Can an experienced member help me?

[Gabriel]

Hey there!

First off, I'd like to first start off by stating that I am completely new to the Fedora Lounge as this is my first post. So without further adieu, let me get started. While I was looking around the internet for tips on how to get started for dressing up in 1940s-50s style, I came across a guide on "How to dress like Vito Scaletta" from Mafia 2. Only problem is, while reading through the guide, I could only help but notice that many of these links and sites that I was linked to provided with me with numerous "Cheap branded items" or shut down websites. To make matters worse, it didn't seem like the guide exactly was even half accurate on the style for Vito Scaletta in Mafia 2 since a lot of the clothing seemed very modernized. To give you a more concise look, here is an image of what Vito is wearing while in-game.

THE GUIDE LINK - http://www.complex.com/style/2010/0...fia-ii/tommy-hilfiger-tipton-custom-fit-shirt

Ultimately, I would like to start purchasing clothes similar to this but I just honestly don't know where to start. I hardly know the names to any of the clothing pieces he's wearing, hardly know any terms, and honestly don't know what sites to look at for something like this. In the end, could someone with experience please spread some insight on this as it would be greatly appreciated.

Here is the following that would really help me get started:

- The name of the items that he is wearing (Would appreciate this part beyond measures)
- The locations where I can buy the items
- The price range

-Anything else worthy of note taking down?


All of this would be very much appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[KILO NOVEMBER]

The two hats are distinctly different. The one on the right, with the narrow brim is usually called a "stingy-brim fedora" and became widely popular (in the late 1950's and early 1960's) just before men generally stopped wearing fedoras. The last appearance of a stingy-brim fedora on a movie character that I can recall was worn by "Popeye Doyle" (Gene Hackman) in "The French Connection". The wider-brimed model worn by the man in the long coat doesn't have a common name, but if you are looking for something similar, look for a brim 3 to 3 1/2 inches. The stingy-brim hats generally had 1 1/2 to 2 inch brims.

On the question of where to buy these, well, that depends on the quality of the hat you are prepared to finance. Custom makers Tony Brouner and Art Fawcette, both widely admired here can be easily found among the posters. If you are looking for an inexpensive, mass-produced hat of middling to low price (and quality) look on line for a retailer of Stetson hats. I think you'll find something there.

 

[Gabriel]

The two hats are distinctly different. The one on the right, with the narrow brim is usually called a "stingy-brim fedora" and became widely popular (in the late 1950's and early 1960's) just before men generally stopped wearing fedoras. The last appearance of a stingy-brim fedora on a movie character that I can recall was worn by "Popeye Doyle" (Gene Hackman) in "The French Connection". The wider-brimed model worn by the man in the long coat doesn't have a common name, but if you are looking for something similar, look for a brim 3 to 3 1/2 inches. The stingy-brim hats generally had 1 1/2 to 2 inch brims.

On the question of where to buy these, well, that depends on the quality of the hat you are prepared to finance. Custom makers Tony Brouner and Art Fawcette, both widely admired here can be easily found among the posters. If you are looking for an inexpensive, mass-produced hat of middling to low price (and quality) look on line for a retailer of Stetson hats. I think you'll find something there.

Okay, sounds great! In regards to the suit he's wearing though, what are the proper terms for them and where can I buy them?

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

Do you have more pictures? The slideshow in the link doesn't work on my phone. Honestly I wouldn't try too hard to look like this video game character. The 40s-50s style in general is fine of course. You may have noticed we have several sub forums. In the suits forum there is a sticky to important threads at the top of the list. Now read the 40s and 50s related threads. Catalog scans for example. But also read the comments of the FL members. You will learn a lot more than from a ready made shopping list.

Be patient. Unless you are Johnny Depp and can have your agents buy everything at once it will take some time to acquire a full outfit from head to toe.

 

[KILO NOVEMBER]

The picture isn't clear, but it looks like a single-breasted suit. The trousers don't have cuffs, which I find odd. The suit coat has a fairly high "gorge", which refers to the point where the lapels join at the breast, and the lapels appear to be wide, a late 1940's look.

I often use a custom tailor for suits who is based in Bangkok. He makes world tours, coming to the U.S. two to three times per year, but usually stops only in large cities. Whether this option is convenient for you depends on where you live. You can get a made-to-measure suit for $300 - $500 dollars. Unfortunately, suits available in menswear shops (Jos. A. Banks, for example) will probably not have the wide-legged trousers and the wide lapels. "Mad Men" took over the fashion market a few years back, and the suits of the early-to-mid 1960's had narrow lapels and narrow trouser legs.

Google "Prince Henry" clothiers to see which cities they will visit on their next tour. I've also had a good experience with "Aspetto", although at a slightly higher price point, a US-based made-to-measure tailor in Fredericksburg VA. I live in the Virginia suburbs of Washington DC, so visiting them is convenient for me.

Either will make a suit the way you want it, not necessarily in the style currently offered by mass-market menswear retailers.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

Another option is to buy originals from eBay, etsy or thrift stores. Of course this requires a certain amount of knowledge. But like I said before: be patient. It's not done in one week or month.

Buying made to measure suits also requires knowledge about the details. I would wait with that.