A White Sport Coat...

[MisterGrey]

...and a pink carnation. What was the genesis for the song? I got a white sport coat for Christmas from my MIL a few years ago and it's been a question that's intrigued me since. The context of the song makes it sound as though this was (perhaps briefly?) an alternative semi-formal trend for young people perhaps akin to the blue tuxedo a few generations later. Does anyone have any further background?

 

[TPD166]

I always assumed it referred to a white dinner jacket - that's what my brother always wore to prom, etc., back in the 1960s - and probably why I wear one today.

 

[paxonus]

Hopefully we are talking about ivory and not actually white. The former is a classic--see Bogart in Casablanca.

 

[HudsonHawk]

It refers to a white dinner jacket, which is alternative semi-formal attire in warm weather climates. They were very popular in the 50s and 60s at summertime events, particularly at weddings and high school proms, which is the setting for the song.

 

[Frunobulax]

I thought it was white sport coat and pink crustacean. [emoji2]


Sent directly from my mind to yours.