Is there no love for the two piece single breasted vintage 30s 40s suit?

[reetpleat]

I agree that the thirties style two button is proibably the most common and most distict vintage 20s 30s look such as you, forgotten man. I was talking more about the 40s I guess. of course, most collectors even here, do not go for such a hard core thirties look. They prefer the flashier later stuff, or flashier 20s 30s stuff such as belted back or double breasted. I also agree that peak lapel are still sought after. Also, I like the wide lapel, two button style often in gaberdine, that was popular in the late 40s.

And to all sharing your suits, I never meant to suggest there was anything wrong. I am heartened to see they are appreciated, even if that does not translate into good prices on ebay. i am always dissappointed when I find them in tyhrift stores, but can not find the vest to go with.

 

[Forgotten Man]

Not sure what you are getting at here, but when I sell on ebay certain suits, or when I used to sell on haight Street, I often would push a suit based on the idea that it would fit in at the office, but be cheaper, and give you thousand dollar quality and cut. I see nothing odd about someone who wants a contemporary look, but gets if from using certain vintage styles for the benefits of cut and quality.

Well reetpleat, I was addressing avedwards... I can understand about pushing points of a basic suit from that era being versatile in the modern business world to a potential customer when they're new to wearing a vintage clothing or are just wanting one suit to wear... The thing that confuses me is that someone can have no reservations about wearing a fedora (which is quite identifiable to a specific period of time) then when posed to wearing a sharp period suit (no matter 30s-50s) would be concerned about what other people may think when they see an old suit paired with a fedora... do you see where I'm coming from?

I agree that the thirties style two button is proibably the most common and most distict vintage 20s 30s look such as you, forgotten man. I was talking more about the 40s I guess. of course, most collectors even here, do not go for such a hard core thirties look. They prefer the flashier later stuff, or flashier 20s 30s stuff such as belted back or double breasted. I also agree that peak lapel are still sought after. Also, I like the wide lapel, two button style often in gaberdine, that was popular in the late 40s.

And to all sharing your suits, I never meant to suggest there was anything wrong. I am heartened to see they are appreciated, even if that does not translate into good prices on ebay. i am always disappointed when I find them in tyhrift stores, but can not find the vest to go with.

Oh, I have a nice early 40s single breasted three button business suit I'll share when I can and also a nice dark blue gab three button patch pocket single breasted job too that I'll share. I only have photos available of the earlier one I own right now... since the post said 30s-40s I thought I'd start off with the earlier one.

 

[lci419]

It's nice to see some folks are on the same wave length as me! Notched lapel single breasts are spiffy as all hell, but it does seem like their peaked lapel cousins get all the attention! This sweet number just sold on eBay for not quite a song but still pretty musical price:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200417908868&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Funny this suit should get mentioned...I'm the one who bought it. Not to rub it in, but let me tell ya, it's far better in person than it looked in the photos. In fact, it's pretty much immaculate. I really didn't think the price was all that bad considering the condition, and most importantly, the size. I'm a big ole boy and suits in this size seem to bring some premium change from what I've seen. This one fits me like it was made for me, other than the sleeves are a bit too long.

The best part was, when it went up, I offered the seller $175 to change the auction to a "buy it now" piece because I wanted it that badly and figured it never hurts to ask. It fit my purposes of being a very typical 30's-40's suit in my size. After 3-4 days I got a response from seller about how they didn't know how to modify the auction &c., &c., &c. So I bided my time and put a really high bid on it (I really, really wanted this suit). Bet the seller wishes they had taken my offer of $175 now

Will post pix soon of how it looks.

 

[avedwards]

No offence but, this to me sounds kind silly. For someone to wear a hat that most American’s (let alone the world) who feel is the lesser popular choice, or prefer any longer to being with, why would one feel that a quality period vintage suit (double or single) would stand out more and cause “negative” attention to an individual than a fedora? I say, if you wear a trench coat, a fedora and this is something you wear often, chances are you may as well wear a vintage suit… since a Fedora has been associated with Dick Tracy to Al Capone for the last 70 years, why would wearing a double breasted period suit be the last straw to inherit massive scorn from the modern flocks of sheep?

Sorry, it just boggles my mind as to why some feel that a classic, well tailored suit of any early 20th Century vintage would be asking for the “Gangster, Dick Tracy, God Father” comments to come down on them like an Ethiopian on a cheeseburger? When a fedora can single handedly do the job just a well. [huh] If you're really conserned about what others think, why do you dress in any sort of fashions that may even touch on earlier times in American history?

Please, enlighten me!

I was referring to times like a job interview where I personally would leave the hat at home. A vintage DB suit would be too much for a job interview, as would a SB peaked lapel suit, but a 2pc SB notched lapel suit would be perfectly suitable. My point is therefore that these suits allow one to enjoy vintage clothing without drawing attention if one is in a situation where one does not want to stand out from others.

Naturally, with a fedora the inconspicuousness is lost, but without a hat or trench coat a SB NL suit can be worn in settings where conformity may be desirable, without the need to wear some of the ridiculous modern fashions.

I'm not saying standing out is bad, as I usually do in a fedora; I'm just saying that sometimes I like the sorts of suits which are in a classic style, but still appear "normal" in the 21st century.

 

[Nonchalant]

I guess. of course, most collectors even here, do not go for such a hard core thirties look.

Oh, I don't know -- there's a few of us, lurking about.

Here's one of my favorite suits; the only Sears "Fashion Tailored" suit I have ever seen. It has a 3-button notch lapel jacket, hourglass cut, stovepipe trousers (no taper at all!), triple pinstripe in the fabric - yellow with a periodic red fleck in it -- and a stamped date of January 1950 inside the jacket! Other collectors I've worn it around have been tricked into believing that it is a late 1930's-early 1940's suit, until I showed them the label.

