Most have heard of the popular television show “What Not To Wear,” so it seems appropriate, what with the approaching Red Power Round Up that will be here July 19-24 at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, to go over what one should wear to a Round Up.

Based on the 2011 Red Power Round Up at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds in Albert Lea, Minn., some in “Farmall Fashion” shared how to deck out in the proper International Harvester attire. Anne Milam from Waterford, Wis., was in Farmall red and sporting a special IH bag she said was made by her daughter-in-law, Taffilyn.

“She made the bag for me for Christmas, I love it. She quilted it and lined it. She makes pillows, too; she does all those good things for us,” Anne bragged.

Taffilyn and her husband, Mark, were featured in a 2004 issue of Red Power. The couple’s wedding pictures included their beloved IH H and 400.

Bags are a good choice for an IH fashion statement. Ruth Brinkman from Freeport, Mich., said the weather, which was cool for the official opening day of the show last year, determined that she would dress in layers. Outside those layers, though, Ruth had a red straw purse.

Don’t fret if you’re not properly attired, because those who don’t wear the traditional Farmall Red can quickly rectify their fashion faux pas – or IH collectors can add to their IH attire – at the Round Up, by buying ornamentation.

Club loyalty is also a highly desirable fashion statement for many Round Up-goers such as Jeanne Kahle from Topeka, Kan., who under the layers sported her club affiliation last year. She also had a cool IH straw hat that carried many hatpins, buttons and best of all, a hatband with an autograph from famed broadcaster Max Armstrong.

For eight-year-old James McDonald from Virginia, the 2011 show was his first Round Up and his grandpa, Jerry, made sure he was dressed in a red-hooded sweatshirt and IH cap. Jerry had on an IH coat and hat, setting the grandfather-grandson fashion trend.

“I have been collecting and worked as an IH dealer for 27.5 years,” Jerry said. “I retired in 1992 and farm full-time now.”

“Everyone said he was the best dealer in the area,” James added.

Three collectors who were swapping stories helped round out the men’s point of view of what to wear to this national event. Danny Anderson of Pine Island, Minn., sported an IH coat and a Dirt Boyz T-shirt. Danny not only dressed the part, but also brought four tractors, which included a Farmall B that belonged to his late father.

“I also brought a 1066 narrow front and a 1086 that Bruce Dankers and I own together, plus a 4388 Prototype tractor that IH built and planned. Then they merged with Case and it never happened,” Danny explained.

Jerry Smoker, a familiar name to those attending Red Power Round Ups, wore his Indiana Chapter 33 coat and had an IH hat on, plus was carrying an IH wallet. Since working 24/7 at the 2010 La Porte, Ind., Round Up, last year he came a bit lighter-loaded to thoroughly enjoy the show.

“We brought our golf cart and grandkids. Last year (2010) we had 18 tractors; this year, we took a break,” he said.

Jerry has been part of the IH scene for many years. “I started collecting before IH collectors thought about collecting,” he joked. “My first tractor was a 1976 old M. I have a lot of favorite tractors. I like the 1970-1985 tractors because those were the tractors I started farming with, so that is what I prefer, those with air conditioning and heat.”

The third member of this IH fashion-conscious trio was the Bruce Dankers mentioned above. Bruce, from Goodhue, Minn., had on the traditional Farmall Red with his business name emblazoned on the front. “We pump liquid manure basins and municipalities and chop corn and hay,” he said of his work.

Other IH fashions that collectors can rock include socks, belt buckles, hats, coats, bags, hatpins, jewelry and just about every item that can be placed on the human form. Log onto http:// ihcc32.com/Red_Power_Round_Up_2012 .html to find out more information about this year’s show.

Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication.