhere better. Speaking about clothes only.
Vern, would Harry Truman make your list?
@Benjamin – I think you you’re right. Indeed, no you have me thinking, I have seen “flimsy” versions of this coat in moleskin too….
Interesting photo. Kerry, a freshman at Yale at the time, was dating Jacqueline Kennedy’s half-sister, Janet Auchincloss. That’s how he got on the boat.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/04/americas_john_kerry0s_life/html/3.stm
@Benjamin: I agree with you that it’s sometimes disappointing to see what families wear to ‘Fall Festivals’ and the like at this time of year. Although I also have to say, I don’t know where you live, but here in Annapolis you’re rarely going to see “corduroy, wax coats and duck boots” in September; we’re lucky if it gets cool enough to wear those items when we pick our pumpkins for Halloween!
Most presidents display their personal styles in their casual wear: Kennedy on a sailboat, Reagan on a horse, Clinton in his (ugh) jogging shorts, LBJ and W at their ranches in Texas, and Obama at the beach.
I frankly don’t have an off-duty image of HW as president, but I’d guess he was clad in the relaxed New England prep of his earlier days. I don’t even want to consider Nixon.
Obviously, Kennedy had the best, but Reagan was only a boot step behind. Obama showed the least style, always playing it safe. Clinton never really recovered from those shorts, and his style was firmly in last place — until the current POTUS showed up.
@Whiskeydent: It’s not hard to find photos of HW off duty during his term. Here’s one: https://hips.hearstapps.com/toc.h-cdn.co/assets/cm/14/37/540fe33780f23_-_51092342_10-lg.jpg
Two old lines from around Boston
JFK: Just For Kerry
John Kerry: Irish every six years