Esquire’s Complete Golden Age Illustrations:

[Fastuni]

Agreed! Fortunately the makers can't keep the costumer of good and discerning taste from picking apart and combining otherwise the matching sets.

 

[Flanderian]

Agreed! Fortunately the makers can't keep the costumer of good and discerning taste from picking apart and comibining otherwise the matching sets.

Frankly, I had just not considered that simple and useful solution!

 

[Fading Fast]

...
The coat below is handsome, but more of interest because of the particular blend of fibers used in the spinning and weaving of the cloth. Alpaca is a marvelous natural fiber possessing a good deal of the softness and warmth of cashmere, but providing greater breathability and better wear. Alpaca worsted suiting was once less uncommon. Mohair wears like iron, is wrinkle resistant and has an attractive sheen, these two fibers combined with quality sheep's wool might yield a very useful cloth.

The merchants brand name is also of interest since during roughly the same period a cloth with the brand name of Alpagora was also advertised. A blend of alpaca and angora with other fibers?...

Everything you said makes sense and is educational, what is odd is the disclaimer, "Alpacuna, a registered trademark, is not to be construed as describing fiber content, contains no vicuna."

Basically, WTF. It seems intentionally deceitful: they create a name that sounds like a blend of fibers and then put, in fine print, a disclaimer that says the name doesn't reflect fiber content. This is why we are all cynics.

But I agree, nice looking coat. The clothes in the Eagle ad are also quite nice looking.

 

[Flanderian]

Everything you said makes sense and is educational, what is odd is the disclaimer, "Alpacuna, a registered trademark, is not to be construed as describing fiber content, contains no vicuna."

Basically, WTF. It seems intentionally deceitful: they create a name that sounds like a blend of fibers and then put, in fine print, a disclaimer that says the name doesn't reflect fiber content. This is why we are all cynics.

But I agree, nice looking coat. The clothes in the Eagle ad are also quite nice looking.

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The name doesn't disturb me. While deceit is the glory of advertising, I read it more as suggestive that the alpaca fiber content created cloth with a vicuna-like hand. Though all of my familiarity with actual vicuna is confined to a touch, my limited understanding of its properties suggests it might tend to impart some undesirable fragility to a coat.

 

[Flanderian]

This is part 1 of 2 of Esquire, November 1949.

 

[Fading Fast]

The name doesn't disturb me. While deceit is the glory of advertising, I read it more as suggestive that the alpaca fiber content created cloth with a vicuna-like hand. Though all of my familiarity with actual vicuna is confined to a touch, my limited understanding of its properties suggests it might tend to impart some undesirable fragility to a coat.

 

[Flanderian]

If she wants to be my gal, I'm holding out for shahtoosh!

 

[Flanderian]

This is part 2 of 2 of Esquire, November 1949.

While arguably not sartorial content, the following 2 pages touch upon topics frequently questioned in various sartorial forums, so it would be a shame not to recover Esquire's views on them, circa 1949.

 

[Flanderian]

At last, we finish out the glorious year of 1949, roughly 15 years after Esquire's maiden issue of September 1933. The term Golden Age is more evocative than defined, and depending upon subjective preference might have concluded a half decade earlier, or continue further into mid-century modern. Certainly each sartorial epoch has at least some features that are generally appealing.

But my feeling is that fashion has already departed significantly from my personal preferences, and that the number of lush illustrations that once defined this publication has declined. And knowing Esquire's future course, sartorial style will continue to become an even less significant part of its content.

So I will conclude the posting of each successive month's illustrations here, with December 1949's. I've found it both enjoyable and enriching to be able to do this for the reasons explained in my initial post, I.e., I feel they're both inspirational and instructive, and offer something of great value to the fabric of American life, which should not be lost.

 

[Faux Brummell]

Thanks again for doing this, what a great resource.

I’m happy to see that your final post included a black tie illustration!

 

[Flanderian]

Thanks again for doing this, what a great resource.

I’m happy to see that your final post included a black tie illustration!

You are very welcome, sir!

And I'm delighted that it included a topic you particularly enjoy.

 

[Fading Fast]

Wonderful and enjoyable. Thank you, @Flanderian, for having done this for us.

 

[Tiki Tom]

Thank you. I have enjoyed it very much, and also learned a thing or two. Well done!

 

[Fastuni]

I was daily checking and looking forward to your newest addition. Very enjoyable and interesting journey indeed! Thank you.

 

[Flanderian]

Wonderful and enjoyable. Thank you, @Flanderian, for having done this for us.

Thank you. I have enjoyed it very much, and also learned a thing or two. Well done!

I was daily checking and looking forward to your newest addition. Very enjoyable and interesting journey indeed! Thank you.

You're very welcome, gentlemen!

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Bump....I have ben revisiting this thread for some inspiration on commissioning a new spring jacket and cap.

Thanks to Flanderian for the huge effort of preparing and posting. Enjoy the fruits of this gentleman's labor folks.

Thanks again. Salute!

Cheers, Eric -

 

[Flanderian]

Bump....I have ben revisiting this thread for some inspiration on commissioning a new spring jacket and cap.

Thanks to Flanderian for the huge effort of preparing and posting. Enjoy the fruits of this gentleman's labor folks.

Thanks again. Salute!

Cheers, Eric -

Quite welcome, sir!

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Bump again. I went through this thread looking for shoe options when wearing gray flannel and blazer. Terrific inspirations.

Love this thread. Enjoy viewing folks.

Eric -