I wear a uniform - not because of work demands, not because I am the oldest student left behind at St. Cosmas of Aphrodisia's Preparatory School (it's a real Catholic saint, I swear), and not because I am a convicted felon writing to you from deep inside the state penitentiary. I wear a "uniform" because I am a creature of habit, laziness, and ultra low-maintenance.
As much as I love, ponder, and design fashion, my own personal style can best be described as "Mr. Rogers revisited." On any day of the week, you will probably find Mr. Tiny wearing a version of the iconic look made famous by Fred Rogers - in his casual, I'm-home-so-it's-time-to-get-comfy-and-change-my-shoes state. Unwittingly, I have created a small collection of a wardrobe item that is almost always associated with golfers, octogenarians, or both - the cardigan.
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| Mr. Tiny's cardi collection Winter white, yellow, orange, the many shades of red, black, navy, aqua, baby blue, gray, and tan. |
In calling it a collection, I get mildly self conscious. It is like the scene in the original Hairspray when, during the audition process for "The Corny Collins Show," Penny is asked how many sweaters she owns. Honestly, what is the right answer to that question? Obviously five was too few, but is thirteen enough? Too many? Most of my sweaters are vintage, but I am not snobby on that issue as the same came to me courtesy of the thrift store's discount day.
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| One of my favorites to wear is this aqua/deep green, acrylic cardigan with an embroidered monogram. Everyone asks what the letters stand for and I have fun making names up or saying that it was a hand-me-down from an oddly-shaped giant. |
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| Obviously, I have no shame, as with this tag you have woven proof of my size and my official relegation to shopping in the "For big men" department. Not only do I like the tag's font, this piece of "exclusive sportswear" makes me feel like the Squire of Canyon Square. |
A cardigan is so often a part of my outfit that I feel nearly naked without one.
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| And nobody wants to see me naked...nobody... |
It is a wearable security blanket. It is a finishing touch. It is a layer that offers warmth without too much (and very unnecessary) bulk. It is an homage to one of the best creators, writers, performers/puppet voices in the history of children's programming.
"Garden of Your Mind" - Fred Rogers
An exceptional use of Auto-Tune
What do you think of Mr. Tiny's cardigan obsession; is it bordering on the pathological? Obviously I haven't gone too crazy - no stripes, multi-colors, or patterns. What about you? Is there a wacky tacky wardrobe staple without which you would just cease to live?
Cheers!
Mr. Tiny
I think it's a great collection to have! I must admit, I've gone a bit overboard with cardigans over the years. Last time I counted, I had over 30. That's a bit much!
ReplyDelete30?!?!?! You're a full-blown cardigan addict. But I don't blame you. They're versatile and easy to wear.
DeleteI wish I had a cardigan collection! Unless it's really hot out I love me some cover-up long sleeve love.
ReplyDeleteStart slow with one or two and before you know it, you'll have a whole closet full!
DeleteAwwwww, you had me at "Mr. Rogers"...or , as I used to call him, "Mr. Ogers". I was a very odd child, and in the logo/title of the show, those connected R's made me think it was Ogers, not Rogers!
ReplyDeleteI love your cardigan collection. I have at least that many! I think you need to branch out into a stripe...stripes are always fab, and slimming ;-)
I am always on the hunt for the 60's ones with the multi-color V-stripes that start at the shoulders and come to a point at the waist (or where a waist would be if I had one). Mr. (R)ogers was a genius!
DeleteMy husband is a cardigan fan himself...I think they look great. And, I love Mr. Rogers as well!
ReplyDeleteI have always been weird about just wearing a shirt; I need something else and a cardigan usually does the trick for me. I bet Fred Rogers never would have thought of himself as a style icon!
Deletefirst of all, that video made me a little teary eyed! I love Mr. Rogers!
ReplyDeleteCardigans are my wardrobe staple too. I always hate when it gets up to 90 in the summer here with 80% humidity and I can't wear them! I bet I have about ten. I bought a polka dot one once, but it was not cute on. I've always tried to get Travis to wear cardigans because I think they are cute on guys but he doesn't even like to wear long sleeved shirts so it has never worked.
Isn't that a cool video? I am so grateful to live where we have relatively-low (basically no) humidity...I'm just too weak to handle it. I have two brothers that wouldn't wear a cardigan to save their lives...I guess they're not true Mr. Rogers fans! Hahahaha!!!
DeleteI still love Mr Rodgers and I still think his sweaters are cool. So Mr Rodgers=Sweaters=Cool=Mr Tiny :D I my self am partial to argyle sweater vests. Makes me feel like I'm either stuck in the 80s or a golfer and I don't golf lol
ReplyDeleteThanks!!! Don't get me started on sweater vests...I probably have twice as many vests as I do cardigans! I love them too. The 80's preppy look owes a lot to the 40's/50's high school look so it works for me!
DeleteMY KINGDOM FOR A GOOD CARDIGAN! I can never seem to find them, but
ReplyDeleteI like them too. This posts opening lines remind me heavily of Katherine Hepburn, She saw the only practical way to wear clothes was have the smae out fit for every day of the week!
She was a genius! I do wear a version of the same thing everyday and I am okay with that. Always keep an eye out at the thrifts, that is where I find 90% of mine.
DeleteNot sure if it's online, but Kate Micucci wrote a Mr. Rogers tribute song (which she performs alongside video clips.)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI am mad on cardigans! Like you, I worry I have too many, but then I find another one and that goes out the window. I must have at least 10 just in black, and about 4 in red. I recently bought a black sequinned one for Christmas! My current dilemma - is round neck or V-neck more flattering? First world problems...
