February 16, 2017

"He was quite gutsy and pretty much blew the class away with an incredible performance."

"I remember thinking after watching him, 'I am definitely flunking this class if this is where the bar is set!'"

He was Steve Bannon, called on on the first day of class at Harvard Business School in 1983, when he looked like this:



"He was gregarious. He was preppy, often dressed in a favorite yellow sweater. As one classmate put it, 'He didn’t strike me as out of the mainstream.' Minorities in the class said he didn’t make them feel uncomfortable. A Jewish classmate said he never heard him say anything anti-Semitic."
But there are also those who say that he had a controlling side that could take over the class, that he was high-strung — and could come across as abrasive to some of the women in the class.

“There was some anger there. He was wound really tightly,” said one former classmate, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “I’ve lost sleep around the fact that he’s so close to the president of the United States. . . . The women in my section have as well.”
The link goes to an article from November 26th. I was just looking for a photo of the young Steve Bannon. I'm aware of his rather sloppy old-man looks and thought he might fit with the discussion in the previous post about how hippies look these days, now that we/"we" are old. But Bannon fits a different discussion: how the 80s preppies look now that they are old. I couldn't find anything general on that topic, but I did find how 80s New Wave types look now that they are old.

As you decline into decrepitude, your best choice from the style eras of the past is:
 
pollcode.com free polls

71 comments:

Big Mike said...

About time you thought to provide an option for those of us round pegs who decline to be pounded into odd-shaped holes!

mockturtle said...

This could be the fashion of the future--for women, anyway:

Hijab Queens Slay on New York Fashion Week Runway

I find the choice of verbs interesting.

W.B. Picklesworth said...

Feelings. They feel worried.

I feel relief that Bannon has Trump's ear.

But, I didn't know him 34 years ago, so I'm no expert.

Todd said...

“There was some anger there. He was wound really tightly,” said one former classmate, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “I’ve lost sleep around the fact that he’s so close to the president of the United States. . . . The women in my section have as well.”

These people have truly lost all sense of proportion and any ability [they may have once had] to reason.

David said...

For me, low key preppy. A lifetime habit. Though my wife thinks I'm trending to grunge. I think she may be right.

mizpants said...

How about this as an alternative option: arty old bat. For women, I mean. That's the one I seem to have chosen.

Todd said...

W.B. Picklesworth said...
Feelings. They feel worried.

I feel relief that Bannon has Trump's ear.

But, I didn't know him 34 years ago, so I'm no expert.

2/16/17, 9:30 AM


You are correct, it is all about the FEELZ. I would be willing to take a bet that most of these "upset" folks can not even articulate a clear and valid reason for their "worry" and their "fear". All they have is FEELZ.

Birches said...

Oh brother. I don't believe a word any of those women say today. They were jealous of him back then, but now find plenty of meaning in why they didn't like him then. I would like to ask them 20years ago what they thought about Bannon. I'm sure they would have said that he was fine.

rhhardin said...

White t-shirt and trail shorts, the same as the last 30 years.

Comanche Voter said...

I like the aging bear look. And I don't worry that Bannon is close to Trump's ear. He apparently met a lot of jerkoffs back in his Harvard B School days, and they are coming out of the woodwork to talk about their "feelings".

rehajm said...

The neat and tidy element of preppy doesn't age well. Hippies go old and disheveled early.

mockturtle said...

I've always found the 'preppy' style to be easiest and most cost-effective, since styles don't really change much.

Jupiter said...

A lot of us just wear pants and a shirt. Shoes, of course. Socks. A windbreaker if it's raining.

Fernandinande said...

Minorities in the class said he didn’t make them feel uncomfortable. A Jewish classmate said he never heard him say anything anti-Semitic."

So Bannon is a good crypto-Nazi.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

Out here, where we live...the Steve Bannon look is called "rode hard and put away wet".

He looks like he just woke up from an all night booze and cocaine bender, still wearing the clothes from a few days ago that he slept in all night. Not that I would know anything about that.

However, his rumpled, unshaven, slovenly look doesn't mean that he isn't capable of doing his job. I thought that we weren't supposed to judge people by their looks because that is racist sexist, ageist or some other kind of "ist".

JPS said...

