The BEST 1930s Suit Ever?

[Baron Kurtz]

you're on the lookout for DBs these days, hez? I knew you'd come round in the end.

bk

 

[herringbonekid]

actually no. i want the SB version of this suit. but i didn't want to sound picky.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

but i didn't want to sound picky.

Me: three piece SB is all i'm interested in these days. If i can get something else for cheap, i'll take it, but i'm now the epitome of pickiness ...

bk

 

[herringbonekid]

i'm sure i've said it before... i think DBs look great on many people but they just don't seem to work on me. i think it might be the added air of formality about them. makes me feel too much like a businessman (conotations like that are difficult to get over). there's also a compositional thing which i've never heard anyone else mention and is potentially controversial (if not ground-shaking) but i think i'd better do a whole post about it.

(you can tell i've got big issues with the DB).

 

[Mojave Jack]

.


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.

.

Not to be too dense, but how do you know what will look good on you? Is there some kind of guide or recomendations for suit types? I admit to not having a clue what I look good in (if anything) or would look good in, nor do I really even know where to start. [huh] The same goes for brim widths, hat heighth, and so on. I have no idea what looks good with particular hair lengths, head shapes (or lack thereof), height, etc.

 

[herringbonekid]

Not to be too dense, but how do you know what will look good on you? Is there some kind of guide or recomendations for suit types? I admit to not having a clue what I look good in (if anything) or would look good in, nor do I really even know where to start. [huh] The same goes for brim widths, hat heighth, and so on. I have no idea what looks good with particular hair lengths, head shapes (or lack thereof), height, etc.

there are whole books written about this subject. Alan Flussers's 'Dressing the Man' is a good starting point. trial and error is the usual way to begin. but there are basic rules: if you're slight don't drown yourself in oversize clothing. if you're tall watch out for things that make you look top heavy. learning what colours complement your natural hair and skin colouration. how to draw attention to your face with shirt collar/tie/lapel combinations that enhance your facial shape. that sort of thing.

 

[Wild Root]

We all have our tastes... we know what we like best and for my personal taste, I love DB's... I can wear them to look dressy or not so dressy... it really depends on the color.

The DB styled suit was all the rage in the 30's to the early 40's. I find it my favorite look... I love SB's very much but, when I want to look and feel 1930's or 40's, I'll put on one of my DB's and then, I'm it!

Herringbone, stick to what you like but, if you find a nice DB suit for a nice price and in your size, pick it up and give it a shot... and post it here! If you get nothing but negative feed back, I'm sure you can find another member here who will like to buy it off of ya!

=WR=

PS. Must be nice to be picky!

 

[herringbonekid]

Root you look great in DBs !
the only time i was nearly converted was a photo of Havershaw, who is my sort of size, in what he described as a paper thin brown one (this was ages ago) He pulled it off so well it made me want to try it.

 

[Wild Root]

Why thank you sir!

Say, I recall that suit... I even saw it in person I think... it's a great suit! The thing I have a hard time swallowing is when some say smaller men shouldn't wear DB's especially when most of them I find are 36-40 reg or short.

Herringbone, I'm sure you could rock the look if you found one that fit you right, the look isn't hard to pull off if the desire is there... it takes confidence in anything.

Your friend,
=WR=

 

[herringbonekid]

this is the suit i was talking about........

http://thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=991

(funny, if you read the comments it seems Havershaw was overcoming his own fear of DBs)

 

[Wild Root]

Well, that was a blast from the past! I do remember seeing that suit in person... he wore it to a dinner on the QM once... it's a very nice suit! I know Havershaw and before he bought those suits, he wore mostly just casual 40's and 50's clothes... soon as he got that suit, he was hooked! I remember talking to him about suits and now he wears them all the time... single and double! They're all great!

Best,
=WR=

 

[nightandthecity]

wonderful suit. I love early/mid 30s design. I have a very similar DB I'd date to mid thirties, in a gorgeous heavy dark blue hopsack. Made by a small tailor in Hull (which reminds me, one leg is too long: memo, take it up before next wearing!)

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Newer Loungers should see the suit in this thread's first post.

.

 

[skyvue]

The man's name is Robert Bryan: he's a menswear writer for the New York Times.

I'm not certain, but I think the guy in the original post is a regular at Film Forum. He almost always dresses a bit vintage, as do I, and I saw him last week at the vintage fashion show here in town.

 

[Chad Sanborn]

The entire outfit is amazing! I would just love to have a pair of trousers made that way. What do you figure is the width at the cuff?

.


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.

.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

What do you figure is the width at the cuff?

Probably about 10 inches, maybe 9 1/2 inches.


.

 

[Feraud]

I have to say the suit in the photo fits the wearer extremely well.
The entire look is simple but so elegant.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Agreed. Some might say that the jacket should be slightly shorter, but I think it's a matter of personal preference.

.

 

[Forgotten Man]

Beautiful suit, he wears it well... however, he needs to ditch that lousy spread collar!:eusa_doh:

 

[thunderw21]

The trousers are sooooo long. Wonderfully so.