It has been proven time and time again that history repeats itself. Although many may disagree, fashion is also included in history; trends reappear every few decades. Unfortunately, Americans are known for lacking in the fashion department, and we are stereotyped as “dressing for comfort.” I will never forget when my native French teacher once explained the difference between American and French women to the class. Her notion was that American women are more concerned with quantity as opposed to French women who have the main concern of quality over quantity. She also went on to say that while American businesswomen change into sneakers on their lunch breaks, one would never find a European woman doing such.
SN: As a legit fashionista, I was COMPLETELY offended; therefore, I made it a POINT to show up to class fresh everyday!
I have no clue when this unfortunate stereotype of Americans happened; the Italians have their shoes, the Spanish have their leather, the French, well the French are the ORIGINATORS of everything fashion, and us Americans, we have…frump! While the fashion industry has proven to be pretty brutal in regards to American get-ups in the women’s department, today’s post will highlight menswear, more specifically, the Dandy.
Merriam-Webster defines the term “Dandy” as: a man who gives exaggerated attention to personal appearance, andor something excellent in its class. Back to our HIStory lesson in fashion. A little known fact about the now uber American tune, “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” is that it was originally a British tune that mocked American fashion! During the American Revolution, the British “Red Coats,” had cohesive uniforms that were actually, impeccable.
The American soldiers (mainly landowners and famers), dressed in rags and whatever their standard(s) of living could afford to them (not much). The British tune was used to describe the ill-dressed Americans. In the chant, the verse “[Yankee Doodle] stuck a feather in his head and called it Macaroni,” notes the British ridicule of Americans. You see, the term “Macaroni,” was a “dandy” Italian style of dress, very popular in England at the time. The song alludes to the notion that the unintelligent, tattered American, simply stuck a feather in his hat and thought himself to be of equal caliber. The manner in which the British used the term “Yankee,” is similar to the modern-day idea of a “country bumpkin.”
Fast forward to modern times, and the term “dandy’ is still in use. As highlighted in the CBS segment entitled, I Am Dandy: The Return of the Elegant Gentleman,” by Nathaniel Adams and Rose Callahan, “exquisite gentleman,” or men with the dandy lifestyle exude “personal elegance.” The segment further explains “dandyism” by noting it’s originator. The Godfather of men’s fashion himself, British socialite Beau Brummell, established men’s fashion-his signature creation was the suit, worn with a necktie at all times, of course. Dandy men understand and often practice Brummell’s idea of spending at least five hours getting ready, striving for a refined appearance. As a firm believer that chivalry has basically diminished in general, I appreciate the dandy men, as chivalry is a way of life for these eccentrics. Gentlemen, dandy or not, are always a nice find, something like a rare gem.
As for the anthem, “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” eventually Americans came to appropriate the jingle; making it theirs, resulting in it actually being an insult to the British creators. It is my belief that this appropriation inevitably led to Americans being comfortable with being known for comfort (smh).
I am writing this post as a shout out to those dandy men; keep on stuntin because what is style without self expression anyways? In the words of Steve Madden, “Sidewalks are my runways;” I love a man that practices the notion, and uses everyday life as a fashion opportunity! Everyone knows I’m a sucker for style; you would never catch me in sneakers on my break, and I have to give MAJOR props to men that appreciate personal style. While Americans may be known for comfort, it is absolutely refreshing to witness those escaping the shackles of the awful stereotype. This is my thank you for being “different.”
References
“Dandy.” Merriam-Webster Dictionary Collegiate Dictionary, Edition. 2000. http://www.merriam-webster.com. 3 June 2014.
“The Dandy: Celebrating the Exquisite Gentleman.” CBS Sunday Morning. CBS Interactive Inc., New York. 15 June 2014.
A Blakward Perspective... 