Grandfather knows best

I was lucky enough to know both my grandfathers very well. One was an immigrant from Italy, and one was born in the US to a recently immigrated family from Italy. I've taken much of their lives and incorporated it into my own. Much of what I find myself longing for these days seems to lead right back to them.

Grandfather #1

1. Tie on the weekends, no matter what the occasion. So what he worked construction during the week.

2. Tie clip

3. Chunky Cardigans

4. Straw hat in the summer, wool fedora in the winter. Always tilted to the side.

5. A small, sharp pocket knife. It's been said that a Calabrese Italian man doesn't leave the house without his pocket knife.


Grandfather #2

1. Dark "dungaress".

2. Green army fatigues/cargos. A carryover from his WWII days.

3. Sweater vests

4. A bottle of Chivas Regal for Christmas.

5. A big knife. Another carryover from his WWII days.

Neither of my grandfathers ever sat down with me to have a discussion on men's stylings or the like. Its a wonder what I picked up just by being with them.