Show us your friends and family's suits

[J. Brisbin]

Since Matt started the "show us famous people's suits" and we already have the "show us your own suits", I thought it high time for a thread where we post old family photos (or photos of friends) that show off the working man's attire. I'll start with the photo used on the visitation brochure for a wonderful man who died last week and was a long-time member of our church. He was born in 1914 in Arkansas and in pretty poor health by the time I knew him, but when this picture was taken, sometime in the '30s, he was indeed a fine-looking man:

I love that pin-stripe 3pc. he's wearing. With the cock-eyed hat and striped shirt, it's a great look. I would absolutely love to have a suit that sharp.

Here's some of my other favorites (I'll date the ones my sister and I actually have an idea of the date on):

Late 19-teens, early '20s (but with a late 1800's flair):

My grandfather in the late '30s. Monster lapels:

This one dates itself, but proves you can wear a tie anywhere at all (they actually look pretty cool with the lace-up boots):

My great uncle, early '20s:

 

[beaucaillou]

Wow. Thanks for sharing. That first gentleman just oozes style. Really wonderful image. Also, your Grandfather was no style-slouch.

My Grandfather wore denim overalls (with tall style, mind you) everyday so I've got nothin' to share.

 

[J. Brisbin]

My Grandfather wore denim overalls (with tall style, mind you) everyday so I've got nothin' to share.

So did mine ('40s):

There's more pictures like this one than of folks in suits, since my family were Missouri settlers then farmers.

Some of you city folk I'm sure had some dapper grandparents and great-grandparents, no?

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Those are some great pictures.

The guy in the first image has what i consider the absolute perfect suit. The greatest ever produced: the mid-30s 2-button SB notch lapel. Pattern don't matter, the cut of those suits is sublime . . . even the off-the-peg ones.

bk

 

[J. Brisbin]

I thought these two (of the same man, great-great grandfather on my dad's side) were interesting because he's not wearing a tie (though the shirt's top button looks buttoned) or jacket and the vest looks only buttoned on the top button. I like looking at this kind of stuff because it gives you the impression that the clothes are being worn out of necessity and not a lot of attention is given to getting things just exactly right. Just kind of thrown together. No adjusting tie knots all the time and straightening wrinkles and "should I button just one button or both of them?"

I'll still fret over that stuff, but I'm trying to remind myself that, like today, when I wear a tie and jacket, I'm so far beyond what 99% of everyone I meet is wearing, that having my tie a little off to one side is actually not that big a deal and not necessarily a reflection of inattention to detail.