1920s suits

[volvomeister13]

Help!

I need you guys' expert opinion. I just got this suit from ebay. Having never owned a 20's suit before I jumped at the chance and it arrived today. However, something seems so weird about it. Maybe it just doesn't fit me well? The way it tapers seems really bizarre. The chest seems rather tight as well. Also, there are no front darts it seems.

Maybe it just doesn't fit me? It seems there is some fabric to let out in the jacket.

Maybe it's a mediocre suit? (This isn't one of the dreaded jazz suit variety, is it?) I'm thinking of returning it. It'll cost money to fix the moth holes and if it's not going to look good I figure why bother.

What do you guys think?

 

[DamianM]

It is not a jazz suit. Not even close. Its a 20s suit, its very different in cut and construction. Either you love it or you don't.

Was this the $227 ebay suit that just ended a week or two ago?

what size is it?

 

[volvomeister13]

It is not a jazz suit. Not even close. Its a 20s suit, its very different in cut and construction. Either you love it or you don't.

Was this the $227 ebay suit that just ended a week or two ago?

what size is it?

Yeah, that's the one. It's 20 inches across under the armpits and 16 inches across the shoulders (bear in mind they're of the 1920's narrow variety).

I'm guessing this is very early 20's?

 

[DamianM]

Yes this one is early 1920s. Notch Lapel with a bellow effect and tapered trousers.

I have one dated 1923 in my size and with a very similar cut.

 

[Two Types]

The Herringbonekid had a similar situation a few months ago: he purchased a 1920s jacket (after many months of searching for just the right jacket) but found that the cut didn't suit him.
I suspect that many early 1920s suits are so different to what we are used to that they just don't make the wearer feel comfortable with them.

 

[herringbonekid]

the main problem with mine is the lack of waist (which i wasn't expecting at all) coupled with the flare of the skirt. gives it all a /\ look.

review of mine here:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?69703-1920s-suits&p=1636195&viewfull=1#post1636195


volv, i thought you were looking for a turn of the century sack suit anyway ?

 

[Papperskatt]

Help!

I need you guys' expert opinion. I just got this suit from ebay. Having never owned a 20's suit before I jumped at the chance and it arrived today. However, something seems so weird about it. Maybe it just doesn't fit me well? The way it tapers seems really bizarre. The chest seems rather tight as well. Also, there are no front darts it seems.

Maybe it just doesn't fit me? It seems there is some fabric to let out in the jacket.

Maybe it's a mediocre suit? (This isn't one of the dreaded jazz suit variety, is it?) I'm thinking of returning it. It'll cost money to fix the moth holes and if it's not going to look good I figure why bother.

What do you guys think?

It's a two button jacket, right? I'm fairly certain that both buttons are meant to be buttoned and not just the top one as on a modern 2b-jacket.

If you're not used to wearing jackets from the late 10's and early 20's then it's understandable that it will take a little getting used to as the cut is very different from today. However, I think that it looks just fine on you! Wear it around the house for a day or two, or 'til you feel comfortable in it. Then, once you've decided to keep it, shorten the sleeves and maybe let it out a bit in the chest.

 

[cpdv]

You!!! Guess who made you pay that price! Haha if u don't want it I'll take it.

 

[Tomasso]

Guess who made you pay that price! Haha

Well, that's one way to describe one's participation in the bidding process.

 

[cpdv]

Well I went up to the very limit of my budget at the time. Just wish I had more then as I've been hunting for an early 20s suit like a madman for a bit.

 

[DamianM]

Volvomeister. if you dont like it sell it to CPDV. And I should stress it again. 1920s suits are not for everyone.

 

[Rudie]

You!!! Guess who made you pay that price! Haha if u don't want it I'll take it.

Problem solved. Win-win.

 

[herringbonekid]

1928:

 

[volvomeister13]

the main problem with mine is the lack of waist (which i wasn't expecting at all) coupled with the flare of the skirt. gives it all a /\ look.

review of mine here:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?69703-1920s-suits&p=1636195&viewfull=1#post1636195


volv, i thought you were looking for a turn of the century sack suit anyway ?

Yeah, I'm also on the market for a sack suit (or quality reproduction), but despite my forays of interest in that era I can't abandon the 20's and 30's. They're all so good in their own ways.

It's a two button jacket, right? I'm fairly certain that both buttons are meant to be buttoned and not just the top one as on a modern 2b-jacket.

If you're not used to wearing jackets from the late 10's and early 20's then it's understandable that it will take a little getting used to as the cut is very different from today. However, I think that it looks just fine on you! Wear it around the house for a day or two, or 'til you feel comfortable in it. Then, once you've decided to keep it, shorten the sleeves and maybe let it out a bit in the chest.

You!!! Guess who made you pay that price! Haha if u don't want it I'll take it.

Papperskatt: That's what I did and I really warmed up to it. Thanks! Just needs a littler altering and moth hole restoration and it'll be good to go.
CPDV: Well played indeed. Sorry, but I'm going to hold onto it. Good luck to you though.


It's really interesting how despite the many times I've seen the late teens and early twenties suits in films from the era, it was never totally apparent just how different they are until I tried this one on. It definitely did take some getting used to. It really shows how the popular perception of "the twenties" is more similar to the late twenties, specifically, or even the thirties. Even "Boardwalk Empire," which I love and which I think captures a great 1920's feel, doesn't always quite get that something about the early twenties that was so different.

 

[DamianM]

The late twenties are still very different and evolving into the perceived perfection of the 1930s.

Some late 20s garments still held the ^shape.

 

[volvomeister13]

The late twenties are still very different and evolving into the perceived perfection of the 1930s.

Some late 20s garments still held the ^shape.

Good point. And I realized the shape improved quite a bit after not being squeezed into a shipping box for a while.

 

[cpdv]

Make sure you button that bottom button and get yourself a large flat cap Cordova cap style and it will look great!

 

[herringbonekid]

Nils Asther, 1929:

 

[herringbonekid]

 

[Baron Kurtz]

17.10.1923. More photos when I have it in hand.