From My Window

By Jane Thibodeau Martin,

I ventured out pretty early on Dec. 26 to hit the after Christmas sales. No, my objective was not to do returns, or buy decorations on sale 75% off for next year " I was in search of items for the wardrobe I'll be needing next Christmas.

I have kept a very close eye on the weather in Wisconsin for the last 18 years. I check the forecast every single morning, usually before I am even out of bed, for the area of our new home. And what I have been seeing told me I have some pretty significant wardrobe deficits. Now, this severe and prolonged cold snap has not been typical of the last few years in Wisconsin. Nonetheless, my drawers crammed with shorts and sleeveless shirts, geared toward our scorching Oklahoma summers, will not get much use once we move. What I am in need of is more warm sweatshirts, socks and knitted headbands. So I went and loaded up at post-Christmas sale prices, and believe me, good looks or fashion were not at all a part of my buying equation.

While I was digging around in the bins of winter hats, I suddenly remembered the stylish headgear that every kid had for a time in the mid-60's. It was stocking-type hats, but with long, long tails with tassels on the end hanging down the back almost to the rump. (Sort of like extreme elf hats.) They were nearly always horizontally striped and in bright colors. A nice thing about this style: nearly all kids had the hats, as they were quite inexpensive so even kids from large families had them. Also odd " one of the few "style" things that was truly unisex " both boys and girls wore the hats. The interesting thing is the primary design feature of the popular hat contributed nothing in the way of warmth or utility. It WAS handy for grabbing to pull off other people's hats, but it was simply a style thing, without purpose.

On the other hand, we often adopt clothing that has an actually utility to it, because we suddenly see it as "stylish." How these things get started escapes me. An example is the carpenter-style jeans I wore in college. The long pocket down one leg was intended for a "folding ruler" used by carpenters, but it had no purpose whatsoever on women's jeans, ditto the hammer loop. But we all wore them for a year or two, and once everyone had the blue jean ones, the "style" switched to white ones, like painters wear. White pants have zero utility if you aren't a painter, they pick up dirt nearly telepathically. But I spent an entire year wearing them and of course endlessly stain treating and washing them.

Cowboy boots are another good example. The higher heel on them is a safety feature intended to keep a rider's foot from slipping through the saddle's stirrup " very utilitarian. But I constantly see women mincing along in high heeled cowboy boots here, stylishly it must be admitted, but for a utility boot for everyday use, something with a much lower heel would be way more practical. You are walking around in the mall in the boots, not riding a horse. Lose the high heel.

When I was in high school the most popular jacket around was a "snorkel" winter jacket. They had a sort of shiny, wind-resistant finish, always in army green or navy blue, because the military wear was where this style was appropriated from. The most unusual feature of these jackets was an oversized, fur-trimmed hood that you could extend to cover about 8 inches in front of your actual face " the "snorkel." Now this very warm hood was extremely utilitarian in the cold Wisconsin winters, but no one wore the jackets because they made sense " they were popular because of style.

One final example is motorcycle leathers. The purpose of the gear makes total sense " it is very wind-resistant, and protective of the rider's skin in case of falls. It also wears well. However, to a large extend, the practicality of this gear has been eclipsed by modern fabrics which are much more protective " Kevlar and similar body armor. Besides providing better protection, the high-tech gear often has reflective features, helping vehicle drivers see and avoid motorcyclists at night.

But the fashionable attire, almost the "uniform" of some bikers and some fashionistas who wear the gear without riding the bikes, has remained classic, studded and zippered black leather. I suspect this is nearly entirely a style decision, except for a few who may be trying to "use up" their leather before replacing it with newer material.

If you wanted to pick a material that would be a perfect disguise at night for a motorcycle rider, you'd probably pick black. It makes absolutely NO sense from a safety standard to wear black attire. What would make sense is blaze orange, or fluorescent yellow motorcycle leathers, if a traditionalist insists on leather riding gear. High visibility clothing has been adapted by lots of people who are at risk from high-speed traffic " and one of the most common ways motorcycle riders die is being hit by a vehicle operator who failed to see them.

But don't expect to see bikers in bright leather clothing any time soon. Most of us are susceptible to the vagaries of style, as any review of your own old photographs will reveal. Just don't look for me to be "styling" once we've relocated. I'm all about utility apparel when it's below zero, and I really don't care too much if I am a fashion maven, or not.

