Manifest Destiny

When I was in my late teens my favourite outfit was a pair of blue and white striped knit culottes, a sky blue body cotton vest worn over a white t-shirt, a pair of navy lace up shoes that looked like something a Scottish step dancer would sport and a beret like the one the girl in the Smiths “How Soon Is Now” video wore (see above). Of course the clothes and shoes, no doubt purchased at Le Chateau, discombobulated within a year. I’ve long wondered what happened to the hat. I’ve also spent decades trying to find one to replace it—why just this morning I asked Mr. Andrew that I should become a become a beret girl again.

This is where the manifest part comes in. We went for lunch on Roncesvalles today. I suggested stopping in at Expo Vintage at Dundas for some classic “buy the pound” digging on the way home. And lo and behold I found my Rosebud of hats!

And it fits my loaf of bread head!!!!! Of course I’ll need a haircut to complete the look but I am so excited. The label on this khaki serge hat says it’s made by Sam Bonk Uniform & Civilian Cap Co. which lends it just an extra layer of ridiculousness that I admire. The company has been making military headwear for the U.S. government since 1963 and is still in business today. The info on the label will also help my find it’s replacement online should I need to replace it if I lose it (which will almost certainly happen).

I also picked up this pink Mongolian lamb detachable collar. All together the beret and the collar cost less than $5.