30s 40s PALM BEACH SUIT Double BREASTED BELTED BACK PLEATS 39-40

[DamianM]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-30s-40s...pt=Vintage_Men_s_Clothing&hash=item232d4eac80
so nice

 

[Tomasso]

Nice but where's the Goodall label.

 

[Dinerman]

It was made by the Chicago Rubber Clothing Company, 1501 Albert St. Racine, Wisconsin. They launched the "Smartair" line and the "Smartair Summer Clothing Company" in Spring of 1935. Their other big line was "Rainfair".
Smartair was just a brand, not a specific fabric like Palm Beach was, and they produced a wide variety of sportswear, at least through the 1970s.

 

[DamianM]

I just copied the sellers title.
It aint palm beach buts its a 3os summer suit, probably linen and cotton blend

 

[Tomasso]

It was made by the Chicago Rubber Clothing Company

You gotta love some of the names they came up with for these vintage incorporations. Very cutting edge for the time.

 

[herringbonekid]

does anyone actually wear a white DB suit with any kind of regularity (i.e. outside of a once or twice a year vintage event) ?

i'm genuinely interested.

 

[DamianM]

If I had it, I would wear it as much as possible during the summer.
It is bold for today but why this suit and then wear it as a costume for an event?

 

[Nick D]

I'd like two or three in my summer wardrobe with various details. They'd get weekly use. One of these days.

 

[Tomasso]

I once had a white SB linen suit that led to my discovery of how filthy the world actually is. Impossible to keep clean. Never again. DBs are probably not the best choice for warmer climes due to the additional layers of cloth over the front adding to the warmth and wearing them unbuttoned isn't the best look.

 

[DamianM]

I once had a white SB linen suit that led to my discovery of how filthy the world actually is. Impossible to keep clean. Never again. DBs are probably not the best choice for warmer climes due to the additional layers of cloth over the front adding to the warmth and wearing them unbuttoned isn't the best look.

I would imagine that would be the problem.
But DB's are common in the vintage world and you would have to wear a light shirt under as well paired with a palm beach tie to keep things always cool.
And if it really does get hot. I'd just take off the jacket, simple.
So far I only have an early 50s linen patch pocket jacket and that goes out when its warm, but I truly want a db suit.
That's why I started to make my own but at the moment its stalled due to time issues. Ill get it done before the summers out.

Those who own these suit probably like you said use them once a year as a costume to the event. And well it preserves the pieces, we should see more of them out.

 

[herringbonekid]

DBs are probably not the best choice for warmer climes due to the additional layers of cloth over the front adding to the warmth...

good point.

i get the feeling they aren't very popular today as there seems to be a steady supply turning up for sale.

 

[DamianM]

good point.

i get the feeling they aren't very popular today as there seems to be a steady supply turning up for sale.

Well then you should dismiss 3 piece DB suits?
I feel like today people would rather take there clothes off believing it makes them cooler then just taking the heat and adapting the body temperature to a comfortable level by drinking enough water.
The supply is just because there is a demand for them in the summer and the ART DECO QUEEN MARY event is coming up.

 

[herringbonekid]

I once had a white SB linen suit that led to my discovery of how filthy the world actually is.

a bit of grubbiness doesn't bother me when wearing white. i think you have to just accept it as part of the wrinkled overall look.
i own a white SB linen belt back suit but wear it very rarely.

 

[herringbonekid]

Well then you should dismiss 3 piece DB suits?

er, you mean because of the heat factor ? in autumn-winter they wouldn't present a problem.

 

[DamianM]

Then thing is they are made of linen like materials that would let the air through and reflect the heat away from your body so they still are comfortable wear.
I wear linen slacks vest and the jacket during the 95+ heat wave we had here, and although everyone was hot I was comfortable. you cant escape the heat but at least adapt to it for the time being.

 

[Nick D]

I've never been sure about the double-breasted wears warmer thing. It's only an extra 7 or so inches on the lower torso. I guess I need a db summer suit to test the hypothesis

 

[Nick D]

I should add, I have had medium and heavy weight db suits and jackets, and I never noticed a difference from my sb suits, but as they were for different seasons, I couldn't say how they compare.

 

[Two Types]

Most of the time a double breasted wont be warmer, simply because there's damn good chance you'll wear a waistcoat with a single breasted suit.

I'm not sure that a double breasted white suit would top my list, but if I found one, I'd buy it.

I wouldn't wear it to work though.

 

[Tomasso]

a bit of grubbiness doesn't bother me when wearing white. i think you have to just accept it as part of the wrinkled overall look.

The wrinkles associated with linen don't bother me in the least, in fact I celebrate them. But stains are a different story. I tried to view them as a 'patina' like I do scuff marks on shoes or threadworn garments but I just couldn't talk myself into it. I guess I just hate stains. That said, I do wear my seersucker suits with some light staining but they are nowhere near as prominant probably due to the mitagating effect of the stripes.

 

[Tomasso]

I've never been sure about the double-breasted wears warmer thing. It's only an extra 7 or so inches on the lower torso.

Just as a DB overcoat will keep you warmer than a SB in winter by not allowing as much cold air to penetrate, any cool breezes are locked out of a DB suit when properly buttoned; as they should be. Now, if you want to wear them opened then that's another story.