"A Jewish classmate said he never heard him say anything anti-Semitic."

I keep waiting for some proof of the oft-repeated assertion that Bannon (of whom I'm no fan) is a racist, white supremacist, etc., but I think it comes down to that wonderful post by Judge Danny Boggs:

"any charge against MY SIDE requires exquisite legally admissible proof of its accuracy,

WHEREAS

Any charge against YOUR SIDE must be true if it was asserted by anyone, anywhere."

Patrick Henry was right! said...

More anonymous sources, this time about how someone felt about someone else 30 years ago in Law School.

What could possibly be the need for this person to ask for and be granted anonymity?

Therefore, fake news. Unless someone needs to be anonymous due to whistleblower or other valid reasons, any anonymous quote should be considered fake news.

So called journalists are just making the fake anonymous sources up. Means that they can just stay in Mom's basement.

Bay Area Guy said...

Heh, heh - Steve Bannon not a Nazi - left wing media stumbles over its own false narrative:)

buwaya said...

In my case, the style is "Cuban taxi driver".

YoungHegelian said...

“There was some anger there. He was wound really tightly,”

How many loosely-wound people are there at Harvard Business?

, that he was high-strung — and could come across as abrasive to some of the women in the class.

I've seen it at some of my clients --- there is a certain sort of nerdish, but brilliant, man who the guys can take or leave, but the women absolutely loath. I'm not sure what that's about, but I can see Bannon being that kind of guy.

Ann Althouse said...

I love the way the anonymous woman didn't purport to know what all the Harvard Business School women in her year think now but only the women who were in her section.

Big Mike said...

The people who lose sleep over Steve Brannon's closeness to Donald Trump, they wouldn't happen to be the same folks who see orange surveyor's spray painted on the street and freak out because they mistake them for swastikas, would they?

Tim said...

I feel better with Bannon in the White House than I did with the Muslim Brotherhood.

Michael said...

I'm going for Irish country gentleman - fedora, blackthorn stick, longish hair.

Basil: the reason this person wants anonymity is that he doesn't want to be harassed by Progressive bullies or ostracized by neighbors and colleagues who can't grasp the concept of disagreeing in good faith.

Big Mike said...

@Young Hegelian, it's because they sense instinctively that he will be difficult, almost impossible, to manipulate.

The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...

"and could come across as abrasive to some of the women in the class."

Oh, dear.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

Fashion wise for aging ladies...my personal preference is to go classic and rather retro in a Katherine Hepburn -ish style. Tailored, clean lines,finer fabrics, feminine with a hint of old money wafting around. Most women won't go wrong with those simple lines. THEN you can really jazz it up with some jewelry bling :-)

Like This

or This

Audrey Hepburn's style isn't bad either.

That being said. Since I am no longer working and got rid of most of my business/power suits, I am like Jupiter. Pants/jeans. Sweater/tee shirt/other shirt. Sensible shoes. Comfy socks. The occasional sun dress in the summer. I can't remember the last time I wore heels.

Big Mike said...

@Michael, add a tweed jacket over a wool vest and you're all set. Plus if you run into a passel of Black Bloc thugs that blackthorn stick can help you give a good account of yourself.

traditionalguy said...

No wonder there is a co-ordinated group hate put on Bannon. He apparently is an unstoppable good man who makes all the right moves.

Matt Sablan said...

Too bad Bannon's role in the narrative is already decided. He is the new Rove-Cheney-Rumsfeld evil genius behind the dumb-dumb.

Anonymous said...

That poll seems a little abrasive. I don't speak for all the men who wear shorts, but I'm not sure how I feel about what I think about how I feel.

The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...

As with the mentally ill, the hypersensitivity of some women means that they have to be consciously manipulated in order to have a functional relationship (at work that is, I've avoided the emotional vampires in my personal life) with them. Ironic that some strands of feminism absolutely demand condescension.

john said...

Instead of "section", I think that woman meant to say "ward".

Michael K said...

"He was wound really tightly,” said one former classmate,"

I agree with Young Hegelian. How many tightly wound people at Harvard B School? Any that are not ?

What they really hate is that, instead of his fee for organizing a transaction in his banking days, he took a percentage in a new TV pilot called "Seinfeld."