ReplyDeleteI guess the consensus is that one can never have too many! I think as a general rule, I like the rounded-neck ones for women, but I say take what you can find! It sounds like you have a pretty great collection. Have you ever knit one? I would love to see what you come up with.
DeleteA wardrobe staple! Both myself and the hubs are big fans of the humble cardi - you get to show off whatever shirt/t-shirt/blouse/top you are wearing underneath (whether because it's v-necked or unbuttoned), or you can button it up and wear it like a sweater, with the added bonus and they are easily removable (without messing up the hair) if it gets too hot!
ReplyDeleteI applaud you on your impressive collection....and your ability to generate so much discussion on the subject of cardigans! :)
Hahahahaha!!!! It is so funny; I never know what will encourage comments. This was kind of a "filler" post, yet it has garnered more comments than any post I have written in a long time. I guess people are very affectionate for and vocal about their cardis.
DeleteDid you know they remade Mr. Rogers into a cartoon called Daniel Tigers Neighborhood, my kids love it.
ReplyDeleteI have not seen it, but I will be on the lookout now. I have a nearly three-year-old nephew that I can use as an excuse to watch children's programming! Thanks!
DeleteI think we have a picture somewhere of Grampa Simich wearing a cardigan with lots of style...probably where you got your love of cardigans.
ReplyDeleteMy style hero!
DeleteFabulous cardigans! You can never have to many!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it the truth?! I even sneak them in during the summer on days when it's not too hot!
DeleteYep. Cardigans. I wear one almost every day. If it was up to me they'd all be merino wool, but sadly I can't afford that, so they are mostly thrifted or from Ross. I forgot about that scene from Hairspray but it reminded me of Lord Love a Duck with Roddy McDowel and Tuesday Weld in which the subject of 12 cashmere sweaters is a major plot point. Truly bonkers film. If you haven't seen it, its on Netflix and scattered all over youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXdUNZUP_os
ReplyDeleteHahahaha!!! That movie is crazy...unavoidable really when Roddy is part of the cast! I have to try and avoid wool because I am allergic but I have a few wool sweaters (they look so nice)!!! Also, I am woefully inept at taking care of wool garments and they end up looking like swiss cheese in very short order (even with cedar filling the closet).
DeleteDon't have any cardigans but I do have a collection of pullover sweaters, a whole bunch of high-end ones with beautiful beading that I got for cheap-cheap at Value Village, a few in animal print lurex, a tiger face one and a gryphon one in red and black.
ReplyDeleteAnd why apologize for wearing cardies if that's what you like to wear, and it's "your" style? The only time people need to apologize for what they wear is when they show bodyparts that should remain covered or that appeal only to a limited sector of society, or if they disturb children and horses.Have you ever seen the website "People of Wal-mart"? There you will see numerous people who need to apologize!
WOWEE!!! Your sweaters sound AMAZING!!! I've actually been featured as Mr. November in the "People of Wall Mart" calendar for two years running. They told me I'd become famous!!!
DeleteA couple things. I, too , love a cardigan. They can take any boring outfit and make it look like you tried which is crucial. Also, did you know they have a mister Rogers spinoff cartoon now. When my niece was in town we watched it. The tiger puppet is the narrator and its all animated. They still Sing the wont you be my neighbor? Song and have all the same characters from the land of make believe...and a trolly. It's really cute and I enjoyed it more than I should have for something aimed at toddlers...
ReplyDeleteHahahaha..."like you tried." Absolutely, I cared enough to put a cardigan on. I'm going to have to check out this cartoon!
DeleteI think you look handsome in your cardigan(s)! I'm a HUGE fan of the coat/vest/cardigan/sweater as a final "topper" to an outfit...it my case, a lot of the times a crazy op-print seventies' dress is ratcheted down to "acceptable for the workplace" with the addition of black tights, a black belt, and a black jacket to cool its jet engine style (and make me look less like a Match Game panelist on the loose). Do you ever get jealous of how many different articles of clothes people had back in the day? Not just a shirt and tie but a shirt, and tie, and tie clip, and jacket, and pocket square, and cap...without looking overdressed in the slightest. Le sigh.
ReplyDeleteI love the colors of your collection, too. Wear 'em with pride, killer! :)
Well, THANK YOU!!! I do get jealous of how great people used to look and then I remember how lazy I am and have to remind myself to at least put on the cardigan. LAZY - all caps!
DeleteI can well understand the appeal of the cardigan, although I will always associate it more with the Disney veteran animators, particularly Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston. It is a comfortable, yet very presentable look, far more appealing to the eye than the awful fashion trend in animation today of a plaid long sleeve shirt worn open over a tee. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteAs a Canadian, I have always enjoyed the pullover sweater, and I love our autumn weather best of all for that reason. If your inspiration comes from Mister Rogers, I'd have to say that my fashion guru is Bob Newhart from his series, "Newhart" that took place in the Vermont inn. Ol' Bob sure knew how to look comfortable in a sweater!
I think I like your association even better!!! I'd happily be the tenth old man...if I could be the one talentless hack - among geniuses - sitting there wearing a sweater. One day I'll have to do some adventures that would introduce me to "seasons." I can feel the change in weather here, but we Southern Californians are notoriously spoiled with our year-round temperate weather.
DeleteI think I've read all of this, and I didn't see the name "Ozzie Nelson"!
ReplyDeleteHow could I forget Ozzie???
DeleteI know this is a few days late in posting, but I'm totally with you in the cardigan division! I think they should be the requisite uniform of retro bloggers everywhere (and yes, I concur that they're the perfect way to still think you're wearing your bathrobe - even if you're at work!)
ReplyDeleteWell, let it be written! From here on out, our uniform is a cardigan. Anything goes but it must be topped by a cardi!!!
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