As a Traditional Man

For the man who seeks to return to the ways of the past for personal improvement and life transformation. Feel free to send me a message if, like me, you are interested in becoming a traditionally masculine man of the 1950s or earlier.

[vintagegoodytwoshoes]

When he had been sent back in time, he was in horror. How could he adjust to a world without his cell phone or computer or punk rock?? He desperately tried to figure out how to get back to 2021.

But the longer he stayed in 1961, the happier he was. The more simple and traditional his life became. He found himself smiling from ear to ear every morning as he selected his tie for the day. He loved going into the barber and not even having to ask for a trim; the barber just knew what haircut to give him every time. He wouldn’t ask for anything different anyways. He loved slipping on his full rise white briefs and tucking his white undershirt into them every morning. The routine he had living in the past brought him so much joy. Eventually, he forgot about 2021 and found himself blissfully living 60 years earlier.

I won’t tell you which one he is in this picture. That’s the point. You’d never be able to tell. He’s given up everything modern about his life and now he’s in absolute heaven. Someday soon, you’ll be indistinguishable from these men as well.

[asatraditionalman]

Time to get dressed and go back in time! Whether you’re an executive in a formal suit and tie or a young man in a casual patterned button-down, there’s a vintage look for you.

[asatraditionalman]

Even in the Californian heat, there’s no excuse not to wear a shirt with a collar and high-rise pleated trousers.

[newyorkthegoldenage]

Albert Shoe Repair, 1951.

Photo: Benn Mitchell via Invaluable Auctions

[asatraditionalman]

Invest in a pair of quality leather dress shoes. Polish and clean them regularly. And when the sole wears out, have the cobbler replace it. Timeless style that will last you a lifetime.

[asatraditionalman]

Why, even a man ought to learn the art of cooking! Self-sufficiency is a worthy goal for every gentleman. Indeed, he may also win the favor of other traditional men whose palates prefer the wholesome tastes of the 1950s.

Good vintage food need not be bland, difficult or expensive. If you’re having trouble finding a recipe, you can browse a selection of diverse cookbooks at archive.org. I for one am a fan of Chicken à la King with Biscuit Patty Shells from the Rumford Complete Cook Book.

[bethemanyouseek]

[asatraditionalman]

Join them in line and watch a vintage movie. I recommend Singin’ in the Rain or Vertigo. Make sure to dress up for the occasion and get some pop and popcorn ready to set the mood.

[bethemanyouseek]

[asatraditionalman]

Enjoy the benefits of brotherhood—rush the fraternity of 1950′s men. Enjoy our community of wholesome fun: despite the name, all clothing is kept on in our bum room, apart from perhaps the occasional initiation paddling (boys will be boys). Everyone here is friendly and in good cheer.

[bethemanyouseek]

[asatraditionalman]

Reading is a great way to solidify the vintage mindset. The books may seem slow at first, and the magazines may sound hokey, but gradually you’ll come to love the kitsch of the ads and the more relaxed pace of the writing. Innocence and patience: qualities you seek to cultivate within yourself.

[stuff1]

[asatraditionalman]

It’d been two months since you slipped through the portal to the 1950s.

All moved into your ranch house with your other ex-modern, gay, housemates, you’d been living the perfect life, all penny loafers for school and jiggly gelatin salads for dessert. You no longer felt timesick, and got along well with the other citizens. But you felt a longing for something else, some other time. Like the town was too saccharine...and too casual even, strange as it sounded compared to the T-shirt world you left behind.

You called Dr. Ramirez’s office to set up a counseling appointment. The next day, he greeted you with a firm handshake and a twinkle in his eye. “So what’s the matter, sport?” You explained what you’ve been feeling.

“Why, I have heard of cases like this, but seldom in one so young as yourself. Certainly, though, there have been other college students who felt this dislocation. I’ll tell you what I’ll do, I’ll send you through the Net of Desire. All you need to do is picture the man you want to become.”

