Esquire’s Complete Golden Age Illustrations:

[Flanderian]

"incendiary...flirtation kindles...how about a light...from that spark...fire in his eyes...steam heat in his heart"

Somebody took out his thesaurus to look up synonyms for "fire."

While we are supposed to be all agog over the slouching red head (the fire thing again), I'm a bit more interesting in the seated blond with the soft-sided briefcase on her head.

Oh, and yes, Joe Cool there does have on an outstanding rig. I'm a big fan of the V-neck-sweater-or-sweater-vest-with-a-suit look.
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It looks okay in the illustration, but four patterns or weaves - sport coat, shirt, tie and pants - might be a bit much IRL.
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Or he had been watching newsreels of bombing runs!

And I'll take the redhead. (But where, at my age, I'd take her is a puzzlement. )

And I agree entirely about the V-neck sweater vest, and I'm equally delighted by its pale yellow shade, one of my favorites. I just enjoy the color, but am equally grateful for its ability to pair with and enhance so many other colors.

 

[Flanderian]

Here is Esquire's paltry May 1943 offerings.

 

[Flanderian]

And while I still have any energy, here's what Esquire published for June 1943.

 

[Fastuni]

Thanks , interesting as always.
Nothing for 1944, I suppose?

 

[Flanderian]

Thanks , interesting as always.
Nothing for 1944, I suppose?

Thanks for asking! Yes, I also have 1944 archived.

I'm posting the illustrations in sequential order by issue, trying to do two issues a day. So, I hope to be catching up to 1944 in a few more days.

 

[Fastuni]

Ah, ok. So it's May 1943 and not 1945 in #342, right?

 

[Flanderian]

Ah, ok. So it's May 1943 and not 1945 in #342, right?

Ah, and so it is!

An errant key stroke. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, I have corrected it. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Flanderian]

For July 1943, just a lonesome pair from Esquire.

And with such a small number, it would seem reasonable to also post the illustrations from August. So, here are also the August 1943 Esquire illustrations.

 

[Flanderian]

Here're the September 1943 Esquire illustrations.

 

[Flanderian]

Here's October 1943.

 

[Fading Fast]

These two broader-sweep mise-en-scene illustrations are wonderful, you feel the period in them and get to see a wider array of the clothes worn.

 

[Flanderian]

These two broader-sweep mise-en-scene illustrations are wonderful, you feel the period in them and get to see a wider array of the clothes worn.
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Glad you enjoy them!

I was unsure if they were sufficiently specific in illustrating the attire of era compared to the more common fashion plates. Good to know they resonate.

 

[Flanderian]

These are Esquire's November 1943 illustrations.

 

[Flanderian]

December 1943 in Esquire was another slender batch of editorial sartorial content. So I combed the issue for additional ad art, and found some that I think are rather nice, and hopefully in keeping with some common interests.

 

[Nobert]

That guy in the McGregor ad seems to be getting a jump on the Ricky Jacket trend.

 

[Will Zach]

Here're the September 1943 Esquire illustrations.

Here're the September 1943 Esquire illustrations.





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These illustrations are fabulous. An idealized glimpse at times gone by. But I do hope that this guy does not have phosgene in there, or else they are both dead, lol.

 

[Flanderian]

That guy in the McGregor ad seems to be getting a jump on the Ricky Jacket trend.

I think some version of it began appearing even earlier. And somewhat similar variants lasted into the '60's as fashion. And I guess it could be argued that sweater jackets with a woven front might be considered a form that can still occasionally be found.

These illustrations are fabulous. An idealized glimpse at times gone by. But I do hope that this guy does not have phosgene in there, or else they are both dead, lol.

Glad you enjoy them!

The scene into which these two fellows are placed is so evocative of many, many B-Grade sci-fi movie posters from the period and later.

 

[Flanderian]

January 1944's issue.

 

[Flanderian]

February 1944.

 

[Tiki Tom]

This thread is the next best thing to time travel.

Under October 1943, I love the “Campaign Colors”. Did that take off, even briefly? It kind of reminds me of ties sporting regimental colors. I had one once upon a time (can’t even remember which regiment it was.) Anyway, the entire time I owned the tie, it never elicited one comment; not one. No one had any idea. One day in frustration I mentioned to a coworker that it was a regimental tie; he quickly jumped to the conclusion that I was eccentric. I learned something that day... that some things are better not to mention!