Marc Chevalier
Gone Home
- Messages
- 18,192
- Location
- Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California
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Only in L.A., as they say.
On and off, I've lived in Los Angeles for most of my life. It's amazing what this city yields ... and from thrift stores and estate sellers who have no idea what they're selling:
In 1989, I bought a prospector's shirt made by "Western Costume Co." in the 1960s for actor Lee Marvin. Paid $2 for it.
In 1993, I bought a collarless formal evening shirt custom made by "Carver" in the 1930s for actor David Niven. Paid $6 for it.
In 1994, I bought President Herbert Hoover's bowler hat and cutaway coat (along with his two sons' evening tails and plus-fours) at an estate sale in Pasadena. Paid less than $50 for all of it. Unfortunately, I just missed buying Herbert Hoover's silk top hat (which he wore to Franklin Roosevelt's first inauguration). The top hat's lucky buyer paid $3O for it.
In 1997, I bought a bespoke three-piece pinstripe suit with double-breasted waistcoat, made in England for actor Joseph Cotten. Paid about $30 for it.
That same year, I bought a cashmere houndstooth sportcoat custom made in 1936 for Walter P. Chrysler, founder of the Chrysler Corporation. Paid $7 for it.
In 1998, I bought a three-piece double-breasted suit custom made by "Sy Devore" for Dean Martin in 1951. Paid $15 for it.
That same year, I bought a pair of 1920s gold lame evening pumps that had belonged to actress Gloria Swanson. Paid $30 for them.
In 2010, I bought a 1930s double-breasted blue blazer (with sterling silver buttons), bespoke made by "Eddie Schmidt" for actor Edward G. Robinson. Paid $15 for it.
In 2011, I bought a 1966 suit jacket custom made by "Carroll & Company" for Frank Sinatra. Paid $12 for it.
Practically every vintage menswear enthusiast I know who lives in Southern California has found celebrity clothing for peanuts. A recent example involving actor Rock Hudson's trousers: http://thechicindex.com/special-guestjoe-mcglynn-talks-about-his-9th-outfit-9-in-eleven-acts/
How about you? Have you stumbled upon and purchased anything vintage that belonged to someone famous?
Only in L.A., as they say.
On and off, I've lived in Los Angeles for most of my life. It's amazing what this city yields ... and from thrift stores and estate sellers who have no idea what they're selling:
In 1989, I bought a prospector's shirt made by "Western Costume Co." in the 1960s for actor Lee Marvin. Paid $2 for it.
In 1993, I bought a collarless formal evening shirt custom made by "Carver" in the 1930s for actor David Niven. Paid $6 for it.
In 1994, I bought President Herbert Hoover's bowler hat and cutaway coat (along with his two sons' evening tails and plus-fours) at an estate sale in Pasadena. Paid less than $50 for all of it. Unfortunately, I just missed buying Herbert Hoover's silk top hat (which he wore to Franklin Roosevelt's first inauguration). The top hat's lucky buyer paid $3O for it.
In 1997, I bought a bespoke three-piece pinstripe suit with double-breasted waistcoat, made in England for actor Joseph Cotten. Paid about $30 for it.
That same year, I bought a cashmere houndstooth sportcoat custom made in 1936 for Walter P. Chrysler, founder of the Chrysler Corporation. Paid $7 for it.
In 1998, I bought a three-piece double-breasted suit custom made by "Sy Devore" for Dean Martin in 1951. Paid $15 for it.
That same year, I bought a pair of 1920s gold lame evening pumps that had belonged to actress Gloria Swanson. Paid $30 for them.
In 2010, I bought a 1930s double-breasted blue blazer (with sterling silver buttons), bespoke made by "Eddie Schmidt" for actor Edward G. Robinson. Paid $15 for it.
In 2011, I bought a 1966 suit jacket custom made by "Carroll & Company" for Frank Sinatra. Paid $12 for it.
Practically every vintage menswear enthusiast I know who lives in Southern California has found celebrity clothing for peanuts. A recent example involving actor Rock Hudson's trousers: http://thechicindex.com/special-guestjoe-mcglynn-talks-about-his-9th-outfit-9-in-eleven-acts/
How about you? Have you stumbled upon and purchased anything vintage that belonged to someone famous?
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