Authentic Americana

I do not think that this is an intentional fashion trend. It is unlike the designer labels of the 80's, unlike the grunge of the 90's. The title is a little misleading, people are not shooting for chic--they are not trying to impress anyone with their Lacoste polo, they are simply making themselves feel better by wearing Timberlands. I live in Portland, Oregon, and this "look" is quite common here, especially in recent years. Portland has become very yuppy, and now many are sick of this culture. It is almost a cleansing, a new focus. Although Americans may have just gone from Nordstrom's to Eddie Bauer, they are going in their own direction. The Europization of America, is now reversing. Grandpa's clothing are a symbol of work, self-fulfillment. This clothing was designed to be outdoor/work wear--Americans, although pragmatic, are expressing their need for practicality and relaxation.

It's a Dr. Who and "steam punk" look. I like it better than the sweat pants, hoody thing that's been cool for the past five years or so. This style almost harkens back to the original mod movement too. I hope it sticks for awhile.

Dude, I kind of dig that dude's style in the pic. Maybe we should start a "Grampa Styles" movement or some ***.

Basically, K-Mart is now high fashion?

Perhaps the preference for the image rather than the reality is a reflection of the cause for our present difficulties. If you would rather have the appearance with a flashy price tag rather than the real value in your clothing, how good are your other professional choices?

Don't trust Newsweek for objective reporting.

This reminds me of the 1990s. You know, when people we're wearing four hundred dollar versions of what grunge and goth kids we're picking up at the Good Will? So very, very silly.

I knew if I kept my Dad's clothes long enough they'd come back!
Christopher Thaens
Tampa Bay, Florida

The fashion industry is a complete joke and has no real value.

We see the same thing in women's tennis. They've dropped both the rhumba pants of the 1960s and 70s, and the granny panties worn in the 1980s and 90s, and gone all the way back to great-grandma's Playtex Living Girdles.

I have been dressing this way my entire life and never thought it would be trendy... I am originally from upstate new york and now living in manhattan. Most of my "outdoorsman" clothing are finds from my grandfathers closet or have been passed on from my father....My Woolrich field jacket from my grandfather, red wings, ll bean maine hunting shoes...all with real wear and not fabricated distressing. I find it funny that all these hipsters who probably have never even been in the woods are dressing like lumberjacks and hunters. Granted some of these designers who are collaborating with these American workwear producers are putting out nice garments, i can't see spending hundreds of dollars for these items that are just a twist on what the company already sells.

Great-Grandma's clothes are bad either. I love the suits and hats women wore in the 1940s and 50s. Clothes like those worn in the movies by Ingrid Bergman, Betty Davis, Lena Horne and Lauren Bacall. They were sexy and smooth, but gave women a confidence and independent air about them. Flowing Satin eveningware with low cut backs and plunging neck lines along with Roaring 20s chimey dresses. They were cool! I'd like to see some of those make a comeback.

I have been dressing this way my entire life and never thought it would be trendy... I am originally from upstate new york and now living in manhattan. Most of my "outdoorsman" clothing are finds from my grandfathers closet or have been passed on from my father....My Woolrich field jacket from my grandfather, red wings, ll bean maine hunting shoes...all with real wear and not fabricated distressing. I find it funny that all these hipsters who probably have never even been in the woods are dressing like lumberjacks and hunters. Granted some of these designers who are collaborating with these American workwear producers are putting out nice garments, i can't see spending hundreds of dollars for these items that are just a twist on what the company already sells.

As long as they don't smell like Grandpa's clothes, I'm good with it.

As long as they don't smell like Grandpa's clothes, I'm good with it.

Tom Wolfe's "The Right Stuff" describes these types pretty well: Pudknockers.