My 1930s ‘Western Swing’ Suit

[Marc Chevalier]

The oldest vintage ‘Western Swing’ suit I’ve come across: from the late 1930s or early ‘40s. Made by Western Rancher Outfitters of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Established in 1936, it billed itself as “The only store built around a corral!”


Dig the jacket’s details: two slash pockets on the chest, scalloped yoke on the back, scalloped pocket flaps on the hips. Don’t forget the trousers: diamond-point belt loops, western pockets, ‘boot cut’ legs. Found this suit in a used clothing store in Chile, of all places.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

 

[dr greg]

Unbelievable! Does it fit......

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Nope. It's about a size 38.

 

[ryanc]

bbbbbyyyyyy any chance would ya wanna sell that fine suit there sir ! its georgous and im a 38

 

[Marc Chevalier]

bbbbbyyyyyy any chance would ya wanna sell that fine suit there sir ! its georgous and im a 38

It will be going up on eBay tomorrow night. These kinds of clothes do best on eBay, because they they're seen by European/Australasian/Japanese bidders, who almost always win them. If it weren't for those bidders, we sellers would be out of business in this recessionary era. (As it is, many of us have already thrown in the towel.)

 

[ryanc]

well whats your selling price areyou thinking of? im sure you would rather sell it to someone on here

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Hmm...

 

[Feraud]

well whats your selling price areyou thinking of? im sure you would rather sell it to someone on here

Times are tough and a guy needs to cast a wide net to make a buck.

 

[avedwards]

What a strange but fascinating suit. I like the way it's clearly from the 30s but has some features I wouldn't have expect on anything earlier than the 70s. What sort of occasions would a cowboy have worn that to?

Good luck with the auction anyway.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

What a strange but fascinating suit. I like the way it's clearly from the 30s but has some features I wouldn't have expect on anything earlier than the 70s. What sort of occasions would a cowboy have worn that to?

Actually, the details on it are classic 'western suit' touches that have been around in one form or another since the late 19th century. Western suits are still made and worn today; you see 'em in Texas. Folks like Tom Mix and Bob Wills first made them popular.


http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z83FPmptF...GI/mAN15aqH5dE/s1600/TommyDuncan_BobWills.bmp

http://www.dagmar-anita-binge.de/ccd316-bob.wills/ccd316-bob.wills.jpg

 

[Gene]

I've always been into western suits, ESPECIALLY the garish Nudie and Manuel stuff. I like the understated touches of this one, very subtle but still really western.

 

[Kabel]

Are there anymore pictures (top to bottom) of people wearing these types of suits?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Very hard to find such photos on the Internet.

http://g.sheetmusicplus.com/Look-Inside/covers/5264388.jpg

Note the 'boot cut' leg:

http://cdn2.mog.com/amg/pic200/drp100/p180/p18051i5d9c.jpg


A partial image:

http://www.honkytonkhouseconcerts.com/sitebuilder/images/Hank-359x465.png

 

[Gene]

Are there anymore pictures (top to bottom) of people wearing these types of suits?

Sons of the Pioneers were some of the best dressed western fellows I've ever seen

http://www3.telus.net/vanradiomuseum/rhythmpals-sotp.jpg

http://www.bobnolan-sop.net/Filmogr...images/GST - 2/Professional/1946 Reunited.jpg

Partial of Nudie the Rodeo Tailor with Rex Allen (center)

http://www.westernclippings.com/images/treasures/westerntreasrexallennudiewad.jpg

 

[Kabel]

still good pics. Thing is i'm keepin' my eye open for a swing suit, double breasted, etc. and I'm a size 38, but i'm not a fan of the bootcut. Not my style

 

[4spurs]

“The only store built around a corral!” I've been to Cheyenne; you could say the same about the whole entire town.

That being said, the best prime rib I ever had was at Albany's in Cheyenne. If you're ever in Cheyenne go to Albany's and order the prime rib [$18] and make certain to ask for the "Atomic horse radish" sauce; guaranteed to blow your nose out.

Oh yeah, nice suit, someone must have planned on a big Saturday night out down in Denver.

 

[Renault]

Extremely nice coat, Marc! I like it! I'm setting here chuckling, imagining my granddad or great-granddad (both South Texas ranchers) in this coat!!!!! Only time I saw grand-dad in a suit was when he was in the coffin...... (But I do have a cool pic of him in a suit in his high school grad pic circa 1918!).

Renault

 

[Tomasso]

nice suit, someone must have planned on a big Saturday night out down in Denver.

Or lunch at the Dallas Petroleum Club.

 

[Gene]

still good pics. Thing is i'm keepin' my eye open for a swing suit, double breasted, etc. and I'm a size 38, but i'm not a fan of the bootcut. Not my style

I'd hope not, unless you're wearing a nice pair of Tony Lamas!