Sir, - In the hungry 1930s, the average man's pride and joy was his good suit. He was also considered well off if he managed to possess two shirts. In those days a shirt came with two detachable collars. Half way through the week one simply changed the grubby collar and the second fresh one. These collars were affixed to the shirt by a front and a back stud. There were great moments of panic when either of these fell on the bedroom floor on a dark winter's morning and time was of the essence. It could mean the difference between getting to work on time and beating the deadline for clocking in, thus avoiding a fine.
Of course, with the passage of time the shirt and collars would wear out, but not simultaneously. So, one could have a shirt with some life still left in it but no collars, and vice versa.
If one was financially stretched, as many were in those days, one had no choice but to resort to a mix and match effect with what was left of the shirts and collars. White shirts were popular. It was not unusual to see one of these topped with a striped collar or one of a completely different colour.
The whole effect was a dead giveaway. It told the world at large that you were down on your luck and money was short. You were poor. Given the choice a man would rather not have to log. himself out this way but it was the best he could do under the circumstances.
But what do we have today? Shirt manufacturers now make these two tone shirts and I cannot bring myself to buy one. While I am not yet on the breadline, I feel that I would be broadcasting to all and sundry that my financial situation is more precarious than what I pretend it is.
However, this does not seem to worry some of our TDs. Last week in the Dail I spotted two, the Tanaiste - and Mr Hugh Coveney wearing these abominations.
Readers should be on the look out to see if the Minister for Finance, Mr Quinn starts wearing one. It will be a good indication of the framing of next year's Budget? - Yours, etc.,
Hazelbrook Road,
Terenure,
Dublin 6W.