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ATLANTIC OCEAN – Fashion, for many, is a way of fitting in, a way of gaining acceptance to a certain group or community. We have all heard of street wear, hipster style, goth, preppy, and the ever-evolving fashion standards that inform the mainstream. Fashion is a way to express oneself by endorsing a community with a similar worldview or one to which the wearer aspires to belong.
It’s relatively easy to get a sense of those who fall into one of the better-known categories, but what about those who eschew convention and go a different route? What about those who choose an aesthetic seldom seen in the modern world?
One such individual is Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Charles Fowler, assigned to operations department aboard the world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). For Fowler, history isn’t just an interest – it’s a way of life. His carefully curated vintage wardrobe is a way of paying homage to another time when the world was very different from the one we know today.
“Dressing this way became a part of my daily life after I began volunteering at the Hunter House Victorian Museum in downtown Norfolk,” said Fowler. “I was fascinated with the pieces they had on display there, and I began to dress that way to make it more immersive for the tourists there.”
The more Fowler embraced vintage menswear, the more it became a part of his identity. When he became comfortable enough to begin wearing the outfits in public, people noticed. Compliments and questions, strange looks and whispers became regular parts of his daily interactions with strangers intrigued by his timeless look.
“I was genuinely surprised by the positive and supportive comments people had about taking the step to do something different,” Fowler said. “When I made the decision to wear vintage menswear in public, I was bracing myself for the ‘what are you wearing grandpa?’ questions, but I was greeted with a lot of support from my friends and peers.”
Fowler’s hunt for vintage fashion isn’t about turning heads or being the center of attention. It is about embodying a time period with which he is fascinated and promoting the values of that time.
“When I was first getting into history, I was drawn to the styles of the 1930s and 40s,” said Fowler. “I read countless books and watched tons of old movies and I was drawn to how practical yet sharp the men dressed back then. I knew I wanted to emulate that in my personal life.”
Over the past year, Fowler has increased his efforts to fill out his vintage wardrobe, scouring thrift stores and antique shops to add to his collection. Every shirt, hat, and blazer is meticulously selected to create a cohesive look that reflects his appreciation for the time period.
“It feels like I have sifted through the entire Hampton Roads area when it comes to searching for antique clothes,” said Fowler. “But I love the hunt, and I love things that display the history of the cities I have been to, like old brands that no longer exist or tags that say things like ‘Tailored in Norfolk’.”
Finding these one-of-a-kind pieces is no small task, but Fowler relishes the challenge. Each item in his collection has a story behind it, and he delights in sharing those stories with anyone curious enough to ask. His passion is about more than just being different, it’s about telling the stories of those who are no longer around to tell them.
“There’s a story in every inch of fabric I collect,” Fowler said. “I love sharing them with anyone interested enough to listen.”
His passion is also reflected in his volunteering efforts such as the Hampton Roads Naval Museum and the Hunter House. He dedicates much of his free time to guiding hundreds of curious visitors through exhibits and showing artifacts from the Navy’s past and Norfolk’s rich, yet lesser-known role in American history.
“There’s something that just lights up in me whenever I discuss history with people and I have attempted to merge that with my Navy career.” Fowler said. “I have volunteered at various naval museums throughout my career and my passion has continued to mature into something that I want to keep building.”
As Fowler wraps up his time aboard USS Gerald R. Ford, he looks forward to the next chapter and a duty station for which he is uniquely suited, the world’s second oldest commissioned warship, the USS Constitution.
“This ship was the perfect pick for me as my next duty station.” Fowler said. “I remember when I finished my interview, the Command Master Chief over there immediately wrote to me saying that I had been selected for the position.”
His assignment to the USS Constitution represents more than just a set of orders, but one of the rare occurrences in which the Navy matched a Sailor with a job he was born to do.
“My assignment to ‘Old Ironsides’ is a huge honor and a privilege to me, and I was so happy when I saw the orders to the ship pop up in my e-mail,” Fowler said. “I want to learn as much I can about the history of Constitution and Boston as a whole, and in doing so, inspire people to learn about our Navy and its fascinating history.”
When the time comes, Fowler dreams of trading in his Navy uniform for something more his style, a vintage business casual suitable for a history teacher so that he can share his passion for the past and inspire the next generation.
“When I retire and move into the civilian sector, I want to pass my passion down to as many people as I can so that the past can live on in the modern world,” Fowler explained. “I doubt too many people will be interested in celebrating the past quite like I do, but at the very least I can do my part to bring history to life and impress in others the importance of keeping it alive.”
In a world that’s moving forward at the speed of light, with fads and fashions evolving on a near daily basis, Fowler’s commitment to keeping it “analogue” reminds us all of the value of taking a step back and appreciating a simpler time. His story is a testament to the enduring power of passion, individuality, and the appreciation of history in a rapidly changing world. His interest in vintage fashion and in preserving the past reminds us that history doesn’t have to be past at all, it is very much present for those interested in living it. Fowler’s unique journey, from the decks of the USS Gerald R. Ford to the timeless legacy of the USS Constitution, showcases how personal expression and professional purpose can harmoniously intertwine and inspire us all to find meaning in the stories of the past and carry their lessons forward, one thread at a time.
| Date Taken: | 12.13.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 12.31.2024 06:16 |
| Story ID: | 488448 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 18 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, The Clothes that Make the Man, by PO2 Jacob Mattingly, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
