Eco-Towns

Interesting.

Personally, I think this and other projects like it ought to be incented, so to speak, by corporations and government alike.

Over on this side of the pond we are busy giving out money because of a weak economy and using a summer gasoline tax abatement as political payola. As one who travels the globe for a living, the differences between Europe and the United States' energy policies are a stark reminder to the quick-sand-like state in which our government operates.

Nordo

Aha! Another something that I know a little bit about. If one studies the history of intentional communities in this country, it is interesting to observe the evolution of ideas. They first began for the most part for religious freedom, i.e. the Mormons. Yes, they began their movement by living communally. Then skip a lot of history and come on up the the 70's and the hippie movement and you find that many of them wanted to "live off the land", independent of evil government that was taking us into a war they didn't agree with...sound familiar? Anyway, the rest of the country thought they were rather strange and naive, but they kept trying. There are still hundreds of 70's communes alive and well today, along with the thousands of others that have sprung up since. Just google "communes" or "intentional communities" and see what you get. Anyway. these earlier ones struggled with only their vague ideas of living one with nature and now, after 40 years, their ponytails are gray, but they have come to understand and refine much eco-technology that is mainstream today. I don't want to go into all the innovations they have worked out, you can google that as well. Just suffice it to say that perseverance has paid off.

One of the biggest innovations from these experiments is the development of co-housing. This is the concept of building an eco-sound community around the idea of "neighborhood". No cars through the center, only walking. The cars are parked around the perimeter. There is usually shared gardening space and community activities like meals together several times a week. The architecture is almost always as eco-friendly as possible. This actually started in Denmark as an architectural movement and has quickly spread around the world. Some are more communal than others, but they all try to live with as small a carbon footprint as possible and with a open feeling of neighborhood. Anybody live in the Denver area? There are half a dozen around there. That is one of the larger concentrations of them, but they are all over the place. One of those non-newsworthy trends that is in the background, quietly growing and beginning to make an impact on society as a whole. Hopefully, sooner than later.

Looks pretty good so far - what a great idea!
Is there a market for Vintage Peterman clothing? I have alot of things, specifially dresses,"Out of Africa" Skirts, "Reckless Wide Leg Pants", and more in sizes 8-10; some were very gently used, some items I've not even worn yet.
I am now a size 4-6.
Any ideas about this? These clothes are too fine to just give away and the whole "ebay" thing doesn't appeal to me at all.

Thanks for, in the past few years, resuming to offer some of the finest clothes I love at very reasonable prices.
You are the best!

To lavikinggirl:
I have gone the opposite way. I have a lot of Peterman clothes that I love but because of medication, got too big to wear them. I kept them for incentive and have finally gotten back down! I have been having great fun trying on all the skirts and tops and admiring me in the mirror. Those size 8-10 look great! So very sorry you can't continue to wear them. I find everything so classic that I can't imagine they would look out of fashion.

I fact, I have to go now. I must get ready for a Derby party where I will wear one of those tops I can now get back into!

I'm with Spinner here. I tend to get too big for my favorite clothing, not too small. Congratulations, my dear lavikinggirl; I should have such problems. ;-)

Spinner is right about how it is essentially impossible for Peterman's clothes to look out of fashion. Part of the Peterman brilliance is that he understands the crucial (and diametrically opposed) difference between fashion and style. Style is personal, it is your own, and it lasts forever. Fashion is dictated from the outside and changes with every passing season. By refusing to bend to the dictates of fashion, J. Peterman's clothes always remain eternally stylish.

Women, of course, have a head-start on men when it comes to the interesting clothes department. But for those men who are interested (and, if you're on this site, I assume that's all of you), I highly recommend a wonderful book called DRESSING THE MAN by Alan Flusser. It's a great read and talks about the history and evolution of 20th century men's attire. Never dogmatic about the "rules" of good dress, it is filled with wonderful photographs that literally illustrate why certain things work and others don't. If I'm not mistaken, both Peterman and Flusser share a great admiration for Luciano Barbera.

Anyway, happy Derby Day to all!

I work in real estate. Spinner is right in her observations. One caveat I would add is that many "planned" communities often become slums when the "fad"of the design becomes obsolete. This was noted in Britain and has been noted here in the U.S. A community will grow and prosper but will eventually decline. If the design aesthetics of the community are obsolete they will be upgraded by a concept called "gentrification" or the community will be torn down and redeveloped.

A comment about clothes: you all have it right. They say clothes "make the man". I prefer Italian suits and ties and English shirts. And anything J. Peterman.

I'm not sure clothes "make the woman" but clothes on a woman certainly enhance whatever image a woman wants to present: professional, romantic or whatever it is she wants to present.

