Insane 'Holy Grail' houndstooth jacket

[Tommy]

I would have a hard time wearing that jacket anywhere with confidence, confidence in knowing I wasn't posturing. Where does one wear that jacket convincingly and matter-of-fact like?

 

[Gene]

I would have a hard time wearing that jacket anywhere with confidence, confidence in knowing I wasn't posturing. Where does one wear that jacket convincingly and matter-of-fact like?

Good question. I get "disco" comments with my Hollywood jackets all the time.

 

[flat-top]

I usually save my wildest vintage garments for vintage themed events, where they can be truly appreciated!

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I usually save my wildest vintage garments for vintage themed events, where they can be truly appreciated!

... which is why it's so unfortunate that most of the United States -- heck, most of the world-- has virtually no vintage-themed events.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Where does one wear that jacket convincingly and matter-of-fact like?

In Tokyo.

 

[resortes805]

I usually save my wildest vintage garments for vintage themed events, where they can be truly appreciated!

Exactly!

 

[Metatron]

It's refreshing to see a more fun oriented vintage item.

 

[resortes805]

In Tokyo.

Y'know I've always wondered about this. Alot of the Japanese collectors and dealers I've seen at the Rose Bowl and at events like Inspiration utilize super rare vintage garments, not to re-create or celebrate the look of a bygone era, but rather to employ as a part of their own personal style, regardless of how that garment would have been worn in the past. There is nuthin' wrong with this, but it just kind of hurts when you see those with deeper pockets sporting a garment you know that you, yourself would have worn much better.

Sigh.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

... t it just kind of hurts when you see those with deeper pockets sporting a garment you know that you, yourself would have worn much better.

I'm not sure if Japanese collectors have deeper pockets as a rule. Instead, I think that American men, as a rule, are not as inclined to spend that kind of money --even if they have it to spend-- on those sorts of things.


A small example: in my six years at the Fedora Lounge, I've seen one --just one-- American Lounger who admitted to having spent around $400 on a vintage suit to wear. Granted, the odds are that at least some other American Loungers have spent that much, and more, on a vintage suit, and haven't told us about it. And yet ... so few examples have come to light, that I reckon practically none have occurred at all.


Now, can it be --is it even statistically probable-- that practically all American Loungers who find vintage $350+ suits, in their preferred size and style, don't buy 'em because they can't afford 'em?

 

[Mario]

Maybe some people find it simply embarrassing to confess that they spent $350+ on a single piece of vintage attire?

Come to think of it, I just spent $365 on a vintage suit...

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Maybe some people find it simply embarrassing to confess that they spent $350+ on a single piece of vintage attire?

Imagine how "embarrassed" the winners of those two recent $1,000+ vintage suit auctions must feel. Actually, I'll bet they don't feel embarrassed at all ... just overjoyed at owning and wearing two outstanding, rare works of art.

 

[Chasseur]

Not sure if this a good thing to post, but I've spent that much at least once on a vintage suit (and close to it a couple of times). But I am 44 (6-1, and about 220) so my hands are tied in terms of having to drop some serious money on vintage suits, and I love 3 piece suits which also brings a the price up. Partially its because of my size, 44 does not come cheap, and also partially it because of the realities of getting something similar made today. Generally however much you pay for vintage, its almost always going to be cheaper than getting something of comparable quality made today, even if you go to tailors where labor costs are cheaper.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Generally however much you pay for vintage, its almost always going to be cheaper than getting something of comparable quality made today, even if you go to tailors where labor costs are cheaper.

This is almost always the case ... even with deadstock vintage.

 

[Chasseur]

Very true, I've worked with a some Indian bespoke tailors the past couple of years on copying some of my vintage suits, trousers, vests, etc. I've got to a point where they can recreate the items, and they fit me well, but even with them the price of item is 99% of time its going to be more expensive than a comparable vintage item I buy.

 

[herringbonekid]

Imagine how "embarrassed" the winners of those two recent $1,000+ vintage suit auctions must feel...

Marc, i saw your grey DB belt-back go for over $1000... which was the other one ?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I've spoken about this topic with a bunch of vintage (pre-'70s, non-workwear) dealers and repro clothing makers: brick-and-mortar business owners who have been in the field for years. They tend to say the same thing: the men who come into their stores, and express great enthusiasm for the suits/ties/shirts/hats/shoes, are far less likely to buy than women are. Which leads to a related topic ...


... are men more castigated than women for wearing vintage 'golden era' clothes? And if so, could this lead to them being more "gun-shy" about forking over cash for the stuff?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Marc, i saw your grey DB belt-back go for over $1000... which was the other one ?

This one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/C-1940-Amer...pt=Vintage_Men_s_Clothing&hash=item19c8efb8f1

 

[herringbonekid]

great suit ... and dhermann1 got himself a bargain on that other one !

 

[Gene]

The jacket in my avatar was $250, but well worth it.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

The jacket in my avatar was $250, but well worth it.

It's a great jacket!