I Have Seen the Future ...

[Marc Chevalier]

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Not as the Great Karnak this time, but as an observer of Melrose Avenue (L.A.) vintage clothing store trends.


Certain "hip" Melrose vintage stores (which also carry new stuff by new designers) are, by necessity, ahead of the curve when it comes to men's fashion. They try hard to ride the early crest of "the next big thing," and the items that they offer appear in department stores as much as four years later.


Well, guess what those stores (i.e., "Wasteland" and "Slow") are carrying now? That's right: suits. Lots of them. Much more than I've seen there in the past two years. Suits in heavy woolen fabrics, even though we're heading toward a hot summer here. And vintage trousers with pleats and even higher waists are returning to the racks. It's been eons since "Wasteland" and "Slow" have carried a decent selection of such pants ... but it's happening now.

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[Marc Chevalier]

I was surprised to see that the Melrose vintage store named "Slow" is now carrying a huge selection of repro 1950s conservative "grey flannel" suits (and some repro early '60s Motown suits). All are made by a Japanese clothing brand called Or Glory. I'd never heard of them before, but their stuff reminds me of the late lamented New Republic Clothiers.


Most surprising of all was a black wool suit jacket that was an exact -- and I mean exact -- copy of a 1930s DB belted back model, complete with pleated pockets, pleated back, and taped seams. Even the armholes were very high! Or Glory made it right. Unfortunately, they're charging $310 for the jacket alone. (No trousers available, alas.)

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[StanleyVanBuren]

Excellent news.

 

[Dagwood]

Very, very exciting!

How were the shoulders and lapels?

Also, checked out the Or Glory website (in Japanese) and it indicates that it is located at 7474 Melrose which, I thought, was the location of Slow. Maybe the companies merged?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

How were the shoulders and lapels?

Exactly the same as on the vintage originals. I looked and looked, and couldn't find any deviations. The manufacturer is an excellent copycat.

Also, checked out the Or Glory website (in Japanese) and it indicates that it is located at 7474 Melrose which, I thought, was the location of Slow. Maybe the companies merged?

I guess so, because 7474 Melrose Ave. is the address of the "Slow" store.


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[Feraud]

That is interesting news. I will be sure to browse along Melrose this November.

 

[happyfilmluvguy]

I've been inside Wasteland. I didn't enjoy the prices. What the range on the "Slow" suits? It sounds like that jacket was more than what it would be worth as vintage.

Dress shirts, sport coats, and suits are becoming popular as of late last year. I have noticed a large majority of people 17-25 wearing them. Though the majority of high schoolers are either African American, Hispanic or Latino. I have seen a few Caucasians but not as many. Nothing wrong with a t shirt and jeans if a sport coat is added to it.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I've been inside Wasteland. I didn't enjoy the prices.

I'm not fond of their prices, either. But my point was that their offerings are the wave of the retail future. If you're seeing those kinds of suits there, by new designers, then you'll most probably see them in department stores a few years from now.

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[happyfilmluvguy]

Definitely! I find that interesting. If hip stores do it, so do other stores. That is, if they sell.

 

[slicedbread]

It feels good to be right doesn't it, Marc? As soon as I got into men's clothing and men's style I, too, felt a change in the winds was coming...However, I didn't expect it to occur so soon...

 

[LaMedicine]

Also, checked out the Or Glory website (in Japanese) and it indicates that it is located at 7474 Melrose which, I thought, was the location of Slow. Maybe the companies merged?

The company is HQd in Tokyo, the address indicating it is located in a hot spot fashion area for small but very avant garde clothiers here--the Omotesandou/Harajyuku area, if any of you know Tokyo. The LA address is in their list of "stores." Judging from the location of the stores here in Japan, they cater towards the young--college and young business men-- conservatively inclined fashion conscious crowd. The price by Japanese standards is about average. (Yeah, I know it's outrageously expensive by US standards. )

 

[Jovan]

Count me as a young guy who wears suits, shirts, and ties often. I like to show respect at the theatre, and to any place I have an interview.

If this is the next wave of fashion, I like it.

 

[neyus]

I dont think this is overpriced for what it is. Its certainly better than most of the stuff in the department stores and boutiques around the country.

Most of that stuff, doesn't have the fit or the character that make vintage suits so great.

 

[cookie]

Down Under

Marc you are right Sydney not being as 'de moda' as Melrose I still see vintage trends cutting through the new stuff but not as authentically as you suggest. I noticed Paul Frederick has one of his summer item suits of a vintage bent.

 

[Travis]

It feels good to be right doesn't it, Marc? As soon as I got into men's clothing and men's style I, too, felt a change in the winds was coming...However, I didn't expect it to occur so soon...

I second that. This is good news indeed.

 

[Undertow]

Well I certainly look forward to the upcoming trend if it has some decent clothes on the horizion! Maybe, just maybe, we'll have a few sweet years where everyone is wearing suits and hats correctly.

I have high hopes!

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

High hopes for high armholes and high waists? Well, me too.

 

[herringbonekid]

has anyone found a website for Or Glory ?

 

[hargist]

Thanks for the tip! I'm going to Slow tonight, if not to buy, but at least to check it out. I'm lucky enough to live within walking distance.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Has anyone found a website for Or Glory ?

Here it is: http://www.orglory.com/wear/index.html The belted back DB jacket isn't on the website.

This is nice: http://www.orglory.com/wear/shop/detail/ogcasualdetail806607010.html

Thanks for the tip! I'm going to Slow tonight, if not to buy, but at least to check it out. I'm lucky enough to live within walking distance.

Hargist: when I went to "Slow" weeks ago, there was only one of those black belted back DB jackets in the store. It was on a display stand to the left of the front door, near the left-hand wall. Marked a size medium, though when I tried it on, it fit quite small -- like a 38 Short.


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