Tuesday
Feb032009
Style Icon: Mr. Fred Rogers
Posted on 
February 3, 2009 by Ryan Willms
February 3, 2009 by Ryan Willms 
If this steezy old chap doesn't look like he just wrapped a Band of Outsiders look-book then I don't know. I grew up watching Mr. Rogers and the trolley and all of the wonderful adventures of the fairly odd show. Little did I know I would be looking back over a decade later and the casual-preppy look being done better than I see it on the streets today. Maybe Mr. Rogers had a good stylist but I have a feeling he had a knack for that sneaker, nice button down oxfords, collegiate ties and perfectly colored cardigans. Even the cropped pleated chinos look pretty fresh. After looking through the photos from the last couple weeks of international fashion shows, I'd say that Fred would have been holding his weight in the off runway scene with a couple minor updates and a nice leather tote bag. His style didn't go unnoticed as he pulled in an Emmy, got a star in LA on the sidewalk and touched a lot of children with his show and work off the screen. There have probably been a couple designers looking at these pictures for the last couple seasons, and probably a few more that should have been.
Tags : Fred Rogers, Mr. Rogers, Style icon
Fred Rogers, Mr. Rogers, Style icon 
Reader Comments (15)
I grew up watching him as well. That dude was clean!
It was a rumor at my summer camp, when I was a kid, that he always wore the cardigans to hide full sleeve navy tattoos on both arms. But really, I could not agree more. Take his look, make a little more fitted, it's perfection. Zip up cardigans are tough to pull off, and he rocks them with the best of em.
i used to change the channel when his show came on. I would watch his little intro first but once the train sled in view the channel would switch.
He is styling though. Mr. Rogers be big on those contrast collars. Not a big fan of that blue cardigan you posted though.
Ohio Knitting Mills made many of the sweaters Fred Rogers wore on his show.
I bought a deadstock cardigan this Christmas. Every time I wear it I can just hear that trolley coming 'round!
My sweater's story unfolds here:
http://www.atreasuryof.com/2009/01/22/the-gift-of-ohio-knitting-mills/
Fred Rogers was a local in my hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I have been emulating his style ever since I became interested in fashion
Well done.
Solid fucking post man! Mr. Rogers was a source for inspiration when it cames to learning and exploring the world around me as a child. Now, he's definitely one of my style icons.
This just made me love h(y)r collective that much more! Keep it up!
Iain and I had a very similiar conversation about Mr. Rogers like 2 years ago; couldn't agree more.
Oh won't you be my neighbor?!
This is brilliant for so many reasons. Thanks for the post.
Definitely a style icon. But thinking back, that puppet of the king is really scary.
Definitely have a lot of memories w/rogers. great post. thanks for keeping him fresh in our minds.
[...] That’s Mr. Rogers you see here. I’ll start off by pointing out that Ryan Willms at h(y)r collective just recently did a piece on Mr. Rogers highlighting his style so be sure to check that out. [...]
Hi! We saw that you have previously blogged about Fred Rogers. Last year, viewers from around the world showed their support and wore their favorite sweater in honor of Mister Rogers on March 20, which would have been his 80th birthday. We just wanted to let you know the tradition is continuing on March 20 of 2009 as “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” Day.
Here is the link to the new video. Feel free to leave comments here about your favorite memory of Mister Rogers Neighborhood or last year's "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" Day. We would love for you to post it and send it to all your friends!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGiKc7KuZ4A
Thank you!
Do you know exactly what brand were Mr. rogers blue shoes?