They really hate that. Plus Trump, of course.

Wince said...

Slower, please.

exhelodrvr1 said...

"Minorities in the class said he didn’t make them feel uncomfortable. A Jewish classmate said he never heard him say anything anti-Semitic."

The total absence of proof is obviously proof of a cover-up!!

khesanh0802 said...

@DBQ Back in my merchandising days the styles you are talking about were often called "investment dressing". You were advised to buy well made clothes that if they ever were out of style would not be for long. The young are too inexperienced to understand this, but women of a certain age usually understand it completely. Fine fabrics, Italian leather, ageless style, quality tailoring - getting your money's worth and not looking like a fool.

As far as HBS is concerned it was my experience that those who worried about getting along with everybody were the weakest leaders and contributed the least to the discussion. Sounds like Bannon was smart enough to understand that if you nailed your first assignment there was a good chance you could coast the rest of the way.

William said...

Annie Lennox, better looking now than in the 80s.

Sebastian said...

"abrasive to some of the women" Another feminist triumph. If we understand feminism for what it is: a new repertoire for women to bitch about men.

rehajm said...

I love the way the anonymous woman didn't purport to know what all the Harvard Business School women in her year think now but only the women who were in her section.

At HBS your section is essentially your class. First year you do everything together within your section of 90 or so students. Supposedly it makes the campus feel smaller or something. It's really where all the bonding happens. It's not unusual to hear a HBS grad talk like that.

gadfly said...

Every Harvard Business School graduate that I have ever met can be described as "gregarious" and "preppy." It is all part of the curriculum. "Full of ideas" and "confident as Hell" works too.

Michael K said...

"Back in my merchandising days the styles you are talking about were often called "investment dressing".

I wear Brooks Brothers stuff I have had for 40 years. Not suits anymore but I do have sport coats that fit. My dressiest shoes are BB loafers that I paid $400 for 25 years ago.

Owen said...

"Minorities in the class said he didn’t make them feel uncomfortable. A Jewish classmate said he never heard him say anything anti-Semitic."

This is classic rhetorical tactic. "I would never call my opponent a child molester. Why, every single investigation --and as you know, there have been many-- has shown absolutely no evidence that he ever molested a single child, even when left alone with them (as he often was, by trusting families)."

Ann Althouse said...

"Fashion wise for aging ladies...my personal preference is to go classic and rather retro in a Katherine Hepburn -ish style. Tailored, clean lines,finer fabrics, feminine with a hint of old money wafting around. Most women won't go wrong with those simple lines."

I think a lot depends on whether you've kept yourself slim. Tailored clothes make an overweight older woman look like an unattractive man. If you want that look, it's fine, but if you want to look more feminine, that Katharine Hepburn approach is impossible. I think something of a hippie style (bohemian) is good for an older woman who isn't fighting the accumulation of fat (which naturally happens, even if you didn't start out fat, at a rate of maybe a pound a year (that is, 30 pounds after 30 years)).

Dust Bunny Queen said...

I think a lot depends on whether you've kept yourself slim. Tailored clothes make an overweight older woman look like an unattractive man.

That is a very good point. People need to dress according to their own personal body shape (pear, hour glass, apple etc) and weight.

I'm not quite clear on what would constitute hippie or bohemian style clothing? When I search for "bohemian style clothing" I get this result. Flowing, draping, lots of patterns, gauzy fabrics?

Freeman Hunt said...

A style I often see on older women is casual pants with shell, very long casual cardigan, and scarf draped over the back of the neck. Looks good.

Jeff Brokaw said...

Digging up the way people *feel*, from college classes 30+ years ago ... this is news article fodder now? Huh. And people read it with the intent of learning anything useful? Double huh.

We've lost our friggin' minds. Over and out. It's been nice knowing ya, news media.

HoodlumDoodlum said...

Few of the people around him had any specific large objections to him except a few women who retroactively decided that he's creepy or dangerous and are now emotionally disturbed by that judgement.

Fill in your own stereotype, folks.

Bryan Townsend said...

These days I pretty much try and model my look after Vin Diesel...

JackWayne said...

Jeans, shirt, tennis shoes. Same for 60 years. In short, classic.

David said...

