My First Real Vintage Suit

[Mr Mueller]

I have a couple reproduction Victorian suits as well as custom made but this past week I decided I needed a vintage suit to wear to opening night of Finian's Rainbow on Broadway. The show is set in 1947, so I felt it would be appropriate to dress the part.

Found this beautiful piece in one of our local vintage stores. Sadly, out of all our vintage shops here, I had to find this at the overpriced one. Still, I had to have it and really, $195.00 is a steel for vintage in many other cities.

The fabric is approximately 12oz grey wool with a subtle blue pinstripe in it that you can barely see. The pants are pleated and Hollywood waist height. I want to place this late 40s. It has the postwar jacket length, but the lapels are throwing me a bit. I'd love to pinpoint a date on it, but either way, a great find and a great suit.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

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It's a fine suit. The relatively narrow lapels make it look mid to later 1950s.


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[Bugsy]

I have a couple reproduction Victorian suits as well as custom made but this past week I decided I needed a vintage suit to wear to opening night of Finian's Rainbow on Broadway. The show is set in 1947, so I felt it would be appropriate to dress the part.

Found this beautiful piece in one of our local vintage stores. Sadly, out of all our vintage shops here, I had to find this at the overpriced one. Still, I had to have it and really, $195.00 is a steel for vintage in many other cities.

The fabric is approximately 12oz grey wool with a subtle blue pinstripe in it that you can barely see. The pants are pleated and Hollywood waisted. I want to place this late 40s. It has the postwar jacket length, but the lapels are throwing me a bit. I'd love to pinpoint a date on it, but either way, a great find and a great suit.

Very nice indeed.

 

[Chasseur]

Great find and you look sharp in it! Congratulations!

 

[Maguire]

nice suit- the shoes, and tie however, really tip the balance on that suit and give it the vintage look. The suit is nice too though, don't get me wrong :eusa_clap

 

[Mr Mueller]

Thanks! And I realize the suit and tie are from different periods, but they looked good together, and truthfully, I fell in love with both the suit and the tie, so I made them friends.

The shoes I actually picked up in a thrift store for $8 bucks and two-toned them myself with some Angelus Shoe paint.

 

[djgo-cat-go]

Thanks! And I realize the suit and tie are from different periods, but they looked good together, and truthfully, I fell in love with both the suit and the tie, so I made them friends.

The shoes I actually picked up in a thrift store for $8 bucks and two-toned them myself with some Angelus Shoe paint.

I don't really know if it were so because I can't ask him anymore, but I assume my granddad wore 40's ties during the 50's wearing a 50's suit, and 30's shoes for that matter.. It most have been quite common to combine items from different periods back then except if you could afford to be 'fashionable'.. But I'm not an expert on vintage 'style', I like to combine whatever makes a distinctive look. You look great!! nice suit, nice shoes (cool you painted them yourself) and a sweet tie!:eusa_clap

 

[Edward]

I don't really know if it were so because I can't ask him anymore, but I assume my granddad wore 40's ties during the 50's wearing a 50's suit, and 30's shoes for that matter.. It most have been quite common to combine items from different periods back then except if you could afford to be 'fashionable'..

I believe this to be correct, with regards to the average person back then. Same as virtually no-one had a 50s house that was decorated in purely 1950s style or had only 1950s furniture.... Even now, when I think of it, my own flat is mostly 1990s in style, and I moved in there in 2001...

I would bow to Marc's expertise in any case, but with respect to the age of the suit my instinct was also mid 50sish... that point where the lapels had become narrower, if not skinny, and there was still some reasonable body to the trousers - none of the Don Draper 60s skinny-fit. Really looks good, and the tie sets it off wonderfully. I've put my own correspondents away for the Winter now, as of a few weeks ago, but I miss them a bit already - they really help set off a vintage suit.

 

[RM Bantista]

I have a couple reproduction Victorian suits as well as custom made but this past week I decided I needed a vintage suit to wear to opening night of Finian's Rainbow on Broadway. The show is set in 1947, so I felt it would be appropriate to dress the part.

Found this beautiful piece in one of our local vintage stores. Sadly, out of all our vintage shops here, I had to find this at the overpriced one. Still, I had to have it and really, $195.00 is a steel for vintage in many other cities.

The fabric is approximately 12oz grey wool with a subtle blue pinstripe in it that you can barely see. The pants are pleated and Hollywood waisted. I want to place this late 40s. It has the postwar jacket length, but the lapels are throwing me a bit. I'd love to pinpoint a date on it, but either way, a great find and a great suit.

Gentlemen,

Good evening to you.

Probably would love to find such an item myself. Hard to say how well it may fit you as you have not worn either a belt nor braces with the pant and the jacket is unbuttoned; Plus, may I add to a run on sentence, not pressed and no pocket square. Where's your hat? Seems a bit unfinished; though, congratulations on a fine find. And I do like the tie as well. I always mix and match as suits myself and not worry too much about others perception of correct so long as I am confident that my attire is appropriate to the circumstance and gentlemanly in my own mind.

