5 old Dad Styles that are actually 'cool' now?

Back when I cared a bit too much about what other people thought of me (you naturally learn how to get over that insecurity as you age) I often avoided wearing certain things, because I didn't like the goofy 'Dad' stigma that was often attached to them.

Some of these I still avidly use, and some I never will. How many do you proudly rock? I've included Amazon links to most of these items if you fancy adding any of them to your fashion lineup..

TEVA Sandals

Teva Sandals were my first choice in summer footwear back when I lived in Colorado. Now that I live in Florida, I wear them a good part of the year. I once met up with some friends from work at one of the Disney theme parks, and was surprised to see most of my workmates in their early twenties wearing Tevas and Birkenstocks.

I instantly felt like the 'Old Guy' wearing my sensible footwear in the form of a tennis shoe, when I could have been wearing a super comfortable pair of Tevas in the 95 degree Florida heat.

Dad Caps

I like baseball caps, but I can't wear just any cap. Trucker caps.. forget it. Flat brim snap back caps.. definitely not my style. However, the old school 5 panel baseball caps aka 'Dad Caps' are my go-to cap for all sorts of occasions. 

It's about the only style of cap that looks good on my dome. And these days, you can buy them with just about any type of branding emblazoned upon them, whether its cartoon characters, beer logos, sports teams, or virtually any interest or hobby you may have.

Hawaiian Shirts / Print Shirts

I remember feeling like the 'Old Guy' at the Bar when I'd wear one of my many Hawaiian shirts. Now, Hawaiian and printed camp shirts with unique and crazy designs have become popular with folks of all ages. RSVLTS has flat out changed the game in regards to crazy pop culture prints and I own a few of their designs myself.

I remember feeling like the 'Old Guy' at the Bar when I'd wear one of my many Hawaiian shirts. Now, Hawaiian and printed camp shirts with unique and crazy designs have become popular with folks of all ages.

I will say this however.. if you see an old boy wearing a Hawaiian shirt, you are very likely to learn that this guy has a history, and some great stories to tell.

Socks that cover your ankle
(and areas northward)

they aren't just for old guys anymore..

This is one I still can't get into. Back in the 70s and most of the 80s, we wore our socks this way (sometimes all the way up to the knee). I still did until about 1991, when some of my friends jokingly started asking me why I refused to let my legs breathe.

I took the cue and bought low cut socks that hit right around the ankle or lower. It's a style I have rocked to this very day. I'm not against longer socks mind you, its just that after thirty years, wearing a longer sock feels super restricting and alien to me.

Fanny Packs

How many of us were surprised that this one came back in fashion? And.. in a BIG way. Until recently, they became a joke or sorts, even being thrown into all manner of satire and comedy bits. I must admit I owned a few back in the day, often paired with my acid washed jeans. 

A COACH Fanny?
Don't tell my wife about this one

For me however, I just can't go back. I don't think anyone wants to see me wearing one of these. My Bride and kids could pull it off, but I seriously doubt that I could. While I can't imagine any circumstance where I'd wear a fanny pack ever again.. I must admit that this Danny Devito fanny pack is amazing..

So these were just the fashion trends that popped off the top of my head. Did I miss any? Do I need to write a part two? Chime in at the comment section below!

My swank "Bat Hat"

by Darrin Vindiola


I found this dapper hat you see on the left during one of my recent retro treasure hunts, and it was pretty much an instant buy.  Seeing as how I've had a lifelong obsession with the history of Bat Masterson, it truly is a miracle that I haven't bought a Derby hat before now.


Growing up in Colorado, there was no shortage of Bat Masterson stories told to me by western history buffs, and history class teachers at school.

Bat Masterson was somewhat of a renaissance man, and succinctly an enigma to me as a young boy.  In Masterson's time, he was a gambler, buffalo hunter, fisherman, army scout, sports writer, columnist for the 'New York morning Telegraph', and of course.. U.S. Marshall who helped tame the west.

 Bat Masterson late 1800s

Rich tales about Masterson still abound in Colorado to this very day.  He hung around with the con man 'Soapy Smith' and the 'Soap Gang' in Denver Colorado.  He was a marshal in Trinidad, a sheriff in Pueblo, and roamed the Colorado boom towns of the era.  Every story I ever took in, made this Colorado boy's imagination run wild.  And..  whenever I come across a new tale I haven't yet heard, I feel the same exact way.  Masterson was one of the most feared shooters in the west, drawing his gun from across his body, a cross-draw if you will.. rather than side-draw, which always fascinated me as well.