You can reach me for commentary, alternative viewpoints or ideas at this e-mail address: Janiethibmartin@gmail.com.

Recent stories, opinions and photos

Issue Date	Department	Headline
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Mary R. Billings
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Dennis F. Bomberry
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Elizabeth A. Borden
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Willard Carlton
02-14-2019	Obituaries	James R. Charapata
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Sean A. Cronin
02-14-2019	Obituaries	David H. Erdman
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Ann R. Foley
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Elmer O. Garbrecht
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Matthew S. Gunderson
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Karen F. Hatfield
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Erling Johnson
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Esther Kebschull
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Patti K. Klingbeil
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Bob Lindbom
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Helen M. Nichols
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Lester W. Oliver
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Carolyn J. Padgett
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Bonita Paulsen
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Gloria J. Pringle
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Jim Reno
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Stella A. Roberts
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Miranda M. Schwartzenberger
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Helene M. Smiltneek
02-14-2019	Obituaries	Marie A. Usher
02-14-2019	Sports	Thunder Claim Three Wins in Ashwaubenon
02-14-2019	Sports	Coleman Wins Regional Title; Area Wrestlers Advance to Sectionals
02-14-2019	Sports	Wausaukee Holds Half Game M&O Lead; Race to Be Decided This Week
02-14-2019	Sports	Crivitz Holds M&O Lead; Faces 2nd Place Coleman Monday
02-14-2019	Perspectives	Country Cousin
02-14-2019	Perspectives	From My Window
02-14-2019	Perspectives	From Our Readers
02-14-2019	Community - Wausaukee	Plan Maintenance On Wausaukee Town Hall
02-14-2019	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Lions Tournament Sign-Up
02-14-2019	Community - Wausaukee	Seed Swap at Wausaukee Library
02-14-2019	Community - Wausaukee	50 Units Blood Goal at Wausaukee
02-14-2019	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Woman's Club Offer Scholarships
02-14-2019	Community - Crivitz	Town Talks About Crivitz Fire District
02-14-2019	Community - Crivitz	Middle Inlet Board Meets On Feb. 14
02-14-2019	Community - Crivitz	Valentine Dance in Crivitz Feb. 16
02-14-2019	Community - Coleman	Coleman Utility Board OKs Pump Purchases
02-14-2019	Community - Coleman	District 2 KC Free Throw Winners
02-14-2019	Community - Coleman	Coleman Development, Kindergarten Registration
02-14-2019	Front Page	Digging Out
02-14-2019	Front Page	County Continues Revamp Of Economic Development
02-14-2019	Front Page	Primary Elections Tuesday, Feb. 19
02-14-2019	Front Page	Village of Pound Considers Employee Benefit Package
02-14-2019	Front Page	Peshtigo Committee Okays $1,516,849 Non-Lapsing Funds
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Roger F. Amundson
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Janice J. Bakkum
02-07-2019	Obituaries	George L. Benoit
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Annette M. (Samsa) Bevier
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Frances L. Bretl
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Mary Ann Czeto
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Veiga L. DeBenedetto
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Thomas A. Engebos
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Kerney Espy
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Darrell Franklin Faucett
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Gerald Flaws
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Donald G. Graef
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Mildred A. Hansen
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Helen J. Hombs
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Lois Huebner
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Robert P. Javor
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Katherine A. Kobe
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Terry Ann Koceja
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Barbara A. Krob
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Darlene L. Kroll
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Tami J. Lee
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Peter Milroy
