Mark Steyn sizes up White House styles

AS THE SLOGAN puts it, “If You Loved His Style, You’ll Love JFK PT Wear.” JFK is the late President; PT is “Patrol Torpedo”-a reference to JFK’s WW II boat, PT 109. In this exciting new range of leisure wear by Kerry McCarthy, the President’s cousin once removed (though it seems no Kennedy cousin is ever really removed), the clothes are not based on what the well-dressed PT crew member is wearing when the Japanese slice his boat in two: that, after all, was one of the few moments in his life when JFK was not thinking about image. Instead, it’s the sort of yachtwear-JFK cap, $19.95-the President used to favor when mooching about off the Hyannis coast in less turbulent waters. Each item in this exclusive collection, however, features a reproduction of the “PT 109” insignia, which the young Kennedy sent over to Kerry McCarthy’s mom during the war. “Now you too can wear John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s PT patch,” says the advertisement. “You too can be part of that Kennedy style”-and without the messy business of having to be sunk by the Japs, and maybe losing your life, as two of JFK’s crew did.

For my own part, I regret that Kerry’s slogan isn’t more Kennedyesque: “JFK PT Wear: The shorts have been passed to a new generation,” or “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what your pants can do for you,” or “The JFK sleeveless PT-shirt: Ich bin ein bare-limber,” or “JFK PT Wear: it sums up not what we intend to offer the American people, but what you intend to ask of them ($129.95 plus shipping and handling).” Once upon a time, style was organic: as Frank and Dino sang in Robin and the Seven Hoods, “You’ve Either Got or You Haven’t Got Style.” But not any more: today, style is everywhere; as the jingle puts it, “J. C. Penney-I Love Your Style!” Style is what endures when any genuine emotional impulse has faded: long after everyone has forgotten that JFK was ever in a PT, we’ll still have the sweatshirt. Indeed, style doesn’t even have to be authentic: a future FDR designer range will not include a cigarette holder; the Eleanor Roosevelt collection will do without that familiar fox head hanging over her shoulder. Were I Vice President Gore’s couturier, I’d suggest to him reviving this stylish accessory-though obviously in his case the fox would be live.

About the Author

Mark Steyn

Mark Steyn is an international bestselling author, a Top 41 recording artist, and a leading Canadian human-rights activist.

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Franklin Delano Roosevelt

AS THE SLOGAN puts it, “If You Loved His Style, You’ll Love JFK PT Wear.” JFK is the late President; PT is “Patrol Torpedo”-a reference to JFK’s WW II boat, PT 109. In this exciting new range of leisure wear by Kerry McCarthy, the President’s cousin once removed (though it seems no Kennedy cousin is ever really removed), the clothes are not based on what the well-dressed PT crew member is wearing when the Japanese slice his boat in two: that, after all, was one of the few moments in his life when JFK was not thinking about image. Instead, it’s the sort of yachtwear-JFK cap, $19.95-the President used to favor when mooching about off the Hyannis coast in less turbulent waters. Each item in this exclusive collection, however, features a reproduction of the “PT 109” insignia, which the young Kennedy sent over to Kerry McCarthy’s mom during the war. “Now you too can wear John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s PT patch,” says the advertisement. “You too can be part of that Kennedy style”-and without the messy business of having to be sunk by the Japs, and maybe losing your life, as two of JFK’s crew did.

For my own part, I regret that Kerry’s slogan isn’t more Kennedyesque: “JFK PT Wear: The shorts have been passed to a new generation,” or “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what your pants can do for you,” or “The JFK sleeveless PT-shirt: Ich bin ein bare-limber,” or “JFK PT Wear: it sums up not what we intend to offer the American people, but what you intend to ask of them ($129.95 plus shipping and handling).” Once upon a time, style was organic: as Frank and Dino sang in Robin and the Seven Hoods, “You’ve Either Got or You Haven’t Got Style.” But not any more: today, style is everywhere; as the jingle puts it, “J. C. Penney-I Love Your Style!” Style is what endures when any genuine emotional impulse has faded: long after everyone has forgotten that JFK was ever in a PT, we’ll still have the sweatshirt. Indeed, style doesn’t even have to be authentic: a future FDR designer range will not include a cigarette holder; the Eleanor Roosevelt collection will do without that familiar fox head hanging over her shoulder. Were I Vice President Gore’s couturier, I’d suggest to him reviving this stylish accessory-though obviously in his case the fox would be live.