Friday, April 17, 2009

My Favorite School Boy Jacket

Mr. Peacock has moved frequently in his life, and would always purge and get rid of stuff before each move, but has always kept a few favorite clothing pieces. I’ve had this striped Katherine Hamnett “school boy jacket” (see below) for twenty years—longer than many of my relationships.

When my friend, David, and I first saw these Katherine Hamnett jackets, we knew we had to have them—and decided to get matching jackets (think Oprah and Gayle). We saved our “pennies,” and purchased the jackets from the eponymous menswear store, Wilkes Bashford. Each time we wore them together (or separate), we received such an overwhelming reaction (usually positive) from friends and strangers alike. People always thought they were vintage (they are now), and would ask us questions about the jackets and why we were wearing them. It somehow dumbfounded some people why we were wearing matching striped school boy jackets—we simply liked them. These striped schoolboy jackets became our “uniform” for nite-clubbing, Pride Parades, and at various protests of the time.

Here we are at a Pride Parade at the end of the 80's, shortly after we acquired the jackets. We would sometimes stick "slogans or statements" on the back of the jacket with those peel-off vinyl letters (you can barely see mine on the right side). I don't remember what mine said.

Posing with the late and great artist, Jerome Caja (I’ll talk about him on another posting). We pinned daisies to our hats—David (left) wore a straw boater hat, and Mr. Peacock (right) wore a black bowler, with red plaid piping around the edge. I sold that bowler hat ages ago, although, I wish I had kept it now.

Here’s Mr. Peacock, proclaiming peace, at the March on Washington in 1993. We wore our matching jackets during the actual March, and I wore a denim skirt that I made—like my older sisters and their friends would wear in the late 60’s/early 70’s. You take a pair of jeans and split the seams open and add fabric to create the skirt. I also embroidered a giant peace sign and some other slogans on the back (sorry I couldn't find a photo of the back), ala Obedient Sons. I also, stupidly sold that over a decade ago.

This shot is backstage with the talented performance artist, Arturo Galster, as his alter ego “Patsy Cline.” He would sing with his own voice as Patsy Cline, and perform with his band, the Memphis G Spots—what a great performer!

Sometimes I would just wear a “wife-beater” tank underneath; other times I would be formal with a plaid vest and polka dot tie—I love plaid and polka dots!

Partying with my mother in San Francisco—I wore my jacket (above left) with over-sized black linen pants that I made; watching a band perform in the early 90's, with a red wool shirt.

Posing with the talented artist and performer, Rodney O'Neal Austin. Rodney dressed a bit subdued on this day, and I joked that he looked like my first grade teacher.

Nite-clubbing: I liked to wear the jacket with my favorite t-shirt that had an embroidered matador in red, black and green thread.

Early 1990's: Mr. Peacock with José Sarria, political activist and performer from the historic 1950's and 1960's Black Cat Bar.

I will occasionally take the jacket out of its protective bag and wear it now—but only for special occasions. Each time I wear the jacket, I can feel the energy and vibrations from all of the wonderful events I’ve worn it to, and that makes me happy. I’m looking forward to wearing the jacket this spring and summer on it’s 20th anniversary of our relationship together.

Tartan Scot
mentioned he's going to be wearing a navy and red striped school boy jacket he picked up in London this spring (Mr. Peacock spotted it in his closet photo). You can get your own "favorite" school boy jacket here.

What’s your favorite item in your wardrobe that makes you happy?

10 comments:

Danny Daily said...

Wilkes Bashford!!!!!!!!!!

There is a section in one of the very last "Barbary Lane" Series where one of the characters goes on a crazy shopping spree there. I have no idea why I have said this...But I just recently discovered the series and are addicted!!!!

ayeM8y said...

I have a red T-shirt that says “Enjoy Cocaine” at the top and Aspen Colorado at the bottom in the Coca Cola logo . I picked it up on a ski vacation in 1980.

Unknown said...

Oh I have way too many things lurking in my closet since before the grunge years....but your jacket is fantastic! As an aging mod girl with a '69 Vespa, I would wrestle you for it.

Mr. Peacock said...

Hello
deconstructedgarments...Wilkes Bashford still feels a bit old-school San Francisco. I love "Tales of the City!" I see Armistead Maupin walking in The Castro occasionally.

ayem8y...I bet that shirt is super soft and paper-thin! I love old t-shirts too, especially when it reminds you of a fun time. I also like stuff that plays with the Coca-Cola logo.

Heather...You do need a striped "school boy jacket" to ride around on your vintage Vespa! It would be very mod!

jason said...

Love your jacket!

(It seems to be echoing Big Edie's hat down there, in fact )

But gosh, nothing currently in my closet makes me happy, I'm afraid. I need to get on that.

I once had a vintage blazer in glenn plaid from the early 60s (with a Hong Kong tailor's label in it) that made me happy...even when it ceased to fit. Lost in Katrina, alas.

Scot Meacham Wood said...

I think I know what I"ll be wearing to work on Monday now . . . lol.

hope you're having a great weekend.

tula said...

what a wonderful post! i still have a few favorite dresses from 15 years ago and they definitely have...um...history.

love, love, love the photos, too. thank you for sharing your fabulousness with us mr. peacock!

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

Thank you for sharing the wonderful photos Mr Peacock...sure have a fabulous blast from the past moments... ~Lovely weekend dear!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

What a fabulous jacket. It looks better with each progressive photo!

I have a long black coat, embroidered around the hem and in the back center, with seashell buttons and a faux fur red collar (don't shudder, it's gorgeous) that I purchased in Edinburgh a couple of autumns ago. I would wear it always and everywhere if I could.

Wonderful blog, by the way!

Paul Pincus said...

love the jacket. katherine hamnett! you're so adorable in these pics ... you remind me of one of the members of curiosity killed the cat.