TUX!

[Wild Root]

Ok boys and girls, I happened to walk into my favorite Antique shop today and found a golden item. I found a two piece tux with tails from April 1948! And the best part was that it FIT! I tried on the coat and it fit! The pants fit very well but they will need to be dropped just a bit.

The price was $95 bucks! It isn't the best price but hey, it's that much to rent one for one day or so for a modern nasty tux any way! I wanted to treat my self to something that can come in handy for parties and such. It's going to be fun finding just the little items such as a white vest and a good shirt. I'll need to buy a pair of good black shoes as well.

Ah this is it man! There are no moth holes on the thing! I walked in to the shop and walked out with a very clean tux with tails! Nice wide lapels, black herringbone wool.

I'll try and post some photos of it when I get a chance.

Root.

 

[jamespowers]

It looks like the one Astaire is wearing? Very nice!
Wow! I just found one similar to yours a few weeks ago. If you find a good source for the white vest and shirt, let me know. Mine did not come with the vest either. It has no markings on it whatsoever. I did not know what to make of it until I check the pockets. Inside the inside pocket was a folded program for a symphony dated March 1933 in German! I think I might have found out about how old it was and when it was last worn.
Black shoes are easy to find. A nice pair of toe caps from Allen Edmonds works for mine.
Gongratulations. We are now the Tux twins.

Regards to all,

J

 

[Wild Root]

Oh BOY! A program for a symphony dated March 1933 in German? Well, you found out that it was made in the early 30's! And it fits you? That's a keeper for sure!!! Keep the program too!

Yeah man, this thing is going to just need a little work. I just need to have the pants made a 34" from a 33" long. And there is room in the hem!

I don’t' have any idea what I'd wear it to but I'm hopping there will be something I can wear it to soon!

Yes, it looks close to the one Fred is wearing. The lapels are a little wider on mine though. But, you get the idea. No wear near as old as yours though JP! Mine was made in 4/48. This is fine with me seeing they still made some really nice tuxes in the late 40’s.

I looked over the whole thing and it's CLEAN! Not one hole or thread out of place to be seen! The fabric is so crisp and fresh it's hard to believe that it's over 50 years old! I'll just snip the thread at the bottom of the hem and drop the hem my self. Then stitch it up where it needs to be. Not a hard job at all.

Any way, I'll have fun getting it ready for stepping out with!

Root.

 

[jamespowers]

Actually the jacket on mine looks like the one Fred is wearing. The lapels are about the same size.
You have a winner there for sure.

Regards to all,

J

 

[Mycroft]

Beatiful and I want one, get yourself a copolapsible top hat, cane, and an white silk aviator scarf. That is what I would do.

 

[jamespowers]

Let's see, I have the tophat--even though it is too small, got the cane, got the white scarf and white gloves with the top hat---in the same box unbeknownst to the seller. I still need the vest though. Root and I will make a great pair.

Regards to all,

J

 

[Wild Root]

Well, I have a 1940's ivory dress scarf that is just perfect! I have the ivory bow tie, just need the vest and a good pair of plane black shoes.

As for the cane, it would be cool, but they are hard to find! Don't want a cheap one from a costume shop or anything. I want the real deal. I have a collapsable top hat but, it needs a little work. Any way, in 1948 the top hat wasn't used as much as it had been in years before.

I'm on the hunt for the vest and hope I can find one in my size soon.

Root.

 

[Wild Root]

You know what, it seems to me that with the number of guys who love vintage tuxes it's a shame there is a lack of places to wear such things!

It would be so nice to have a night club where the music is classic and sweet, clean tables, low priced food and drinks and a STRICTLY ENFORCED DRESS CODE!!! Tux or you're not coming in! Your name doesn’t have to be on the list, it just has to be dressed in a tux! Single or double breasted, or tails! White or black tie. Even white dinner coats are fine! And no corny cummerbunds with Jalapenos on them! EEEEW!

I can see it now, a classy joint that looks like the club from the 1935 Film Swing Time with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers! Mmmmmm, Art Deco!

Yes, we need a classy club! A place for dinning and dancing nightly! And formal dress is required.

Yeah, it would never catch on today. But, maybe it might if the price was right.

Root.

 

[binkmeisterRick]

Great find, Wild Root! And if you ask me, $95 is a STEAL! I have a few vintage tuxes that I've picked up over the years, from tails to single breasted to double breasted. The single is from the 20's, the double fron the 30's, and the tails from around the 20's, too. Does your tux jacket have tail pockets? During the early parts of the century these jackets had pockets hidden in the tails. I take it you could probably place your gloves in them or perhaps a small wallet or something. I'd be interested to know how many men actually used them, for it'd be a bit unsightly to have a bulge in your tails.

bink

 

[Wild Root]

Nope no pocket here. Like I said it was made in 48. It fits me way better then some of the early tuxes I have seen. I love the early tuxes and would love to buy one some time but they're not very ez to find in a 44L right now.

