Region.

[funneman]

I've been wondering a lot recently about how big a part "region" played in wardrobe choices during the golden era.

I've spent most of my life in South Florida and I remember seeing lots of men with fedoras and panamas and ties and shirtsleeves but very few in suits, jackets and sportcoats. I'm thinking due to the heat. Most of the men I remember as I was a child lived in agricultural areas.

While I really admire the three-piece suit look, I could only get away with it once or twice a year down here.

I've had a lot of fun recently wearing white shirts, vintage ties, black wingtips and dark blue Levi's. This is a look that brings back a lot of memories.

I'm wondering if anyone in the lounge has an opinion or would care to eleborate.

 

[Fletch]

FWIW:

I associate the belted, pleated, bellows, or action back coat with the west coast, particularly California, altho they were worn all over.

The Northeast for many years was less accepting of light summer colors or fabrics than other areas, particularly the Midwest and South. Seersucker in particular was only worn in the hottest and most humid climates because it wrinkled so easily.

Before WW2, resort or leisure clothing of any kind was pretty much limited to well-to-do people in the Northeast, California, and Florida. It was also fairly uncommon at that time for the average man to own an "odd" jacket like a tweed or blazer. These were mostly seen on upper-class types, particularly Ivy Leaguers or those who wished to look like them.

I've owned a couple of Canadian-made suits from the 30s with basically British tailoring, including the high-backed trousers that curve up toward the brace points. I don't think this was nearly so common in the US.

 

[funneman]

Thanks Fletch!

This is exactly what I was talking about.

I remember as a kid hating Florida, because I could never wear those great looking winter clothes that I saw everyone wearing in the movies.

Last winter we went to New Jersey and Pennsylvania and I was thrilled to be able to wear a full length, double-breasted heavy winter coat with my grey Stetson.

I got a lot of nice comments. A Hansom Cab driver yelled out "Hey, you look like you just stepped out of the 1940s."

It made the whole trip.