The Bold Look - a Contemporary Poke

[Sunny]

This is my first venture into the Suits forum, but I've got something to share that I hope y'all will find enjoyable.

I'm used to reenacting the American Civil War. In that period, documentation of what real people actually wore is kind of hard to find. My favorite sources are descriptions from period stories and novels, since they're far more realistic than fashion drawings. And unlike photos, they describe color!

So always when I'm reading or listening to something, even from a different era, I'm attuned for little details of clothing. My favorite Old Time Radio series, "Richard Diamond," has a couple descriptions of the Bold Look.

Richard Diamond, a private detective in New York City, is played by Dick Powell. Here's a partial transcription, for your reading enjoyment:


DIAMOND: Hello there, this is Diamond. If you happen to wake up some morning and spot something walking in front of your house and it looks like Santa Claus with jaundice, don't turn the hose on him, he's not on fire. He's just wearing the newest thing in men's fashions.

They call it the Bold Look, and it's supposed to be the masculine answer to Dior's New Look for women. It's an answer, all right. Like walking up to your best girlfriend and slicing her down the middle with a broadsword.

Now, if you haven't see it yet, just close your eyes and try and picture yourself in the Bold Look. Imagine, walking down 5th Avenue, very casual, decked out in a new bright purple non-shrinking suit, pastel shirt, yellow maybe, hand-painted tie, and argyle socks.

Got it? What do you think? Pretty bad. About the only thing I can think of that's more gruesome is that little murder I got mixed up in last week...


Richard Diamond, Private Detective
"Mrs. William Baker, Klepto"
Aired September3, 1949

There's more Bold Look mocking later, but I'd have to set the scene a little since it's not pure monologue. If anyone's interested, just let me know.

Incidentally, "Richard Diamond" is written by Blake Edwards of later Pink Panther fame.

 

[Happy Stroller]

Fantastic concept, keep it up!

 

[Sefton]

I thought that the "bold look" was more about the shape of the suit;wider padded shoulders, narrow towards the waist and with a drape in the trousers. What's described in the radio script sounds more like the "gaudy look" Pretty funny though. Thanks for the post!

 

[Sunny]

I thought that the "bold look" was more about the shape of the suit;wider padded shoulders, narrow towards the waist and with a drape in the trousers. What's described in the radio script sounds more like the "gaudy look"

That's part of what intrigues me about contemporary fashion references. It's hard to tell how much is satire/exaggeration and how much is genuine critique. Like the old Punch cartoons that show hoopskirts literally twelve feet wide! lol From the tone of the show in general, I'd say the description is more of a fun poke than a serious criticism. Besides, I understand that the New Look itself caught a bit of flak before it caught on.

I'll transcribe the rest from this show, hopefully later this morning. Glad to bring a laugh!

 

[Sunny]

Well, 6 days late is better than never.

Setting the scene: Diamond's girlfriend is wealthy Park Avenue denizen Helen Asher. Helen has been searching for a present to give her English butler Francis for his birthday. Diamond and Helen are at a department store when Diamond gets involved in a mystery. After solving a murder, Diamond rejoins Helen at her apartment:

Diamond: By the way, what did you finally get for Francis?
Helen: Oh, I got him something in the newest fashion. It's called the Bold Look.
Diamond: What?
Helen: It was pretty ghastly, but he loved it.
Diamond: Oh. [pause] Tell me what you got him.
Helen: Oh, well, a purple suit -
Diamond: Non-shrinkable.
Helen: Yes, how did you know?
Diamond: Uh, it figured. Go on.
Helen: A green shirt, one of those hand-painted ties... Rick, where are you going?
Diamond: [martyr-like] Oh, I can't stand it. [piano music]
Diamond plays and sings "Younger Than Springtime" from South Pacific, then breaks off abruptly mid-line.
Diamond: Hey, what's that?
Helen: What?
Diamond: That, standing in the corner?
Helen: Oh, Francis! That's Francis, Rick!
Diamond: What are the odds?
Francis: Oh, yes, sir, it's me.
Helen: Now, Rick, be careful what you say. That's the new Bold Look.
Diamond: Well, turn it off, it's getting bilious.
Francis: Don't you like it, sir?
Helen: Now, Rick.
Diamond: Hmm? Oh, well uh uh Francis, I uh, I think it's, uh... [pause] Yes, it certainly is.
Francis: [laughing] I think it's rather gay, don't you, sir?
Diamond: [dolefully] The gayest.
Francis: Oh, my goodness, I forgot something.
Diamond: Does it look like a stomach pump?
Helen: Forgot something?
Francis: Yes, miss. The outfit wouldn't be complete without them.
Diamond: Well, hurry up, I'm going to black out any minute.
Helen: What did you forget, Francis?
Francis: The spats.
Diamond: [appalled] Spats?!
Francis: Yes, sir. Seersucker spats. And they were lovely!


lol

 

[Sunny]

If anyone likes reading these...


Should I keep starting a new thread for each?
Should I start a catch-all thread?
Should they be each in the appropriate sub-forum, or just General Attire?
Any combination of the above?

Any input welcomed.