Linen Suits: Color Options?

[cbrunt]

HI Gang,

I'd greatly appreciate some input on color options of a linen suit circa 1938-1941. I'm getting one to wear at the always sweltering WW2 event at Reading, Pa in June. Most likely I'll go with Magnoli.

The traditional all-white/off-white is fine, but I like contrasting colors. I was debating light blue jacket, with white pants, shirt and vest. And perhaps a dark blue tie. Honestly- I love other peoples suits but really have trouble with colors so have never done a vintage suit...

For shoes I have my Alden 405s but they're pretty dark. I think with the lighter colors of the suit a pair of spectators in light-brown and white would be nice.

Spectators actually is another subject, but where can I find a pair in leather and canvas?? They do exist, correct???

Anyway, would my color choices really fit basic 1930s early 40s style??

Again, any advice or constructive critisicm is appreciated!!!

Clint

 

[billyspew]

Did you check through these threads?

Seem to have a few summer entries.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

In the U.S., the most popular colors for '30s linen suits were white/cream, tan, light grey, and various shades of blue and brown.


.

 

[BinkieBaumont]

"This is my favourite Linen summer suit, its beige, I also have a lighter (cream) double breasted "Tommy Nutter" cotton suit with turnups on the trousers, and this Linen/Rayon sports jacket, which I can mix with the pants from the two suits"

 

[cptjeff]

In the U.S., the most popular colors for '30s linen suits were white/cream, tan, light grey, and various shades of blue and brown.


.

Not exactly too limiting...lol

I would go with a nice powder blue if I was having one made for myself. Full suit, not just the jacket. White shirt, nice panama, royal blue tie.

 

[Edw8ri]

Linen suits should be light in color. A dark linen suit would defeat the purpose which is to be cool.

I used to have a cream colored linen suit and loved it. I wore it as suit. I wore the trousers with a blue blazer. I wore the jacket with blue linen trousers. It was amazingly flexible.

This spring, if I have a few extra bucks, I am going to be in the market for another one.

 

[cbrunt]

Thanks for the varied and useful input guys. I'll definately stay with light colors. Either white all-round or a powder blue jacket at darkest.

I am using the excellent links of catalog pages! Thanks Billy!

Clint

 

[skyvue]

Linen suits should be light in color. A dark linen suit would defeat the purpose which is to be cool.

I think dark linen suits are fine -- they're still a heckuva lot cooler than dark suits in other fabrics.

I like light-colored summer suits, but sometimes a dark suit is called for, even in the dog days, and a dark linen fills the bill on such occasions.

 

[cookie]

I think dark linen suits are fine -- they're still a heckuva lot cooler than dark suits in other fabrics.

I like light-colored summer suits, but sometimes a dark suit is called for, even in the dog days, and a dark linen fills the bill on such occasions.

I agree and I wear Navy Blue Irish linen suits to work.

 

[Edward]

Linen suits should be light in color. A dark linen suit would defeat the purpose which is to be cool.

I wish I could remember where I read it, but according to some scientific research, the idea that colour/shade affect temperature is a fallacy. [huh]

I do like the traditional appearance of light linen suits myself, though at the end of the last Summer season I picked up one in black, specifically for more formal occasions during the Summer months where a lounge suit in a dark hue is called for. Looking forward to not cooking in wool during July graduation ceremonies this year!

 

[Tomasso]

I wish I could remember where I read it, but according to some scientific research, the idea that colour/shade affect temperature is a fallacy.

I don't know if it was the same study but I read one that came to the same conclusion. IIRC the study was conducted in the deserts of the Middle East using indigenous people.

 

[Evan Everhart]

HI Gang,

I'd greatly appreciate some input on color options of a linen suit circa 1938-1941. I'm getting one to wear at the always sweltering WW2 event at Reading, Pa in June. Most likely I'll go with Magnoli.

The traditional all-white/off-white is fine, but I like contrasting colors. I was debating light blue jacket, with white pants, shirt and vest. And perhaps a dark blue tie. Honestly- I love other peoples suits but really have trouble with colors so have never done a vintage suit...

For shoes I have my Alden 405s but they're pretty dark. I think with the lighter colors of the suit a pair of spectators in light-brown and white would be nice.

Spectators actually is another subject, but where can I find a pair in leather and canvas?? They do exist, correct???

Anyway, would my color choices really fit basic 1930s early 40s style??

Again, any advice or constructive critisicm is appreciated!!!

Clint

I'd go cadet blue instead of powder blue, more discrete while still unusual and Imminently Period appropriate. The clothes that they put Walter Donovan in, in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. It's a pale powdery blue with a touch more gray to give it some gravitas. I'd also recommend a bright rusty brown or mustard yellow, or teal; all very popular Summer suit colors in that era. Have you considered the glories of Seersucker, but in brown or yellow?