Recent acquisition

[lw36]

Hi all,

I got this suit from a local vintage store the other day. Nice blue/grey double breasted with Hollywood waist on the pants. The fabric is a good medium-heavy weight and has a really nice drape to it. I'm wondering if you guys can help me put a date on it? No labels except the one pictured. I'm thinking early '50s judging by a few factors. Thanks!

 

[resortes805]

Great suit! Yup, early '50s if not 1940s. Are you keeping it for yourself?

 

[lw36]

Thanks! Yep, I think so. I may need to extend the sleeves a bit (not an issue as there is plenty of fabric to do so), but it should make for a nice breezy addition to my wardrobe.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Nice one. It's always fun when these turn up in thrift stores …

bk

 

[skyvue]

He said it was a vintage store, actually, though for his sake, I hope he meant a thrift store (that would mean he saved a few bucks).

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Ah yes, my bad.

 

[Guttersnipe]

lw36, I don't mean to be a wet blanket -- because that's a really great suit -- but the coat is way, way too short for you.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

didn't notice that, somehow. But yes, even letting down the scant hem allowance, that jacket'll always be too short..

 

[lw36]

It actually meets two of the three criteria for determining length--fully covering the seat of my pants and dividing my height in half from the top of the collar to the floor. For it to meet the third is rendered impossible by the fact that I have extraordinarily long arms, so much so in fact that it would be absolutely preposterous for any jacket to be that long. A similar compromise on length is necessary and present in all my other suits as well.

 

[Guttersnipe]

It actually meets two of the three criteria for determining length--fully covering the seat of my pants and dividing my height in half from the top of the collar to the floor. For it to meet the third is rendered impossible by the fact that I have extraordinarily long arms, so much so in fact that it would be absolutely preposterous for any jacket to be that long. A similar compromise on length is necessary and present in all my other suits as well.

You're in good company then, because Jimmy Stewart had the same problem; a long, thin frame with very lanky arms.

That said, you cannot discount button stance from the equation. The button stance on this suit does sit too high for you. In doing so, it creates an illusion that your upper body is much shorter than it actually is and accentuates your long arms. My advice would be to have the jacket pressed into one with a "long rolled lapels," also known as a "six-on-one." This will make you torso look longer and balance you long arms. Also, long rolled lapels were super popular before/during WWII.

Here's some Jimmy to inspire:

Note the low button stance, which makes him look less like a human noodle.

 

[jon11]

Great looking suit