Kuppenheimer

[tonyb]

I'm correct in assuming that later-model Kuppenheimer suits are no great shakes, right? Or am I disparaging the entire breed on scant evidence?
I bought one at a local charity thrift store (half-off day had me walking out the door with it for seven dollars and fifty cents). It fits quite well, now that the pants are a couple of inches longer than they were. And it's in nice condition and looks pretty good -- just a straightforward light gray two-button single-breasted suit with pleated trousers. But man, those trousers' innards sure make it look like they cut corners at the factory.
And Kuppenheimer went belly up a few years back, didn't they? I seem to recall Kuppenheimer being an "every man's brand" back in the day. Am I remembering correctly?

 

[Feraud]

I am a fan of Kuppenheimer!

How late model are you talking about? Can you post a few pictures of the construction of the pants to demonstrate what you are referring to?
I have an overcoat from the late 50's that is a nice piece of work.

While in CA. last November I found an incredible double breasted Kuppenheimer suit.

The sleeves need to be taken up a bit on the jacket. The pants are high waisted.

Just this past Saturday at Cheap Jack's with my fellow Loungers I saw a nice Kuppenheimer short Spring style jacket. Not sure why I did not buy it.....

Btw, wear the Kuppenheimer label with pride. While watching The Twilight Zone I noticed Kuppenheimer provided the suits for Rod Serling.

 

[tonyb]

I'd like to post pics but communications between my digital camera, my aging Mac and Photobucket are screwy, and I ain't tech savvy enough to unscrew 'em. So for now my meager powers of description will have to suffice.
This suit was made in the past 15 years, I'd guess. The edges of the fabric are unfinished on the interior of the trousers, such that loose white threads are quite evident. And one end of the the waist band is folded over crookedly and kinda crudely sewn down. Pardon what may be incorrect terms here, as I'm hardly a clothing expert, but my uneducated eyes say this suit is a perfectly servicable but not particularly well-made one. The buttons look cheap, for instance, and the zipper is made of plastic.
But it ain't bad looking, you know, and it's a light weight, so it'll get used some this spring and summer.
It's apparent that your Kuppenheimer stuff is far superior, Feraud. I'm guessing it was made back when "every man" clothing was much better than the stuff that's foisted off on us every men these days.

 

[Fletch]

I believe I still have a Kuppy in storage. Navy blue 3 pc DB, 39R, late 30s. Haven't fit into it in decades. Very nicely built suit and good goods, midweight, with a subtly textured weave. Labeled J.L. Hudson's, Detroit, IIRC.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

A bit of info:

KUPPENHEIMER first made a name for itself in overcoats. This was back in the 'teens and '20s. Kuppenheimer overcoats were of such good quality, even those men whose suits were custom made bought Kuppenheimers. Only in the '30s did they branch into suitmaking.

.

 

[Fletch]

My suit could have been early 40s. Trou were plain-fronted but zippered.

 

[Mr. Rover]

I have a Kuppenheimer tuxedo, and the silk satin lapels are very fine, with very little puckering despite the age. I tend to wear my Richman Bros. one now because I prefer the grosgrain lapels and the pear silhouette of the Kuppenheimer isn't as flattering on me as the late 30's V silhouette.