Gene Barry as Bat Masterson

Bat Masterson TV series 1958-1961

If the myths, stories, and grandiose tales weren't enough to fill my youthful mind, I discovered the Bat Masterson TV series during the early 80s, and it eventually became one of my favorite western series of all time.  The series portrayed Masterson as a tough guy and gentlemen, who only used his six shooter as a last resort.  In fact, he used his cane as a weapon more often than his gun in most episodes.  As a kid I was amazed at how he gracefully wielded it, as if it were an extension of his arm.  He would effortlessly use the gold handled cane to disarm and incapacitate his foes.   I still love the show to this day, and currently have my DVR set up to record episodes whenever they air.

The Hollywood movies of recent years might persuade one to believe that Bat Masterson was a stand out with his Derby hat.  However, when you take a closer look at hats that people of the time period wore, the Derby was immensely popular across all social classes.  It's told that U.S. Marshall's like Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp considered most folks wearing large brimmed Cowboy hats to be trouble makers.  I always thought that to be ironic, since Billy the Kid, Butch Cassidy, and the Sundance Kid all wore Derby's. 

The Derby is definitely a fun and sharp looking hat with a ton of great history behind it.  I'm not sure how often I'll be wearing this latest addition to my hat collection, but I have a sneaking suspicion I will be slipping it into the rotation on an occasional basis.

My new SANDLOT Kitsch Shirt from RSVLTS

One of my favorite movies of all time is the 1993 coming of age flick.. 'The Sandlot'.  While it was set place in an era roughly fifteen years or so before I was a pre-teen, the movie resonated with me and reminded me of the simpler days when I was a child growing up in the 70s and 80s.

While the story was full of unique characters like 'Benny the Jet Rodriguez', 'Squints', and 'Smalls', my favorite character was Hamilton Porter aka 'The Great Hambino'.  Imagine my surprise when I learned of a great shirt design featuring his likeness!  Behold..

Yes.. in a world of Benny the Jet Rodriguez's, I'm a Hamilton Porter..

and I'm perfectly fine with that.

I absolutely love this shirt, and get compliments on it everywhere I go.  I am now a Superfan of RSVLTS, and am ordering more of their great shirts soon. I'll share my future purchases here.  

If you happen to be in the market for some unique and kitschy Dad shirts, visit the link below..

RSVLTS - (The Roosevelts) Online Store

A Retro Dad's T-shirt collection

by Darrin Vindiola


While nothing would make me happier than wearing a suit for upwards of 16 hours a day, I must admit that I've been a T-Shirt freak since I was a kid. It was probably a couple of years ago when I suddenly realized that the massive stacks of T-shirt's I owned, could rightly be called a "collection".

While recently organizing and thinning out my collection, I decided to snap a few pics of my tees for your viewing pleasure. If your internet connection is lousy God help you.. because there's close to fifty t-shirt images posted below.

TIKI..

Tiki Tee from "Crazy Shirts"
This shirt was actually dyed with rum!

 Tiki Tee from Tommy Bahama

DISNEY..

Disney Tiki Tee

This shirt is about 16 years old.  While it's seen better days, I can't bring myself to throw it out (at least until I somehow find a suitable replacement).

 60's inspired Mickey Tee

Far out man!

Perry The Platypus from the Disney cartoon..

Phineas and Pherb

The perfect shirt to wear to the Disney Parks 

(and I'm not the only Dad to do so)

Shirts for the Geek-Dad..

Hulk/Kool Aid Man tee from "Tee Fury"

Ronald on the down low! Tee from "Glennz Tees"

Rat Fink/Back to the Future Tee from "Tee Fury"

Family Guy 'Drunken Clam' Tee from "Tee Fury"

80's Toyline M.U.S.C.L.E.

Kinnikuman Anime Tee

Miscellaneous Tees..

Hey.. We DO!

Jimmy Buffett Tees..

Beer Tees..

The majority of the shirts pictured below are from Old Chicago restaurant.  The shirts were obtained by finishing Mini Beer tours.  Basically, you drink 8 different beers paired with the current Mini Tour theme, and you in turn score a cool limited edition tee.

 

 Headless Horseman w/beer in hand Glow in the dark tee

Leprechaun with his little mug of gold

So there you have it.. nearly 50 of my favorite t-shirts from my collection. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a hoarder or anything. I go through my shirts on a regular basis and discard or re-purpose any shirt that starts looking shabby. Maybe I'll post some more pictures sometime, because the shirts pictured above are just a portion of my collection.