My Dad was never a big fan of change. Instead of a real coffee table, the man used a plastic Fisher Price kids table for about 25 years of his life. He claimed he had just gotten used to it and that it was the perfect height for our couch. But, in all honesty I think he just liked having the allusion that his kids were still kids. Change is inevitable, but my Dad resisted it as much as he could in most aspects of his life. This definitely included fashion choices. My Dad pretty much stuck to jeans, polos, and button downs his whole life (and apparently a lot of jeans with no shirt in the 70s). Being a lawyer, he of course also had his fair share of suits and blazers, particularly ones with patches on the elbows. Remember when blazers with elbow patches became really popular again? My Dad obviously never paid attention to the trends, so it was always funny when he accidentally was back in style again. Although he never was exactly “into fashion”, he had his own style for sure. I’ve learned over the years that even guys who act like they don’t care about fashion, are usually still particular about what they wear. In fact, my Dad was incredibly particular about his shoes.
For whatever reason, in the 70s my Dad fell in love with a particular boot made by the company Florsheim. He became so attached to these boots and wore them throughout the decades to come, buying several pairs in both brown and black. At some point they changed the design of the boot slightly and my Dad also could no longer find them in stores. This didn’t stop my Dad though. He ordered them online, had the heel adjusted, and dyed them to be the color he was used to. Change is inevitable, and you can’t always fight it, but sometimes something is worth adjusting to make it feel the way you felt when you fell in love with it in the beginning.
As I sit here on Father’s Day remembering my Dad and looking through old photos, I am fully aware that change is inevitable. But it’s comforting to know that up until his very last moments, my Dad still had a special and pure heart almost like that of a child’s. He never wanted to grow old, and he never did. He was always full of blind optimism and cared for everyone around him with no self gain in mind. I think about my Dad every day and the knowledge and strength he has given me to be a better person is what he leaves behind in me and the rest of the special family that he created. I love you Dad.
this photo cracks me up and should totally be in the “Dads are the Original Hipsters” book I saw at Urban Outfitters
Ok, I guess his style did change a little, because at some point my Dad decided to start rockin’ a stache. I guess he just wanted to be a trend starter for a change.
Happy Father’s Day to all the awesome dads out there.
I miss you Dad!
Joanna Wilkinson
Keep Austin Stylish