Advice on 1930s accessories

[Emporator]

Hello all,

First post - here goes.

I've begun to put together a few bits and pieces to wear in addition to a suit I'd like to have made and would welcome some advice on accessories. I've got a pair of 1920s Windsor style spectacles, a collar-pin (is that the right term?), a cigarette case and a pocket watch.

What other goodies would add to the flair of a 1930s suit without over-doing it?

 

[Shangas]

I think you're thinking of a collar-BAR. To hold the wings of your collar together under your tie, right?

Well...a pocket handkerchief, suspenders, a hat of course. Maybe a vesta-case and some friction matches?

 

[Nick D]

Welcome to the Lounge!

Collar pin is a correct term, particularly if it actually pins through the points of the collar. If they grip rather than pierce they're usually called collar bars, but no big deal, really.

A short tie, to go with high-waist trousers, with a wide blade and small knot is one of the key things in my mind, since the eye is drawn to the colour of the tie and the contrast between tie and shirt. If the tie isn't the right shape, it throws off the look. Luckily, original ties from the '30s to the early '50s are not difficult to find and are much less expensive than some other elements.

Definitley put a square in the breast pocket! It's a nice touch.

 

[djd]

A cigarette holder?

 

[Emporator]

Hello all,

A collar bar it is - thanks for the correction.

Many thanks for your replies - I like the idea of the square in the breast pocket, as well as the friction matches. Are these matches readily available?

The vesta case picques my curiosity - I'd heard of them but didn't know what they were. A new hunt is on!

 

[Shangas]

This is a vesta case. They held old-fashioned friction-matches (called 'Vestas', hence the name). Because friction-matches ignited the moment they were rubbed against anything significantly rough, it was dangerous to keep them loose in your pocket. One scratch against loose change, or your keys, or the case of your pocketwatch would set the matches on fire.

So to transport them safely, they were stored in these little cases. You'll notice the underside of the case has a ribbed striking-surface. You'd open the case, take out a match, close the case, turn it upside-down and strike the match on the bottom of the case to light it.

You can still buy friction-matches today. Try camping/survival supplies stores. They're also called strike-anywhere matches (I prefer 'friction match' just because it sounds so much nicer).

 

[Emporator]

Hello Shangas,

That is marvellous - I wouldn't mind getting one of those. Thanks for the picture - it's a treat. Do you have other Vesta cases?

I've long wondered about friction matches. I had no idea they were still available. I'll have to find a local camping store and see if I can acquire a set. I've always wanted to strike the ubiquitous pose against a wall before using it to strike a match. Very cool indeed.

 

[Shangas]

You're welcome. I don't actually own a vesta-case (never found a use for one), but that one there is representative of Victorian-era Vesta cases. They would still have been used in the early 20th century just for the sake of style and convenience.

Go to camping supply stores to find friction-matches or strike-anywhere matches. Camping/hiking/outdoor-activities stores should keep them in stock for people who use them to go camping. When modern safety matches get wet and the box is ruined, then it's impossible to light the matches. But these matches will strike against any suitably rough surface. A brick wall. A tire. Even the sole of your shoe.

Here's a segment of the 1992 film 'Chaplin', about the life of Charlie Chaplin. At the 1:48 mark, he takes out a match and strikes it against the board that the Keystone Cop is holding. That's what friction-matches do. You couldn't do that with a modern safety match. Those are the kinds of matches that these old vesta-cases would've held.

[video=youtube;38wggFfCQlc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38wggFfCQlc&feature=related[/video]

 

[Tomasso]

Here's a segment of the 1992 film 'Chaplin'

Tease!


Not available in the US of A.....

 

[Emporator]

Hi Shangas,

Brilliant! I've not seen 'Chaplin' for many a moon and had forgotten all about this scene! Hearty thanks for posting this; a treat!

 

[renaissancemedici]

This isn't exactly accesories, but how about a travelling grooming kit?

 

[Warbaby]

Of course, a hip flask is de rigueur.

 

[Shangas]

This isn't exactly accesories, but how about a travelling grooming kit?

In my experience, portable vintage grooming-kits from the 1920s-1930s are very common. I've seen them several times at flea-markets. I never bought one though, because I have no use for them.

And if the O.P. doesn't have a use for them, he might at least want to own one of these sets of men's hairbrushes. This set dates to ca. 1935 and it's made by Kent Brushes of London (still manufacturing today).

My set of hairbrushes (on the shelf).

These brush-sets were popular for men during the late Victorian period and right up to the 1950s and 60s. They produced those sleek, tight, pulled-back hairdos that people associate with the 1930s. Like this:

That's George Raft, a Hollywood actor from the 30s and 40s famous for playing gangster-roles.

 

[Undertow]

I don't suppose you could add a brass Zippo lighter. Those came into popularity during and after WWII, but they were on the market in the 1930's.

 

[filfoster]

I don't suppose you could add a brass Zippo lighter. Those came into popularity during and after WWII, but they were on the market in the 1930's.

Got a Zippo from my daughters for my birthday and I no longer smoke. I just love handling it, flicking the steel lighter wheel and savoring the smell of the fluid in the case. Brings back a lot of great memories.

 

[John in Covina]

Fountain Pen

One great accesory is to carry a fountain pen. If you look around you may find a local club for collectors or a good pen shop that carries vintage fountain pens. You can carry something that is of the correct vintage. In this section there are numerous fountain pen threads so if you have questions a little research will get you most of your answers. You can get a modern pen for in the mean time, if you want to try them out see if you can score the disposible Pilot Varsity as a toe dipping excercise.

 

[Shangas]

John's got the right idea! Fountain pens are WIN!

 

[avedwards]

A tie clip.

These seem to have come into fashion in the last few months (in the UK at least) so they should be quite easy to find. I have yet to start wearing one myself as I usually wear a waistcoat so it would have little functional use for me.

Also, a nice pair of cufflinks. Preferably double sided for a 30s look.

 

[Shangas]

I wear waistcoats on such a regular basis that I'd never have a use for a tie-clip.

But how about a Poirotesque Bouttoniere?

 

[avedwards]

I wear waistcoats on such a regular basis that I'd never have a use for a tie-clip.

Which is why I don't wear them either, although a modern trend over here seems to be to wear a tie clip with a waistcoat (presumably for decorative rather than functional reasons). Either way, the original poster didn't mention whether or not he wears waistcoats so a tie clip could be an option.