I have been seen to put my hand in my pant pocket while standing casually, but I did have my jacket buttoned. And a hat.

Good fortune on you.

rudy

 

[skyvue]

The shoes I actually picked up in a thrift store for $8 bucks and two-toned them myself with some Angelus Shoe paint.

How about giving us some closeup shots of those shoes? Is that paint permanent? Does it have a gloss to it?

 

[Mr Mueller]

Gentlemen,

Good evening to you.

Probably would love to find such an item myself. Hard to say how well it may fit you as you have not worn either a belt nor braces with the pant and the jacket is unbuttoned; Plus, may I add to a run on sentence, not pressed and no pocket square. Where's your hat? Seems a bit unfinished; though, congratulations on a fine find. And I do like the tie as well. I always mix and match as suits myself and not worry too much about others perception of correct so long as I am confident that my attire is appropriate to the circumstance and gentlemanly in my own mind.

I have been seen to put my hand in my pant pocket while standing casually, but I did have my jacket buttoned. And a hat.

Good fortune on you.

rudy

Hello Rude-y. I AM wearing braces as a matter of fact. The tabs are white leather, so they blend in with the shirt. I also unbuttoned the suit for the picture. The ensemble itself was a bit rushed as I didn't find the suit until 3 days before the function, so the hat didn't come through as I had hoped. Mail order wasn't an option and hat sources have dried up locally. Also, my pocket square went missing somewhere between home, the airport, and the function. Too bad too. I was rather fond of it. Creme silk, pique.

Thanks for taking the time to point out the flaws though. You're a gem.

How about giving us some closeup shots of those shoes? Is that paint permanent? Does it have a gloss to it?

It does have a little sheen to it after you seal it. You can get more with a polish. I did this as kind of a rush job and didn't have the shoe polish on hand to finish it up proper. I did use the acrylic sealer, which I don't like as much as using a neutral show polish. The paint is permanent and does stay on rather well, though you can remove it with acetone if you wish. You can purchase the paint at Manhattan Wardrobe Supply or Amazon.com. You put it on with a brush. Takes several very light layers to build it up properly and not have streaks.

Pic is a little blurry, but should suffice til I have time to take more. Perhaps I'll do a thread on it.

 

[Dr Doran]

It does have a little sheen to it after you seal it. You can get more with a polish. I did this as kind of a rush job and didn't have the shoe polish on hand to finish it up proper. I did use the acrylic sealer, which I don't like as much as using a neutral show polish. The paint is permanent and does stay on rather well, though you can remove it with acetone if you wish. You can purchase the paint at Manhattan Wardrobe Supply or Amazon.com. You put it on with a brush. Takes several very light layers to build it up properly and not have streaks.

Pic is a little blurry, but should suffice til I have time to take more. Perhaps I'll do a thread on it.

Yes, a thread please.

 

[RM Bantista]

Hello Rude-y. I AM wearing braces as a matter of fact. The tabs are white leather, so they blend in with the shirt. I also unbuttoned the suit for the picture. The ensemble itself was a bit rushed as I didn't find the suit until 3 days before the function, so the hat didn't come through as I had hoped. Mail order wasn't an option and hat sources have dried up locally. Also, my pocket square went missing somewhere between home, the airport, and the function. Too bad too. I was rather fond of it. Creme silk, pique.

Thanks for taking the time to point out the flaws though. You're a gem.

Mr. Mueller,

Sorry to have offended you. I do not mean to do so. I think I may see the braces now. The fit of the pant may need a small adjustment.

Too bad about the silk square. I would just substitute a cotton handkerchief in an emergency. I have been fortunate to pick up several squares of various materials and colors recently, in the last couple years. I'm a thrift store shopper mostly.

And I have a lot of hats. Black, brown, grey, burgundy, and straw. Fur felt fedoras. A Homburg. Panama. Westerns of various kinds. Caps. A lot of hats. I have arranged to have alternative choices for several kinds of situation.

Formal wear is beyond my means and need at the moment.

No spectators. I have found several kinds of shoe and boots, but not every kind. I think I did not complain about your effort in that regard.

Oh, and yes, I shine and reflect many unexpected facets...

Peace on you. Like the hair. Be well.

rudy

 

[Mr Mueller]

Unfortunately I was, and still am, away from home, so my accessories were limited to what I could get in a hurry. My personal stash is several hundred miles away, though not quite as extensive as I might like.

Still looking for the perfect fedora though. I'm truly a bowler man myself, but I am looking to branch out.

As far as the shoes go, I'll get on that thread guys.

 

[Dr Doran]

Yes, Mr Mueller, your hair is very nice. A good color, and a good style.

 

[Mr Mueller]

Shoe thread up

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?p=899255#post899255

 

[filfoster]

Suits me

By coincidence, my first vintage suit is dated with an owner's name tag in the right inside pocket, 1947. It's a wonderful double breasted, pleated pants with cuffs, navy with coffee and light tan very thin mixed pinstripe. The fabric is a wonderful substantial, but drapy gabardine. I'd love to have single breasted, vested suit of this era.