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Show us their suits

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17,215
Location
New York City
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Gary Cooper
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I believe that is a still from his movie with Shirley Temple "Now and Forever." I saw that movie this year on TCM and that suit is incredible. It doesn't hurt that it is perfectly tailored and worn by Gary Cooper (and not, for example, moi).
 

Michael A

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,287
I believe that is a still from his movie with Shirley Temple "Now and Forever." I saw that movie this year on TCM and that suit is incredible. It doesn't hurt that it is perfectly tailored and worn by Gary Cooper (and not, for example, moi).
That is certainly one fine suit he has on there. Early '30s skinny cut I take it.

I really need one like this with the double bellows breast pockets.
Gary again,
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Michael
 

Benproof

A-List Customer
Messages
350
Location
England
Not sure...but as an actor of the silent age of film, he looks like the younger brother of Joan Collins a la shoulder pad era from the 1980's t.v. series of JR Ewing's "Dynasty" in that double breasted.

I love the suit style of Rudolph Valentino (no idea who he is though) from Michael A above - the suit is complex, much like the double breasted clutter of Farrell's suit,but doesn't appear cluttered: it has flap pockets (4!) and epaulettes and works well as a 3 piece suit, compared to Farrell's ?2 piece DB with too many buttons studded all over the front!

Just my take on it - I thought I'd like the 1920's DB style more, but the tweed styles above are really very handsome. The hands are placed in the trouser pockets, creating a beautiful jacket flank drape. Farrell places his hand in the pocket of the jacket which looks rather awkward - the pocket designs of the DB might have been for hands, but the tweed single suit of Valentino is designed for holding things with proper closure flaps: that's the way jacket pockets should be!
 

Jaxenro

One of the Regulars
Messages
254
I don’t know what’s wrong but he should take his hand out of his suit pocket. Pants pocket is one thing suit pockets are for show
 

Benproof

A-List Customer
Messages
350
Location
England
Tennessee Williams
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Michael


What an amazing artist. I had no idea what he looked like. His suit seems to have at least inch wide stripes but just look at that cut!

He looks more cool and hip than the hipsters who've come over 80 years after him!

Now I understand why shirts were created with such spread collars - Tennessee really wears it with panache: wide spread shirt collars complementing the jacket lapel folds with the jacket buttoned up close crop to his torso, hands on the floor, confirming his down to earth humanity.

What an incredible photograph by the photographer.

Thanks for sharing - I always thought he was some old Victorian preacher beard guy lol! Now I know he was more hip than I'll ever be!
 

Benproof

A-List Customer
Messages
350
Location
England
Jimmy Stewart
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I think I'd sell a kidney for a couple of these old tweed suits.

Michael

I wouldn't mind buying the tweed suit off you after you've parted with the kidney :)

Handsome suit again: the breast pocket has a near chore design - look at the stitching detail! His pleated trousers and waistcoat falling just within the seams of the pleats is very elegant: I bet he even has a fishtail rear to mirror the fish tail mouth of the waistcoat. The film set designers really knew how to suit their actors then. The fit is just marvellous. What is surprising for me, is the large lapels though! It looks like the oversized lapels of an overcoat, matching the spearmint collar.

Contemporary tweed suits can only aspire to look this timeless.
 

Benproof

A-List Customer
Messages
350
Location
England
That is certainly one fine suit he has on there. Early '30s skinny cut I take it.

I really need one like this with the double bellows breast pockets.
Gary again,
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Michael

Okkkk I confess this is the least favourite of the 3 woollen fabric suits I've commented on - title of the gangsta look gives it away :)

Firstly, he must have some awful boogers in a handkerchief that size in his breast pocket. The breast pocket with the darting is a great detail - as is the full length 6 buttoned waistcoat. Love the checked fabric too.

So why doesn't it work?

Is it the wide banded fedora, faintly trying to match the tie? Or that non-working cuff, slipping his shirt sleeve under his jacket as he tries to act cool posin with a pistol? No.... not these. Neither help though.

I think it's the fact that his blazer is hanging lop-sided off him tilting down to the right with the left lapel drooping forward. If he can't point a gun and wear his blazer symmetrically, it just doesn't hang together convincingly. Nice try though :)
 

Jaxenro

One of the Regulars
Messages
254
Plus his ties off center

He can get away with buttoning the bottom button if he gets his hand out of his pocket

There is a reason they sometimes baste these closed
 

Patrick Hall

Practically Family
Messages
541
Location
Houston, TX
Y'all are nuts about pockets. I use the pockets of my suit-coats all the time. I keep things in 'em - pens, sunglasses, and especially my hands. I especially do that with vintage suits that have no vent, making the trouser pockets a bugger to reach when you are looking for an easy place to stow your hands. I think suits are improved by coat pockets that are a bit bagged out, maybe one flap in and one flap out by happenstance - like you aren't wearing the thing for show.
 

Mathematicus

A-List Customer
Messages
379
Location
Coventry, UK
I absolutely agree with Patrick. Coat's pockets are made to be used, and indeed they were widely used since not so much time ago - the proof is the small bag sewn inside the right pocket, which was intended to store coins or keys.

Being not a fan of sprezzatura (studying up the look to appear that the outfit is not studied!) I don't agree with the statement about keeping only one flap inside, but I definitely don't scream if I see a pocket slightly sagged because of use: it is not a trophy, but an utility piece.
 

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