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Judith A. Mollus
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Dean Peitersen
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Richard D. Peterson
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Carol M. Plog
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Louisa Rowell
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Ruth M. Shufelt
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Cheryl A. Strojny
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Mabel R. Thompson
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Charles J. Willemarck
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Douglas E. Wolfe
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Richard V. Yenchesky
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Cheri L. Zemke
02-07-2019	Obituaries	Frances A. Zuraski
02-07-2019	Sports	Excitement Builds Ahead of Feb. 9 Lake Winnebago Sturgeon Season
02-07-2019	Sports	Thunder Take Two From G.B. United
02-07-2019	Sports	Crivitz Holds Slim M&O Lead Over Wausaukee/Oneida
02-07-2019	Sports	Wolverines Hold Onto Lead in M&O
02-07-2019	Perspectives	Country Cousin
02-07-2019	Perspectives	From My Window
02-07-2019	Perspectives	From our readers
02-07-2019	Community - Wausaukee	Open Enrollment at Wausaukee School
02-07-2019	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Library Fruit Sale in Progress
02-07-2019	Community - Wausaukee	Tournament sign-Up
02-07-2019	Community - Wausaukee	50 Units Blood Goal at Wausaukee
02-07-2019	Community - Crivitz	High Falls Fish-O-Rama, Radar Run, & Winterfest
02-07-2019	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Church Valentine Dance
02-07-2019	Community - Crivitz	Jeff Dorschner, Crivitz Becomes Certified Athletic Administrator
02-07-2019	Community - Crivitz	Candlelight Recreation at Crivitz on Feb. 16th
02-07-2019	Community - Coleman	Coleman FBLA Students Qualify for State in April
02-07-2019	Community - Coleman	Coleman Development, Kindergarten Registration
02-07-2019	Front Page	Marinette County Celebrates 200th GED For Jail Inmates
02-07-2019	Front Page	Pound Village Special Meeting On Feb. 11
02-07-2019	Front Page	Peshtigo Okays Purchase Of Bundy Park Property
02-07-2019	Front Page	Plan April 1 Start For Coleman Elementary Renovation Work
02-07-2019	Front Page	Marinette Council Hears Update On Small Business Revolution
01-31-2019	Obituaries	Joseph B. Banaszak
01-31-2019	Obituaries	Charles L. Buechler
01-31-2019	Obituaries	Eileen Frances Bunker
01-31-2019	Obituaries	Leonard A. Dombrowski
01-31-2019	Obituaries	Eugene T. Gillis Sr.
01-31-2019	Obituaries	Raymond Gordon
01-31-2019	Obituaries	Sandra L. Griffin
01-31-2019	Obituaries	Darrell R. Hebert
01-31-2019	Obituaries	Robert L. Hicks
01-31-2019	Obituaries	Laura K. Hujet
01-31-2019	Obituaries	Shara L. Krahling
01-31-2019	Obituaries	Donna B. Lorang
01-31-2019	Obituaries	Gerald Martens
01-31-2019	Obituaries	Victor L. McGuire
01-31-2019	Obituaries	Ruth A. Moore
01-31-2019	Obituaries	Lavern C. Parshen
01-31-2019	Obituaries	Howard G. Peterson
01-31-2019	Obituaries	Carol J. Quever
01-31-2019	Obituaries	James M. Rasmussen
01-31-2019	Obituaries	Beatrice V. Shevy
01-31-2019	Obituaries	Marilyn A. Stevens
01-31-2019	Perspectives	Country Cousin
01-31-2019	Perspectives	From My Window
01-31-2019	Perspectives	From our readers
01-31-2019	Sports	Cougars Win Prestigious 50th Annual Pulaski Invite
01-31-2019	Sports	Family Honors Former DNR Chief Conservation Warden
01-31-2019	Sports	Coleman Slips Past Suring
01-31-2019	Sports	Crivitz Tops M&O Leaders; Race Tightens
01-31-2019	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Library Fruit Sale in Progress
01-31-2019	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Blood Drive Feb. 18th
01-31-2019	Community - Wausaukee	Silver Cliff Card Winners
01-31-2019	Community - Wausaukee	Athelstane Board Rejects Firefighter Pay Increase
01-31-2019	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Okays Borrowing For Fire Truck, Tractor, Squad Car
01-31-2019	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz High School Announces Honor Roll
01-31-2019	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Church Valentine Dance
01-31-2019	Community - Coleman	Village Board Meets Feb. 4
01-31-2019	Community - Coleman	Open Enrollment Begins at Coleman
01-31-2019	Community - Coleman	Many Fined in Joint Municipal Court
01-31-2019	Community - Coleman	Florence County Judge Sets $5,000 Bail For Former Pound Man
01-31-2019	Front Page	Crivitz Lumber Destroyed By Fire
01-31-2019	Front Page	Wausaukee Board Leaves Vacant Trustee Post Open
01-31-2019	Front Page	Gov. Evers Plans $31 Million For Marinette Marine Improvements
01-31-2019	Front Page	Laura Mans Approved As County Finance Director
01-31-2019	Front Page	Budget Workshop Held For Town Of Peshtigo Supervisors
01-23-2019	Obituaries	Thomas E. Bell