Esquire’s Complete Golden Age Illustrations:

[Flanderian]

The are the Esquire illustrations for August 1942.

 

[Flanderian]

These are September 1942's illustrations.

 

[Tiki Tom]

I know I live in a world colored by cliches, but now that uniforms are being sprinkled in, its beginning to feel more like the 1940s to me. They look very sharp too.

What is on that gentleman’s sleeve in the McGregor ad?

 

[Flanderian]

I know I live in a world colored by cliches, but now that uniforms are being sprinkled in, its beginning to feel more like the 1940s to me. They look very sharp too.

What is on that gentleman’s sleeve in the McGregor ad?

That, sir, is the Civil Defense insignia for an Air Raid Warden.

https://www.alternatewars.com/WW3/Civil_Defense/CD_Organization.htm

 

[Flanderian]

Here are October 1942's Esquire illustrations.

 

[Fading Fast]

It's really amazing how much better the clothes and people look in the illustrations than in real-life shots.

I'm getting, at least, an echo of our old friend the diamond pattern in that sport coat:

 

[Flanderian]

It's really amazing how much better the clothes and people look in the illustrations than in real-life shots.
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I'm getting, at least, an echo of our old friend the diamond pattern in that sport coat:
View attachment 270693

Agreed. Partly the product of more talented illustrators than photographers, partially reality. As a long term Paul Stuart catalog addict, the perfect model in the hands of an ultra talented photographer, can yield similar effects. But the Esquire photos aren't 7 foot tall guys, or necessarily those with a 30 inch waist.

Paul Stuart back in the day -

 

[Fading Fast]

Agreed. Partly the product of more talented illustrators than photographers, partially reality. As a long term Paul Stuart catalog addict, the perfect model in the hands of an ultra talented photographer, can yield similar effects. But the Esquire photos aren't 7 foot tall guys, or necessarily those with a 30 inch waist.

Paul Stuart back in the day -


View attachment 270889

No question. The best "models," with well-tailored clothes and a talented photographer can look as if they just walked out of the pages of Esquire, just as do many of the GE Hollywood stars.

 

[Flanderian]

These are the Esquire illustrations for November 1942.

 

[Flanderian]

And December 1942's meager pair.

 

[Flanderian]

Esquire January 1943.

 

[Flanderian]

These are the February 1943 Esquire illustrations.

 

[Fading Fast]

An outstanding suit and raincoat and, well, tie and shirt and luggage and car and building - you get the point. Usually, when I love one of these illustrations, it turns out to be a Fellows, so I was a bit surprised this one was a Leslie Saalburg, but only a bit, as he is a close second on my list of favorites.

 

[Flanderian]

An outstanding suit and raincoat and, well, tie and shirt and luggage and car and building - you get the point. Usually, when I love one of these illustrations, it turns out to be a Fellows, so I was a bit surprised this one was a Leslie Saalburg, but only a bit, as he is a close second on my list of favorites.
View attachment 271239

Great illustration of some great clothing! Very much my sweet spot also.

Noticed Press is offering a 3 piece Donegal tweed. Hmm . . . ?

 

[Flanderian]

These are the March 1943 Esquire illustrations.

 

[Flanderian]

Looking at the meagerness of March's illustrations contained in my archives, I did another quick run through to see if there was anything else to be gleaned. And while nothing sterling was omitted, I did find a few which might be of limited interest. For what they're worth -

 

[Nobert]

I take it that last is the male equivalent of the curtains matching the drapes.

 

[Flanderian]

I take it that last is the male equivalent of the curtains matching the drapes.

Match-o-philia run amuck!

 

[Flanderian]

And April 1943's Esquire illustrations.

 

[Fading Fast]

"incendiary...flirtation kindles...how about a light...from that spark...fire in his eyes...steam heat in his heart"

Somebody took out his thesaurus to look up synonyms for "fire."

While we are supposed to be all agog over the slouching red head (the fire thing again), I'm a bit more interesting in the seated blond with the soft-sided briefcase on her head.

Oh, and yes, Joe Cool there does have on an outstanding rig. I'm a big fan of the V-neck-sweater-or-sweater-vest-with-a-suit look.

It looks okay in the illustration, but four patterns or weaves - sport coat, shirt, tie and pants - might be a bit much IRL.