Do men and women actually dress for different reasons. For example do men dress to impress other men (present an image of power etc.) and do women dress to impress other women or to attract men?

If we are diverging into clothes here, think about it. Just what in the world is that thing, a man's tie good for? A splash of color or hanging him by, are the only reasons I can come up with. But they certainly are very highly stylized if just for those reasons. The knot has to be just right, the width of the tie has to be in fashion, the length of both ends must be just so. If you want to wear the ol' school colors, just put on a pin or throw something in your pocket. How did this superfluous piece of cloth get to be so important?

Now REALLY do have to go to that Derby party. See ya.

Throughout most of the animal kingdom, it is the male that has bright colors and impressive detail as a way of attracting the opposite sex. Consider the beauty of the male peacock as opposed to the rather drab looking peahen. The beautiful green head of the male mallard duck or the red breast of a robin are other good example. One of the comparatively unique elements of the human race is that, as ExPat astutely observes, it is the female that often dresses in a manner conducive to the attracting of males rather than vice-versa (there are, of course, exceptions and that is also unique to humans).

While I cannot speak for other men who enjoy good clothes (my wife says I'm the most clothing-obsessed straight male she's ever known and that she married me because I enjoy shopping), I will say that I NEVER dress to impress other men. I choose my clothes because I like them. I dress to impress myself. It's nice to get compliments on one's appearance but it is never my REASON for picking any garment.

What I love so much about Peterman's clothes is the magnificent flare. He speaks, of course, of "factual romance". The adjective that comes most prominently to my mind is "dashing". I love jackets and ties but, in my work, I rarely have the occasion to wear them. I became attracted to Peterman's products because I found that they could be casual without being boring. Since I work outdoors, his sweaters have been particularly valuable to me (and that glorious Hemingway cap and "owner's hat" have garnered many compliments from my clients and colleagues alike). But, in spite of my girth not being flattered by horizontal stripes, I think my "Picasso at Valaurius" shirt is probably my favorite Peterman garment. Essentially a T-shirt, it can hold its own next to any stylish jacket-and-tie ensemble. Truly dashing.

i don'tthink the discussion about clothing is a diversion from the topic of "planned" communities. We all live in a built environment and we present ourselves in that environment in the clothing we wear.

I wear a suit most of the time in my work as a real estate professional because so many other men don't. It gives me an edge. I seem to be more believabe when I speak. Incidentally I also wear a gold earing (left ear) and on a night out i wear a diamond earing. I like suits and ties, but if a co-worker or business rival/competitor does not I think nothing less of them. To each his own......

Interesting about human nature isn't it?

I think the tie was more important in a by-gone age. Decades ago men wore the same grey or black suit with a white shirt. The tie was a statement of individuality in world of suits and white shirts.

Unfortunately, the busnessman's hat seems to have gone into the dustbin of history. Is there anything more dashing or image conscious than a London merchant banker in his pinstripes and bowler hat. (and don't forget the umbrella).

My oldest son has several (make that numerous) tattoos and has never wore a sut or a tie in his life. As a musician and artist it has created an image that serves him well in the music business.

One thing I think we are lacking (especially here in L.A.) is a sense of dressing up for a night out. Black tie and evening gowns were elegant. But wasn't that the 1920's? Well, here we are in the 21st century, so jeans and a tee shirt will have to do.

Okay, I'm back from the Derby party and $25 richer! And I must say, a bit conflicted about it. I had drawn Eight Belles from a $5 pot. Not too happy about making money on a horse that had to be put down immediately after she earned me that money. But I did overcome that emotion and took the cash anyway...

Now. As to ties and Peterman fashions. Our kids are in LA also and I find I am definitely in an older generation. My son teaches at the LA Art Institute and never wears a tie when teaching. It is usually a t-shirt and open collared shirt over it and that is fine. Certainly different from my college days, but I can't imagine him in a jacket and tie. In fact, the running gag now in the family is that when the book my husband has written comes out this fall, he will have to get a tweed jacket with elbow patches when he goes on the lecture tour that will probably ensue from it. This, he feels, will help his "Herr Professor" image. When we go to LA, I don't want to have to get all gussied up in heels, a hat, and gloves to go out to dinner, but I do feel that cut-offs and a raggity t-shirt is inappropriate in a restaurant with white table clothes and cloth napkins. But that's me. I don't make an issue of it because I would be called an old foggy by the kids. I simply find it disrespectful. Fortunately, the kids do dress appropriately for the venue, although we have all become much more casual and that's fine. I just think there is a limit! Why look like you just came from the construction site? Didn't their mothers want them to wash up before dinner? By the way, I felt quite the fashion plate tonight in my women's Peterman shirt tonight.