Donning Door County

By Sally Slattery , Door County Living – September 1st, 2013

You are what you wear, whether you know it or not. Your clothing reflects who you are, what you do, what you enjoy. Therefore, the varied getups you’re likely to spot while traveling up or down the Door Peninsula say something not only of the individuals who reside and visit here, but of this beautiful, diverse little sliver of land itself.

As you will see from the following spread, this land boasts not only captivating scenery, but head-turning attire as well.

The Beekeeper

When you see this fellow, back away. Back far, far away. Bees make delicious, sweet honey. Bees also sting, hence the gloves and net.

Essential Attire: Net

Often Comes With: A knowledge of all things honey

The Triumphant Triathlete

On any given day, you’re likely to pass (or be passed by) bikers and runners on the highways and back roads of Door County. The county is home to a number of races open to a range of ages and abilities – from hardcore triathletes to novice racers to those just wishing to walk across the finish line. There’s the Peninsula Century Ride, Fall 50, Ride for Nature, Door County Half Marathon, Door County Triathlon, and more.

Essential Attire: Spandex

Often Comes With: Killer concentration and a long straw

The Swedish Server

One of the most iconic, if not the most iconic, getup in Door County: the dirndl. Waitresses of Al Johnson’s Restaurant & Butik dole out pancakes and meatballs to the masses while donning these elaborate three-, four-, maybe five-piece outfits complete with a puffy hairpiece.

Essential Attire: Clogs

Often Comes With: Locks as blonde as the lead singer of Abba

The Packer Backer

In Wisconsin we love our Green Bay Packers. (Go Pack, go!) Parades, plays and fundraisers are scheduled around the Packer games – outright canceled if the Packers’ playoff schedule interferes.

We crowd in local taverns on game day and celebrate touchdowns with free lime or lemon Jell-O shots. We talk about the players and coaches like we are friends on a first-name basis. We don outrageous outfits.

Essential Attire: Anything green and gold (that is hunter green and “taxicab” gold, to be more specific)

Often Comes With: A foam cheesehead

The Plein Air Painter

This peninsula is chock-full of visual artists, some who risk comfort and safety for the sake of art. Plein air painters scale bluffs, lather sunblock and stand for hours to capture the beauty before their eyes.

Essential Attire: Canvas

Often Comes With: Curious individuals craning their necks to spy the artist’s work in progress

The Music Makers

For rural Wisconsin – this place attracts a number of wildly talented musicians. Door County’s stages are often nontraditional: a converted barn, a bookstore, a renovated hotel. The talent they host varies from big name artists to local favorites, playing bluegrass, rock ‘n’ roll, reggae, jazz, even rap.

Essential Attire: An instrument they can play better than most

Often Comes With: Quite stylish clothing, hairstyles and looks that have you saying, “I could never pull that off!”

The Destroyer

Did you even know Door County had a semi-professional football team? You do now. A majority of the team comes right from Sturgeon Bay – way to represent, boys!

The Door County Destroyers battle against other Wisconsin teams on various Saturdays at Baileys Harbor Recreation Park.

Essential Attire: Helmet

Often Comes With: A large amount of muscle

The Veterans

Many Door County men and women have served (or are currently serving) our country’s armed forces.

These folks continue to serve by participating in local VFWs, hosting memorial services, and raising funds for fellow comrades, often reminding us that “freedom isn’t free.”

Essential Attire: Garrison cap

Often Comes With: Red paper poppies

The Skater Kid

Tweens to adults are perfecting their ollies and kickturns on Door County’s pavement. Many will one day be wearing out their wheels at a new skatepark to be built in Sturgeon Bay.

Essential Attire: Skateboard

Often Comes With: Funky stickers and flat-brimmed hats

The Fall Fester

Door County hosts dozens of fun, fabulous festivals throughout the year, all with the basic ingredients: a parade, some live music, brats, beer, and folks like this.

Essential Attire: That hat that has been painstakingly put together to celebrate Sister Bay’s annual Fall Fest

Often Comes With: A few high fives and handshakes (“Awesome hat, man!” “I know.”)

The Mini Swede

Door County’s Scandinavians are certainly proud of their heritage and pass that pride on to their little ones. Many festivals feature mini-Swedes singing, dancing and celebrating the traditions of their motherland.

Essential Attire: Mini-dirndl

Often Comes With: Mini-suspenders

The Ferry Captain

Death’s Door is notorious for taking out a ship or two or three. But the captains of the Washington Island Ferry Line provide a safe and pleasant journey to and from Washington Island.

Essential Attire: Captain’s hat (or baseball cap that reads “Washington Island Ferry”)

Often Comes With: Some fantastic depth-perception – parking these beasts isn’t as easy at it looks

The Hardcore Kayakers

The stretch of water that extends from the county, and the water within, beckons kayakers to paddle their muscly cores out – sometimes with a fluffy white dog in tow.

Essential Attire: Paddle

Often Comes With: A spray skirt – function and fashion

The Kite Surfer

You see the bright kites like a banner in the sky, pulling these adrenaline seekers along Lake Michigan’s waves on windy days. They jump, they flip, they thrive off the rush that comes from harnessing the wind.

Essential Attire: Kite (not just any kite) and board (not just any board)

Often Comes With: Heavy wind and a tight wetsuit

The Nature Nut

With five state parks, Door County comes with its share of nature buffs who act as stewards of the parks. The naturalists help park-goers identify flora and fauna, remove invasive species, and educate young and old about everything from fungus to bats to why you can’t burn firewood brought in from more than 25 miles away.

Essential Attire: Anything khaki

Often Comes With: An unnatural appreciation for bugs and bats