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The BEST 1930s Suit Ever?

Marc Chevalier

Gone Home
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18,192
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Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California
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Let me explain. When I say "the best", I mean the best '30s suit for a particular man's body shape, posture, and even persona. I've never seen a 1930s suit look better than the one on the fellow below.

The man's name is Robert Bryan: he's a menswear writer for the New York Times. Mr. Bryan bought this suit at a flea market in Hershey, PA for $45. Inside the breast pocket is a label that says "Witty Brothers, New York", with a handwritten date of 11/26/1933.

The suit is pre-drape; its proportions are absolutely ideal for Mr. Bryan's shape. If your body resembles his, then I urge you to look for this kind of suit -- or have a faithful copy of it made.




Janine004.jpg



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Marc Chevalier

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Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California
He sure is.


The cut of a suit is by far its most important quality: a suit with cheap fabric but a great cut looks better than a suit with wonderful fabric but a bad cut.


Furthermore, wearers need to learn what cut looks best on them. Take Frank Sinatra: as a skinny young singer, he looked even scrawnier in his big, shouldered, big lapelled jackets and baggy pants. Then, as an older, still slim singer, Sinatra switched to narrower lapels and closer-fitting suits. (The "continental style", as it was called.) This looked MUCH better on him.



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Matt Deckard

Man of Action
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10,045
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A devout capitalist in Los Angeles CA.
Thanks for scanning in that pic. I never got around to it, thoughy all should know that buying a copy of Menswear magazine is going to be a good thing.

It's very much like the Suit Root got off Ebay... thoguh Roots is a three piece and it as well fits him to a tee.

That's the way Ralph Lauren shoudl make trousers.
 

Marc Chevalier

Gone Home
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18,192
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Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California
Matt Deckard said:
...all should know that buying a copy of Menswear magazine is going to be a good thing.

Matt, wise words. MENSWEAR is a kinda-sorta trade magazine (quarterly) that's been around for decades. In many ways, it's considerably better than GQ. Believe it or not, you can apply for a free subscription to it!

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Yes, that is a fine suit. He even has the arms the requisite length (ie. SHORT). I am fortunate enough to have 2 (TWO) suits that fit me like they should - like his does. The rest have minor imperfections that i can overlook, but bother me all the same.

Marc Chevalier said:
The cut of a suit is by far its most important quality: a suit with cheap fabric but a great cut looks better than a suit with wonderful fabric but a bad cut.

The bain of the menswear industry today is the obsession with fabric. It don't matter if it's cashmere: Cut it like a sack and it'll look like a sack ...

bk
 

Briscoeteque

One of the Regulars
Messages
224
Location
Lewiston, Maine
That's a sharp suit, no doubt. This early 30's style looks much different to me than the later 30's stuff. This one looks almost 20's, with its narrower lapels and closer fitted jacket. I'd love a suit just like this one, especially for 45 dollars!
 

jake_fink

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,279
Location
Taranna
He must have a good tailor to help that suit fit him like that. The trousers are perfect, with just that tiny, almost indiscernible little break. He could almost be a Fellowes illustration, he just needs a mustache.
 

Tomasso

Incurably Addicted
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13,719
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USA
Marc Chevalier said:
The cut of a suit is by far its most important quality: a suit with cheap fabric but a great cut looks better than a suit with wonderful fabric but a bad cut. Furthermore, wearers need to learn what cut looks best on them.
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0008-0408-0708-0736_SM.jpg
 

Robert Conway

A-List Customer
Messages
324
Location
Here and there...
That is an amazing piece and like you said, not only does it fit his body type and build to a T, but also compliments his personality. He look at home and comfortable in it.
 

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