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Esquire’s Complete Golden Age Illustrations:

Flanderian

Practically Family
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"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.
View attachment 271519


It looks okay in the illustration, but four patterns or weaves - sport coat, shirt, tie and pants - might be a bit much IRL.
View attachment 271520

Or he had been watching newsreels of bombing runs! :rolleyes:

And I'll take the redhead. (But where, at my age, I'd take her is a puzzlement. :oops:)

And I agree entirely about the V-neck sweater vest, and I'm equally delighted by its pale yellow shade, one of my favorites. I just enjoy the color, but am equally grateful for its ability to pair with and enhance so many other colors.
 

Flanderian

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Flanders, NJ, USA
Here is Esquire's paltry May 1943 offerings.


Esq054302.jpg



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Esq054301.jpg
 
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Flanderian

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Flanders, NJ, USA
For July 1943, just a lonesome pair from Esquire.


Esq074301.jpg



Esq074302.jpg



And with such a small number, it would seem reasonable to also post the illustrations from August. So, here are also the August 1943 Esquire illustrations.


Esq084302a.jpg



Esq084302b.jpg



Esq084303a.jpg



Esq084303b.jpg



Esq084301.jpg
 

Flanderian

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Location
Flanders, NJ, USA
December 1943 in Esquire was another slender batch of editorial sartorial content. So I combed the issue for additional ad art, and found some that I think are rather nice, and hopefully in keeping with some common interests.


Esq124301a.jpg



Esq124301b.jpg



Esq124301c1.jpg



Esq124301c2.jpg



Esq124303.jpg



Esq124304.jpg



Esq124305.jpg



Esq124307.jpg



Esq124308.jpg



Esq124309.jpg
 

Flanderian

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Messages
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Location
Flanders, NJ, USA
That guy in the McGregor ad seems to be getting a jump on the Ricky Jacket trend.

I think some version of it began appearing even earlier. And somewhat similar variants lasted into the '60's as fashion. And I guess it could be argued that sweater jackets with a woven front might be considered a form that can still occasionally be found.

These illustrations are fabulous. An idealized glimpse at times gone by. But I do hope that this guy does not have phosgene in there, or else they are both dead, lol.

Glad you enjoy them!

The scene into which these two fellows are placed is so evocative of many, many B-Grade sci-fi movie posters from the period and later.
 
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Tiki Tom

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This thread is the next best thing to time travel.

Under October 1943, I love the “Campaign Colors”. Did that take off, even briefly? It kind of reminds me of ties sporting regimental colors. I had one once upon a time (can’t even remember which regiment it was.) Anyway, the entire time I owned the tie, it never elicited one comment; not one. No one had any idea. One day in frustration I mentioned to a coworker that it was a regimental tie; he quickly jumped to the conclusion that I was eccentric. I learned something that day... that some things are better not to mention!
 

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