My Bar Mitzvah suit

[BruceTracy]

I've only owned one suit in my life (Right now I only wear a blazer and that is usually only when I dress up for synagogue.) Interestingly my sole suit which I spoke of was my Bar Mitzvah suit , which I picked out myself at Nordstrom. The suit was a charcoal pinstripe double breasted from the boys' department, as at 13 I was rather small for my age. I also picked a pair o velcro strap Kenneth Cole pseudo-monk straps that I wore with it. However, after my BarMitzvah, I grew and was never able to wear that fantastic suit again . Sorry for rambling on like this. I just wanted to share that information with the members of these forums, as I thought they might find it interesting that I had an interest in and (somewhat) eye for Golden Era styled clothing from a pretty young age. I also never really gave myself any kind of significant introduction on these forums. I welcome and rather encourage replies to this message. Thanks.

Pics of me in the suit (circa 2002):

 

["Skeet" McD]

I thought they might find it interesting that I had an interest in and (somewhat) eye for Golden Era styled clothing from a pretty young age. I also never really gave myself any kind of significant introduction on these forums. I welcome and rather encourage replies to this message. Thanks.

Dear BT, no, thank you! You were looking good on that special day: all the more impressive as you yourself did the choosing. I'm sure that won't be your last suit...make sure you show us your next! I'm a LOT older than you (55) but had similar tastes to yours when I was your age, and--like you--acted accordingly.

I hope you had a lovely Pesach and are enjoying every bit of chametz you can get down your throat....I have to say: meat sure tasted good after 45 days of Lent!

Don't be a stranger,
"Skeet"

 

[dhermann1]

Didn't have a Bar Mitzvah suit, didn't have a Bar Mitzvah, but I did have a couple of suits that I have fond memories of.
The first was when my family went on our big trip to Europe in 1961. 6 countries in 17 days on the TSS Agamennon. My mom took us to Robert Hall and my brother and I both got nice suits, because we had to wear SUITS to sit at the table on the ship for dinner. (I'll post pics soon, actually). I remember my suit cost exactly $27. It was quite nice as I recall.
The second suit I remember was one my grandmother bought me for high school graduation. I think it was a big deal to her to buy me a graduation suit. Sort of recalling the era when boys finally graduated out of knickers into long pants.
Anyway we went to Matthews and Miller, the nice haberdasher in Jamestown, NY (alas, of course, no longer there.) It was a nice conservative dark glen plaid. And I got a couple of nice VERY narrow ties to go with it.
Needless to say both suits were outgrown within a few years. I have no idea where either of them wound up. But I wish I still had them.
I do still have one of those skinny 1964 ties though. And I'm holding onto it.
And I agree, you look pretty sharp there, lad!

 

[Matt Crunk]

Hey Bruce,
From what you've said, it sounds like you're way overdue to treat yourself to a couple of suits. Even if you rarely have an occasion to wear them (like me), it still feels good to have a few in the closet.

Acquiring one or two needn't break the bank either. Some of my best suits have come from thrift stores and unclaimed baggage outlets where I don't think I've ever given over $100 for one. $20 to $30 has been the norm. What you save on the purchase price allows you plenty of room for professional alterations.

I personally don't need a suit for my occupation, nor do I routinely attend church or other social functions where a suit is, if not required, at least expected. But I'm always the best dressed man at funerals or weddings (sometimes much to the chagrin of the groom), and occasionaly I'll wear one about town just for the heck of it.

Sometimes it just feels good.

 

[chanteuseCarey]

looking good, kid!

Hey bruce, that pic of you at 13 in your suit sure looks snazzy. Makes me think of our almost 13yo son Daniel! I call him a skinny butt kid. Wonderful to see another young one that likes(d) to get dressed up. Not much of that around here these days. I would love to find my Daniel a vintage DB or vintage inspired DB peak lapel suit...

My DH Chuck has never had a suit either, just a couple of nice sport coats. Since the family has hence "gone vintage" he's now got two- and two matching vintage fedoras. Both suits are pinstripe DB 1940s, bought from the same vintage dealer. He has one vintage tie so far for the navy, and 3 vintage ties to go with the brown. As he's never been a "suit kind of guy"- he's really enjoying the vintage ones.

Here's a head shot of him in the first one he got in late Feb 09, the red/brown.

Here he is wearing the second- navy with bright blue pinstriping bought in March- can't make out the colors in this pic well, sorry. That's our skinny butt DS Daniel wearing his vintage WWII USN shirt with him, and he's got on his first vintage (stingy brim) fedora.

 

[Viola]

That Bar Mitzvah suit looked great.

I was fond of my Bat Mitzvah dress and suit (had one for Friday night service and one for Saturday morning) but what I was most excited about was I got my first real pairs of high heels, which at the time felt very momentous.

The sad thing is if I can find them, they might still fit. I was a small Bat Mitzvah too, but I never put on another inch of height after 13 - and the dress I still have from then is too big. lol

 

[Lamplight]

That's a great looking suit, Bruce! I had a couple of different blazers when I was young, but only one suit that I remember. It was a three piece gray suit, and I wish I had appreciated it more at the time.