The Fedora Lounge Guide to Esquire Men's Fashion, 1933-1948, By Flanderian

[Flanderian]

These are Esquire's illustrations for October 1939.

 

[Flanderian]

These are the Esquire illustrations for November 1939.

 

[Flanderian]

This is the balance of November 1939.

 

[Flanderian]

These are Esquire's sartorial illustrations for December 1939. Apologies for the puny offering, but it's all they had.

 

[Flanderian]

These are Esquire's January 1940 illustrations. Another tiny lot. Arnie must be off on a toot.

 

[Flanderian]

These are the Esquire illustrations for February 1940. The winds of change are blowing.

 

[Flanderian]

These are Esquire's illustrations for March 1940.

 

[Flanderian]

These are the illustrations for Esquire, April 1940.

 

[Flanderian]

The balance of April 1940.

 

[Flanderian]

These are the illustrations for May 1945.

 

[Flanderian]

The balance of May 1945.

 

[Flanderian]

These are Esquire's illustrations for June 1940.

The illustration below is either the beginning, or near it, of Esquire using live models to illustrate the clothing they discuss. Sometimes done well, but as we shall see, not always. And it least to my eye, lacking the dramatic impact of the better drawings, and of the artist's eye to amend reality to something closer to the ideal.

 

[Flanderian]

These are the Esquire illustrations from July 1940.

 

[Flanderian]

Here are the illustrations for August 1940. Not my favorite batch, but it's what they decided to publish. Coming years soon bring many changes, but gems can still be found among them. The last page, Colors Made Easy, offering sartorial how-to tips became an increasing focus of the editorial content. I also assume it was a favorite among readers, and the original model for such advice which can now be found on the Internet, in books, etc.

 

[Flanderian]

These are the Esquire illustrations for September 1940.

 

[Flanderian]

Here are October 1940's Esquire illustrations.

 

[Flanderian]

November 1940's Esquire illustrations.

 

[Flanderian]

We briefly interrupt this cavalcade of on-topic vintage Esquire illustrations with a photo which was not included among those published by Esquire, but which would have been a worthy addition; the esteemable Gary Cooper wearing well a double-barreled tweed sporting suit.

 

[Flanderian]

These are Esquire's illustrations for December 1940.

 

[Flanderian]

These are Esquire's January 1941 illustrations.