“Like Superman putting on his cape”

Mar

Filed Under (DC, familia) by Arjewtino on 20-03-2008

“When it comes time to bring their A game and dress it up, most guys are lost.” Virgle Kent

This is not my suit. At least, it wasn’t my suit.

It belonged to my dad. When he was my age. Or younger. When wearing a blue, multi-pinstriped rayon suit with narrow lapels was fashionable.

It has been mine for several years now, a gift from a man who once wore it with pride. Talle 49. Industria Argentina. It had been in the back of my closet for a long time. Languishing on a plastic hanger, collecting dust.

I took it out of my closet yesterday morning with purpose. Happy hour after work. Cocktails at the Chi Cha Lounge. A desire to look better. Like “Superman putting on his cape,” VK said.

Kind of tight around the shoulders, though. Too bad. Still feels good. Looks good. Makes me feel like the Incredible Hulk. The Incredible Hulk in 100% rayon.

The Princess hates it. Calls it ugly. Says it’s old-fashioned. “You look like you belong in the 70s,” she told me. “Especially when you had that mustache. You could have been either of our fathers.”

I wish I looked like my father at his age. Strong. Determined. Ambitious. Married to a beautiful woman. Raising three kids in a foreign country.

I take it as a compliment. The suit is a stylish artifact. I wear it to work.

“Hey, look at you!” my boss shouts across the cubicles. “You’re wearing a suit.”

Good eye, boss. How’d you figure that one out?

“What’s the deal, got a job interview today?”

No, I tell her, just wanted to wear a suit. It was my dad’s.

“That’s your dad’s suit? Ha ha ha!!!”

It’s a classic. From the 70s. Made in Argentina.

“Hey, everyone, Arjewtino is wearing his dad’s suit!”

It WAS my dad’s suit. He wore it when he was my age. When he was cool, cooler than anyone I know. When his friends were brave and disappearing for speaking out against our military government.

“Well, it’s a nice suit.”

Thanks.

I go to lunch. I stand taller. More confident. Women look at me. A man in cargo shorts and a red t-shirt holds the door open for me at Chipotle.

I order and sit down at a table. I take off the suit jacket to protect it from my burrito bowl, laying it on the edge of a booth.

An old lady in a white hat and her three grandkids sit down in the booth. The suit is somehow in the old lady’s way. She pushes the suit, slides it away from her. I’m reading my book, face down.

She pushes it again and it falls to the ground. I look at her. She stares back. And continues to stuff her face with soft tacos.

I guess not everyone likes the suit.

My suit. My dad’s suit.

Like Superman.

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Comments

CPO on 20 March, 2008 at 9:30 am #

wow. amazing post. I have an overcoat from my grandfather that makes me feel the same way. All honor to you for keeping that suit in good shape…

CPO’s last blog post..Theater J Wins Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence in an Artistic Discipline

I found an old overcoat at a thrift store once that looked like something my grandpa would have worn.

Probably the reason it was in a thrift store.

H on 20 March, 2008 at 9:46 am #

at least your parents were stylish at one time that you’d want to wear their clothes. My mom still wishes she were Sue Ellen, circa 1983.

Really? No bra? Any photos on your Facebook?

Judy C on 20 March, 2008 at 9:57 am #

A lovely tribute to your father and within it a quiet remembrance of the many who disappeared. I read Colm Toibin’s “The Story of the Night” about Argentina and the political disappearances and the concept of what happened in Argentina while we here in the USA lived and laughed always haunted me.

I would have socked the taco lady - clearly your parents raised a gentleman.

Judy C’s last blog post..Bang the Drum for Earth Hour and Shape + Colour

That’s the benefit of being a woman. You can do that.

I’ll have to put that book on my Goodreads list. Thanks for the tip.

Beach Bum on 20 March, 2008 at 10:24 am #

This cracked me up. I need a picture!

Beach Bum’s last blog post..Let me put my face on…

I think the mystery of not knowing what the suit looks like is better.

Virgle Kent on 20 March, 2008 at 10:24 am #

Wow, this makes me want to find my real father and ask for one of his suits from the 70’s and also 18 years of back child support payments while I’m at it.

That’s a lot of dough. Imagine all the Armani suits you could buy.

The Maiden Metallurgist on 20 March, 2008 at 10:31 am #

That was beautiful.

The Maiden Metallurgist’s last blog post..A Whole Lot of Random

Thanks, TMM.

kerrie on 20 March, 2008 at 10:36 am #

Instead of a picture of your butt, may I have a picture of you in that suit? It sounds precious.

Prizes may not be redeemed for different gifts. Sorry. It’s in the rules.

