Great point, Rusty. Before the Baby-Boomer culture reset all the standards, even criminals were more serious and self-respecting, as can be seen in this collection of vintage police lineup photos.
As Jason Toon says:
These natty sharps never would’ve been caught dead in a soiled wifebeater, or a gigantic puffy Chicago Bulls coat, or a pair of oversized pants hanging halfway down their thighs. I’m glad I didn’t have to live through the Depression – but at least that era’s bad men looked like men and not hyperthyroidal first-graders.
Back in the day men knew how to look like men: heroes wore khakis and the bad guys wore six-on-one double-breasted suits with jetted pockets and a pocket square.
December 18th, 2009 | 11:43 am
I saw a quotation a few days back, and of course I’ve forgotten the source. But the idea was that in healthy civilizations, the poor try to emulate the rich, and in dying civilizations, the rich try to emulate the poor. I remembered it (but not the source) because I’ve held that opinion for a long time.
December 18th, 2009 | 4:49 pm
Lars,
Jonah Goldberg solicited a source for that quote in National Review’s weblog the Corner, then used it in his most recent article.
Joe,
I suspect that you are looking at organized crime there. Organized criminals still wear suits now, and common criminals didn’t wear suits then.
Even if I’m wrong, at least the KKK hasn’t changed. ;-)
December 23rd, 2009 | 7:31 pm
I’m glad real men kill people in coats and ties and not in “trash” clothes! That certainly does show respect for the human person!
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