Slaving over a hot scanner - fashion images from Esquire, August 1937

[Anthony Jordan]

Time to start thinking about your summer wardrobe, gentlemen...

Nice suit, although the hat leaves me cold...

Like the pale grey suit

A more sporting look

I find this an interesting series of ensembles, even though they don't do much for me, particularly the dinghy/beach suits, the terry robe cut rather after the lines of a polo coat(?) and the green shirt.

I very much like the grey suit with the welted pockets - I'm slightly surprised that the caption doesn't draw attention to the fact that it is a 3 roll 2. I'm also surprised by how slim the lapel appears. Carnation is a nice touch!

I would look at this one more as social history than a useful source of sartorial tips, although I would happily wear the maroon blazer (and the white flannels, of course - just not with a tweed jacket!) Location is Newport Casino, by the way.

Again liking the light coloured suit - interesting that they draw attention to the fact that it has a plain back, which I would have rather taken for granted.

And some advertisements which particularly caught my eye:

Interesting that about only three of the shirts are unimstakably double-cuffed. I would have expected a rather higher proportion.

Hope you enjoyed them.

[x-posted at AAAC and SF]

 

[Tomasso]

Muchas gracias!!!

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Creeping Past]

Thanks for the images.

Tweed and white flannels would work well, I should think, the textures complementing each other nicely.

 

[Chasseur]

Thanks! Wonderful images. Those blue "boat shoes" with the gray suit are an interesting choice.

 

[Fletch]

So the French were polite to visitors in 1937? I guess there weren't many Ugly Americans around yet. And those who were, were loaded.

Surely Parisians were salty, but like New Yorkers then, more salt-of-the-earth than spit-on-your-shoes.

 

[Anthony Jordan]

Thanks for the images.

Tweed and white flannels would work well, I should think, the textures complementing each other nicely.

Tweed and grey flannel I like; it was the white I have trouble with!

You're all very welcome, my pleasure.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Those blue "boat shoes" with the gray suit are an interesting choice.

Those shoes are popularly called "wino shoes". They're extremely cheap and are still made. The style hasn't changed at all since the '30s.


.

 

[ortega76]

I like the color combination of a maroon blazer and white flannels. I can't bring myself to wear the blazer. Reminds me of the time I went out to an office party and the boss wore a maroon jacket. He stepped outside to smoke and some entering patrons handed him their keys to park their car.

 

[Tomasso]

Those shoes are popularly called "wino shoes". They're extremely cheap and are still made. The style hasn't changed at all since the '30s.


.

Here's a decent selection, available online.

 

[Feraud]

I am stealing that green shirt/tie/straw look this summer.

 

[Drew B]

I like the color combination of a maroon blazer and white flannels. I can't bring myself to wear the blazer. Reminds me of the time I went out to an office party and the boss wore a maroon jacket. He stepped outside to smoke and some entering patrons handed him their keys to park their car.

lol thats too funny...

Oh and thanks for the pics Mr Jordan....

i love the arrow add.... not sure why just do.

 

[DeaconKC]

Thanks for your efforts, they are very much appreciated. I especially enjoyed seeing how the hat and suits were not automatically color bound.

 

[ortega76]

Those shoes are popularly called "wino shoes". They're extremely cheap and are still made. The style hasn't changed at all since the '30s.


.

The guy who does my tattoos is utterly fascinated by "wino shoes" since his trip to California this past summer. He bought several pair to bring back as souvenirs for some friends. I got a pair and thought they were about as comfortable as my Converse All-Stars but not as durable by half.

 

[Fletch]

I like the color combination of a maroon blazer and white flannels. I can't bring myself to wear the blazer. Reminds me of the time I went out to an office party and the boss wore a maroon jacket. He stepped outside to smoke and some entering patrons handed him their keys to park their car.

Yesterday's elegance is today's flunky uniform. It happens more often than you'd think. PJ O'Rourke wrote about LA in the 80s that no one above the level of pool cleaner wore a suit.

Years ago in NYC, I routinely walked by the staff entrance to the St. Regis. There was almost always some hourly employee standing in the open air, dragging a butt, in elastic-strapped, adjusta-buckled, one-size-fits-all white tie and tails.

Besides, I'd like to see some of those 1937 patricians keep ends meeting today on their princely fifty thou a year. lol

 

[ortega76]

Yesterday's elegance is today's flunky uniform. It happens more often than you'd think. PJ O'Rourke wrote about LA in the 80s that no one above the level of pool cleaner wore a suit.

Years ago in NYC, I routinely walked by the staff entrance to the St. Regis. There was almost always some hourly employee standing in the open air, dragging a butt, in elastic-strapped, adjusta-buckled, one-size-fits-all white tie and tails.

Besides, I'd like to see some of those 1937 patricians keep ends meeting today on their princely fifty thou a year. lol

I've seen that myself in the Mag Mile. The doorman is wearing tails and the fat cats step out in sweat suits.

 

[Fletch]

These actual fat cats would like it known that they resent the comparison.

 

[Tomasso]

That's kitty porn.

You should be ashamed.


The love of my life, Kitten P. Cat.

I lugged him all over the world and he lived to be 23 years old.

Here he is napping in our/his Paris apartment circa 1980..

 

[cookie]

Green Shirts

I am stealing that green shirt/tie/straw look this summer.

paulrrederick.com had that colour shirt this year ...may still be in the clearance section.

Awesome grey suit!:eusa_clap

 

[Anthony Jordan]

The guy who does my tattoos is utterly fascinated by "wino shoes" since his trip to California this past summer. He bought several pair to bring back as souvenirs for some friends. I got a pair and thought they were about as comfortable as my Converse All-Stars but not as durable by half.

I'm guessing that "wino" doesn't have the same connotations in the US as here in the UK? (e.g. alcoholic tramp!)

 

[ortega76]

I'm guessing that "wino" doesn't have the same connotations in the US as here in the UK? (e.g. alcoholic tramp!)

Same connotations. I was told that these shoes were sold in convenience stores in older neighborhoods that had a significant population of lower income or homeless people.