He opened his briefcase. Inside lay a long iridescent string with the ends tied together. He spread it wide, a light glowed within, you stepped through, and, just like you’d imagined, you found yourself in the 1920s.

They’d stared at you. You were in your casual student clothes: plaid shirt with attached collar tucked into high-rise khakis. It was clear you were under-dressed for the occasion. This was the moment when you wondered if you’d made the right choice. In that second, although you admired their appearance more than anything from the 50s, the sudden feeling of being dislocated in time, yet again, made you feel embarrassed that you were out of place, yet again.

It’s seared into your memories, that moment, but you know now that just a couple seconds after your appearance, they smiled, clapped you on the back, got you changed into your detachable collar and dress shirt and 20′s suit—even changed you from white high-rise briefs to a nainsook union suit, and settled you into your new reality, where you’ve been thriving ever since.

You’ve obtained your medical degree, with a specialty in time-related afflictions. Recently, you saw a newcomer, a young man of nineteen. You spread open the Net of Desire, and he vanished, leaving behind a faint afterimage in Victorian black and white.

[bethemanyouseek]

[asatraditionalman]

Listening to music from your target time period is a great way to set the mood. But performing music from your target time period while dressed appropriately? Now you’re setting the mood for others to go vintage.

[benharveyjr]

OOTD: Ray Ban Aviators Ralph Lauren Polo button down Brooks Brothers Tie Ralph Lauren Polo pants Ralph Lauren Polo loafers

[asatraditionalman]

The beauty of the 1950′s is that many men’s styles continue on in virtually the same form, 60 years later. The tradition lives on.

Whether you’re in high-rise, baggy slacks and a heavily starched white tab collar shirt, or in tapered chinos and a casual Oxford cloth button-down, rest assured: you’re carrying on the torch of traditional masculinity.

[mid-centurymowing]

The Springer: Stubblefield Ace High, a national field trial champion.

[asatraditionalman]

A man’s clothes are loose enough that he can move freely in them, even if that means they appear baggy by current standards. The shoulders, collar, pants waist (around the man’s natural waist) and inseam should conform to the measurements of the man’s body, while the rest should not adhere too tightly to his body, for the most flattering fit. To achieve the most accurate 50′s look, a belt thinner than one inch is desired.

Put your clothes on and get ready for the journey of your life.

[vintagegoodytwoshoes]

He got tired of fighting it. He had dyed hair and a nose ring and visible tattoos because that’s what he thought he was supposed to look like. All the other young queer men looked like that; how could he possibly resist?

But everytime he saw a picture of a man in an old magazine in a suit with short, serious hair, he longed to be that person. No matter how much he tried to fit in, he always felt out of place.

He knew who he had to become. He cut off his dyed hair. He took out the nose ring. He bought a vintage suit. And he never looked back. He quit his barista job and became a teacher so he could give back to the community and help shape future minds to be traditional men like himself.

He’s so much happier now that he’s traditional. And you will be too.

[mid-centurymowing]

The Springer: Stubblefield Ace High, a national field trial champion.

[bethemanyouseek]

[asatraditionalman]

One of the most shocking aspects about going back in time was that so many easy modern tasks became difficult and inconvenient. Washing laundry, balancing the books and, as shown here, rendering floor plans, were no longer a simple push of a button.

But just as you went from working in comfy pajamas to working in a stiffly starched shirt and tie, you managed to land an apprenticeship in drafting, and soon enough came to enjoy the rigor of hand-sketching diagrams, forgetting the modern automated software you used to rely on. Besides, there were some new perks: they’d give you a free ham and turkey for the holidays.

[squaresville]

[asatraditionalman]

Gosh, I sure could do with a visit to Squaresville sometime soon! To think that could be my face in the suit!

[menoftheivyleague-deactivated20]

[kensplace105]

sharp part 

[asatraditionalman]

Whoever said you can’t look sharp and feel cozy at the same time? (And after so long slicking your hair, you can’t feel cozy any more without looking sharp.)