"and could come across as abrasive to some of the women in the class."

Men too, I'm guessing. The poor defenseless things.

David said...

"I feel relief that Bannon has Trump's ear."

I guess. But is Bannon orchestrating/allowing the chaos and missteps so he can pick up the pieces and consolidate his power? Is Trump allowing Bannon to do this for a reason? It's trial by intense fire and casualties are inevitable.

Kathryn51 said...

DBQ said: I'm not quite clear on what would constitute hippie or bohemian style clothing?

Eileen Fisher. Expensive but flowing and loose. I have never purchased any of their pieces, but am considering a couple for this summer travel.

Kate said...

Thank you, Althouse @10:38.

mockturtle said...

"abrasive to some of the women"

Some. Could be only two but we know their feelings are far more relevant than how the other women think.

Comanche Voter said...

Owen at 1038 is channeling Harry Reid. And going full Harry Reid (and staying that way) is a good way to become loathsome--or worse.

William said...

I'm retired . I don't have to look good for any one. Sweatshirt and jeans in the winter. Khaki shorts and polo shirt in the summer. New Balance sneakers at all times. The sneakers are the most expensive item in my wardrobe, not counting the black lace underwear. Black lace underwear is absurdly expensive, but if you want to make a statement, it's worth it.

William said...

How many people do you remember from classes thirty four years ago? I think some of these people have recovered memories. Memories of sexual molestation are frequently suppressed and need to be recovered with proper therapy and journalism.

Christy said...

DBQ, I have those very trousers - color, double buttoned waist band, pleats - draped over my footboard waiting to be hung away. Don't remember how old, I just replaced the inside button.

Unfortunately, with an aging bladder even one button sometimes takes too long. My uniform now includes those yoga pants disdained by KellyAnne, or more often a yoga skirt.

rcocean said...

"abrasive to some of the women"

Yeah, and what does that really mean? Oh, he may have been rude, or not treated the females with the respect, THEY thought they deserved?

Maybe, they were abrasive to him. This is typical "left-speak" where you can't really point to anything bad, but try to make it sound that way. "Abrasive" also plants the word "abusive" in people's minds.

Leora said...

Living in Florida, I find Hawaian shirts and denim or khaki shorts meet most of sartorial needs. I wear long pants when I have business appointments.

SukieTawdry said...

I've always been partial to leisure suits for the guys and for the gals bell-bottom hip huggers combined with bare midriff crop tops. Timeless and ageless.

Patrick Henry was right! said...

Michael said - Basil: the reason this person wants anonymity is that he doesn't want to be harassed by Progressive bullies or ostracized by neighbors and colleagues who can't grasp the concept of disagreeing in good faith.

The anonymous one was critical of Bannon, so

Nope, I'm still going with made up by the "journalist".

viator said...

"But there are also those who say that he had a controlling side that could take over the class, that he was high-strung."

One of the most important assessments for your grade at HBS is class participation.

Todd said...

viator said...

One of the most important assessments for your grade at HBS is class participation.

2/16/17, 1:32 PM


That is SO yesterday! Today it is all a venn-diagram of the intersectionality of the misogynistic power structure and oppression with heavy weighting toward FEELZ!

Mr. D said...

I was exceptionally preppy in college (early-mid 80s), but these days the look is “befuddled overweight suburban youth sports coach.”

hombre said...

I don't know where the link is supposed to go, but: 'He was wound really tightly,” said one former classmate, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “'

I see they're quoting one of the usual anonymous, calumnious, leftist pussies.

The Bear said...

As far as "style" ... what is the category for ....


..."Grungy-looking, fat, bearded, D&D-playing geek who would wear old jeans or bib overalls with faded/worn printed t-shirts, wrecked and toe-bottom-flopping running shoes, and a bright red cowboy hat".

Anonymous said...

Someday flight suit and leather jacket will come back, with a ¼" crew, and I'll be ready.

Until then wrinkled scrubs and a pony tail will have to do.

Steve in Toronto said...

your really need to check out these guy's work http://www.exactitudes.com/

Mr. Forward said...

Duluth Trading Company Firehose pants for protection from rampaging wild boars and Elmer Fudd hat with ear flaps for protection from rapidly aging bores.