 

[resortes805]

When I first started, I was interested only in the iconic double breasted look. Yet, as I encountered more and more notch lapel single breasted items while thrifting, they really began to grow on me!

Man, those trousers have a great drape!

 

[reetpleat]

Oh, I also didn't mention the great later style with the really wide lapels, and two or even one button. I think this is a look you would dig, resortes. Very late 40s LA bold look.

Glad to see there are some around here who appreciate it.

Back in the day, when the stuff was so common, we would turn our nose up at lots off stuff that I wouldn't now. Flat front pants, out it goes. Single breasted with no vest, out it goes. Ridiculous these days.

 

[Forgotten Man]

I was referring to times like a job interview where I personally would leave the hat at home. A vintage DB suit would be too much for a job interview, as would a SB peaked lapel suit, but a 2pc SB notched lapel suit would be perfectly suitable. My point is therefore that these suits allow one to enjoy vintage clothing without drawing attention if one is in a situation where one does not want to stand out from others.

Naturally, with a fedora the inconspicuousness is lost, but without a hat or trench coat a SB NL suit can be worn in settings where conformity may be desirable, without the need to wear some of the ridiculous modern fashions.

I'm not saying standing out is bad, as I usually do in a fedora; I'm just saying that sometimes I like the sorts of suits which are in a classic style, but still appear "normal" in the 21st century.

I can appreciate your point of view regarding job interviews and such... However, Each interview I've been on (depending on the job) I've no reservations about wearing a double breasted since it's a fashion that hasn't completely gone away... I have a few solid dark blue ones that I would wear which are "timeless" in appearance but, offer a superior fit. I as well as yourself will leave the hat at home or in the car... but, when I even wear a suit that seems to be obviously 30s or 40s, most interviewers just see a very nicely cut suit... often times they'll say: where did you find such a nice suit? I always answer: Oh, this old thing? lol I explain that it's vintage and they are very surprised to see an article of clothing that has held up that well after 60+ years.

Always have confidence in what you choose to wear; you'll always come out on top with confidence! And you'll never know what doors will open because of it.

 

[Forgotten Man]

Man, those trousers have a great drape!

I know, they are great! I wouldn't mind having all my pants have that cut! He fooled me when I first saw that suit... I was sold that it was pre-war! Well, he sure showed me!

:eusa_doh:

 

[Widebrim]

I was referring to times like a job interview where I personally would leave the hat at home. A vintage DB suit would be too much for a job interview, as would a SB peaked lapel suit, but a 2pc SB notched lapel suit would be perfectly suitable. My point is therefore that these suits allow one to enjoy vintage clothing without drawing attention if one is in a situation where one does not want to stand out from others.

Naturally, with a fedora the inconspicuousness is lost, but without a hat or trench coat a SB NL suit can be worn in settings where conformity may be desirable, without the need to wear some of the ridiculous modern fashions.

I'm not saying standing out is bad, as I usually do in a fedora; I'm just saying that sometimes I like the sorts of suits which are in a classic style, but still appear "normal" in the 21st century.

Alan, I understand where you are coming from. Although wearing a fedora does not necessarily cause stares (it depends on what type of fedora and with what other clothing it is worn with), wearing a vintage suit which does not appear "normal" in the 21st century can defintely make one stand out (for better or for worse). I have six vintage suits (as well as several sport coats), ranging from early '40s to early '60s. Although my earliest suits are well-cut, and of superior material, they look too bulky and "thick" (except for my WWII SB) not to produce stares when I wear them. This is especially true of my father's 1946 DB suit; I love it, but the peak lapels are so wide and "out of style" (can I use that phrase without raising the ire of some FLers?), that while I think that I look good in it, I can't avoid but look outdated. Now if I don't care if I look outdated, then I'll wear it, and other people's opinions be gone! However, if I'm going to be in a situation/environment where I don't want to draw undesirable attention, I'll put on a later vintage suit, one which has a classic and still somewhat contemporary look to it.

 

[filfoster]

Lucky Man

Sure there’s love, I have an early one that’s navy blue and 30s. Flat front trousers, notched lapels, two button and flap pockets… your basic business suit of the 30s.

Some people look at them and don’t see the vintage cut of them and always fall back on the double breasted look as being the only style that existed then… truth is, there were many single breasted looks… most of which we have today were three pieces but, there were plenty of two pieces made. Especially here in CA!

Here’s a photo of me in the dark two button basic 30s business suit… funny thing, most snap shots from the early 30s seem to be of men wearing suits like this!

[IMGHow's that for love? I wear that suit often... It is super clean and came with two pairs of pants!

Great suit! And what a great fit. Did it require much alteration? And to think you got another set of trousers with it, makes it a dream find. Congratulations!

 

[paul1wright]

Im looking for a 40's suit

Im looking for a 1940's three piece suit for the war weekend in the middle of october 2010 in goathland jacket size 38'chest/trousers 34'waist inside leg 29' how much would this cost can anyone help me.

 

[paul1wright]

war weekend items

Im looking for a 1950's ww2 style khaki wool bd trousers for the war weekend in the middle of october in goathland trousers 34'waist inside leg 30' how much would this cost can anyone help me.

 

[Derek WC]

That is a darn good photograph! I would have had quite a time figuring that wasn't taken in the 20's if it weren't for the color!

I quite like two piece single breasted suits, although I tend to wear them more like a sport coat with a different colored pair of pants.