Early 60s Shark Skin?

[KeyGrip]

Hello all. I bought this coat at a thrift store yesterday on the suspicion that it was shark skin. However, I have never seen this material in person so I would like your input.

The coat (I think I payed extra for the wrinkles):

In direct sunlight:

Indoors:

I believe this is the tailor's tag:

Which partially covers the union tag:

Thank you!

 

[John in Covina]

Looking forward to seeing it on you after it's cleaned and pressed.

 

[KeyGrip]

So am I. Unfortunately that will have to wait until the quarter ends.

 

[Tomasso]

shark skin.....I have never seen this material in person

 

[cookie]

James Ellmore's Jacket Revisited

You gave us that name because its (LA) Confidential?lol lol lol

 

[KeyGrip]

Thanks all. Tomasso, are those the only example of shark skin, or could my jacket be made out of a later material?

Also, how do I go matching with my shirt, pants, tie, etc?

 

[mister7]

I thought shark skin was shiny? Am I mistaken? I guess I have never seen anything in real life that was identified as sharkskin, and of course it is very difficult to tell in photographs whether something is shiny or not.

No matter what, I bet that jacket will wind up being quite nice! I like the hint of color I could see from the lining.

 

[B. F. Socaspi]

I have a brown early 60's sharkskin suit. It is shiny. That's about the only thing different than any other material, as far as I can tell.

 

[mister7]

BF, what makes it shine? Is it a component of the fabric, or the way it is finished? Thanks for your reply.

I have always wanted a shiny light gray suit, but have never found an item that suited me. I'm jealous of all you shark-skinners out there!

 

[B. F. Socaspi]

Hmm. It looks like the fabric itself is shiny, and this is enhanced by its weave. It's a very tight weave of what look roughly like sideways "x"s.

It's sort of like if someone is wearing a checked pair of pants and are moving, the colors tend to blur together.

That "blur" is the shine in this case.

And that was confusing, I know.

 

[Feraud]

Sharkskin is not exactly shiny but shimmers as the fabric moves. This is due to the different material colors that make up the fabric.
I believe material called sharkskin in the 30s/40s(?) was what we refer to as nailhead pattern today.

The stuff noted below is the later versions. The shimmer might not be evident. It depends on light and movement.

 

[mister7]

Very educational. Thanks for the input! I like the color of that suit you posted Feraud. Your description was actually quite good BF, I got the drift of it right away.

 

[B. F. Socaspi]

I pulled the leg as I took this shot with a flash, to see if I could show how movement makes it shine. Doesn't really show it, but still.

 

[Matt Deckard]

It's really a pretty snazzy material, great for hitting the town. A wool blended with Rayon sometimes to give the sheen.

I think they became a little bit of the playboy suit, though definitely not for business unless your business is at a night club.

 

[KeyGrip]

It's certainly an attention-grabber when strolling downtown, but how do I pair it with the rest of my clothes? What color shirt goes with a jacket that wants to switch between blue and green?

 

[Feraud]

It's certainly an attention-grabber when strolling downtown, but how do I pair it with the rest of my clothes? What color shirt goes with a jacket that wants to switch between blue and green?

Keep it simple. Wear a white shirt, subdued tie and hat.

 

[Tomasso]

Keep it simple. Wear a white shirt.

:eusa_clap

 

[KeyGrip]

Check. Dark pants?

 

[Feraud]

Yes, dark pants. Make the jacket the showcase of the outfit. Keep the focus on the jacket and do not distract with a loud tie, hat, or pants.
Experiment to see what works.