The pocket in the tails were just for little things maybe even for a small flask.
Remember Prohibition? Hahahaha that's right! People were taking their own hooch where ever they went to have a good time in the Jazz Age.

Root.

 

[jamespowers]

I'm on the hunt for the vest and hope I can find one in my size soon.

Root.

Find two. Mine can be a little bigger.

 

[IndianaGuybrush]

Funny you should post this Wild Root, but I just recently got a Tux dated to 1938 for $75 shipped on Ebay! I received it recently and it's in wonderful condition and fits me quite well. I might have to have the shoulders let out and the waist taken in a bit, but other than that I couldn't believe my luck.

I needed the tux because my little sister and brother are having a joint birthday party at the Jekyll and Hyde club in NYC, and I convinced my family to make it a costume party. Everyone attending has to go in Victorian/Edwardian costume and I so I needed a set of tails (I am planning on going as Jack the Ripper). With he tux taken care of I have nearly every part of the costume except for the top hat. I find that they are just SO expensive, and I just can't justify spending $60 or more on something I really can only imagine wearing once.

Does anybody know of a cheaper but still period authentic top hat? Or does anyone perhaps have a top hat in 7 3/8 they'd be willing to let me borrow for a day? Let me know folks. Oh, and I'll be sure to post photos the day of the big event. Chances are I'm going to be better dressed than any of the clowns who work there :cool2:

 

[Mycroft]

Go to google and type in cheap top hats, you will get a good price on one of them.

 

[IndianaGuybrush]

Thanks Mycroft, but I meant something a little more specific. I've been researching this quite a bit, and as far as I have found, unless I want the hat to be made out of wool, or plastic, I'm going ot have to spend a goodly amount on it. I can pick up a cheapo at any novelty store, I'm looking for something a bit more authentic.

 

[IndianaGuybrush]

By the By, while I'm sure you won't want to spend this much, there is a vintage costumer here: http://www.historyinthemaking.org/catalog/mencost.htm (click on the 1875-1910 section then scroll down to evening wear) who is offering quite a nice vest to go with the formal tails tux. In fact it's a pretty cool site, pity the prices are so high.

 

[Wild Root]

Hey bud, I have learned one thing about top hats. When you see one you like... BUY IT! Matt and I will learn from out mistakes. We both saw a 7 1/4 silk top hat from 1934 0r 1936. I know the year because it had the NRA (National Recovery Act) tag in side the sweat band! RARE AS THEY COME! It fit perfect and was in perfect condition. The price was $100. or so. I have seen older top hats in les then perfect condition sell for $500! The hat was sold to some dummy who is now using it for some stupid display some where. I'm tempted to hunt down the dummy and buy the hat off of him before it's wrecked.

A cheap top hat? HAHAHAHAHA NO SUCH THING! They weren't cheap in the old days and they are not today. If you find a good vintage top hat on ebay or what ever for less then $100 bucks, don't pass it up! BUY IT! You can wear it for what you need and then turn around and sell it right out! Maybe for more then you bought it for. Or, you can hold on to it for wile. You never know when you may want to wear it again. Trust me, when I first wore my 30's Opera Topper, I loved the way it looked! I want to wear it more oft.

Any way, good luck my friend in your search. I feel a true gentle man should have one Top Hat in his closet.

Root.

 

[IndianaGuybrush]

Root, You make two excellent points. The first is that I can always sell the hat again and recoup on my loss, and perhaps even profit. The second, and contradictory one, is that I'm probably going to love the hat and be reluctant to give it up! These are both excellent points, and very true. And better yet, the first point justifies the buy, and the second allows me to reason myself into keeping it... I love this lounge. :cheers1:

 

[IndianaGuybrush]

PS - did you check out the link I posted? As far as accuracy went the vest looked great, it's just rather pricey.

 

[Wild Root]

The link is great. But the stuff on there is way to early to wear with a 1948 tux. I'm looking for the vest like they wore in all the RKO films.


Like so.


Root.

Take a close look at the vest Fred is wearing. It is single breasted with lapels and has three buttons. I have seen these but I have passed thinking I would never find a tux in my size. I was a stupid man for sure.

 

[jamespowers]

I think that site actually makes those vests so you could probably have them make you one to your specifications. I sort of like the double breasted or the shawl colar but my tux is like Fred's in the first picture so it really doesn't button at the front like a 40s tux does. The shawl colar would be visible and add to the character of the whole Tux.
The Norfolk suit is interesting too but I would prefer long pants and not Knickers.

Regards to all,

J