Kato on 20 March, 2008 at 10:58 am #

I know I said I wouldn’t read until your stupid “you win a picture of my *ss” contest was over, but the force of habit compelled me and, um, I have goosebumps. Beautiful.

Kato’s last blog post..obsession du jour

You’ve obviously fallen for my evil plan to make you the winner.

WiB on 20 March, 2008 at 11:03 am #

Superman would have burned off her head with his heat vision. You don’t step on Superman’s cape*, as it were.

And what, no Soulja Boy references? Not even one?

My friend has his dad’s suit, all tan corduroy, complete with vest. I think it presents an image that is somewhat different than the one you describe, but it is magnificent in its own way. Mostly on account of the vest.

*bonus points if you can name that tune.

WiB’s last blog post..In which I support a good cause, but recognize I am closer to breaking a hip than being hip

Jim Croce!!!

Shannon on 20 March, 2008 at 11:09 am #

I have my mother’s wedding dress. It’s a hippie baggy muumuu monstrosity with a lot of hand embroidery. Unfortunately, I don’t get much of a chance to wear it, except for Halloween.

Shannon’s last blog post..My Hair Fills Me With Rage: A Photo Essay

You should come to the happy hour tomorrow in that dress. I’ll buy you a shot.

MJ on 20 March, 2008 at 11:09 am #

i have some of my mother’s clothes from the 70s, and they are kickass awesome, not ugly hippie. she had good taste back then, which makes me lucky.

That explains your awesome style. You always seem to be wearing something new everytime I see you.

Shannon on 20 March, 2008 at 11:26 am #

As much as I love public humiliation and free booze, I can’t make it tomorrow. But you’re welcome to borrow the dress and wear it yourself.

Shannon’s last blog post..My Hair Fills Me With Rage: A Photo Essay

I guess you don’t like public humiliation and free booze that much.

wendy on 20 March, 2008 at 11:29 am #

I agree with Kerrie, an autographed picture of you in the suit would be better.

wendy’s last blog post..Am I too old for this comforter set?

Sorry, there are no exchanges in this contest.

inowpronounceyou on 20 March, 2008 at 11:32 am #

Now that was a great tribute, and I’ve seen it…it’s a great suit.

Although I have NO idea how you didn’t say anything to your boothmate. She’d have been wearing salsa all over her white hat.

inowpronounceyou’s last blog post..Post Traumatic Relationship Personality Transformation

I couldn’t be bothered. She looked like a mean, old lady and had her grandkids in tow. Surprisingly, they didn’t look like brats.

sassy on 20 March, 2008 at 12:59 pm #

I have several pairs of pantyhose that belonged to my grandma. I’d love to wear it, but it sags and twists around my ankles, which has a way of turning my husband off.

Lucky you.

I’m amazed that the pantyhose are still in one piece let alone the fact that you own them.

roissy on 20 March, 2008 at 1:12 pm #

my dad’s military uniform… cherished, honored. i will wear it to the happy hour because chicks dig guys in their father’s uniforms.

roissy’s last blog post..Are European Girls Better Lays?

Do it. Seriously.

Lemmonex on 20 March, 2008 at 1:13 pm #

I am with INPY…I would have beaten down that old lady.

This was lovely.

Lemmonex’s last blog post..American Patriot

I should have had you with me at lunch.

shiftlessbadger on 20 March, 2008 at 1:40 pm #

You are very often full of crap, my friend. But not today. Well played.

shiftlessbadger’s last blog post..There was music? And, uhhhh, merriment?

Thanks for that “compliment”, “friend”.

E :) on 20 March, 2008 at 7:28 pm #

I wear my grandmother’s stuff from the 1940s. It’s super cool. I don’t care what anyone else says. Good on you for going all 1970s. So long as it wasn’t a safari suit…

E :)’s last blog post..Analyse My Dream #2…

janet on 20 March, 2008 at 9:36 pm #

great post
janet’s last blog post..on my wishlist

barbara on 21 March, 2008 at 7:39 am #

I loved this post, but I wanted to see a picture! Your pride in your father is conveyed so well.

barbara’s last blog post..Free Again

namaste on 21 March, 2008 at 8:12 am #

awesome post.

namaste’s last blog post..Status Update

lacochran on 21 March, 2008 at 12:20 pm #

It’s not old, it’s vintage! Very evocative post… you’re almost noire-ey sometimes. Thanks for sharing.

lacochran’s last blog post..I’m Finding it Harder to Call Nicolas Cage a Talentless Hack

mami on 23 March, 2008 at 1:21 am #

Love the way you express your ideas, feelings and thoughts!!!They escape the written language and become tangible. Beautiful post!!!Thank you for “beautiful woman”, I hope you were referring to me
Love U more, Mami