The lounge suit

[reetpleat]

VEry post war Hollywood/California. Love the look. thee are pretty hard to come by. Lounge jackets are not so hard to find, but matching pants, another thing altogether.

Early to mid fifties saw more gaberdine two tone, rock and roll looks, but I see this as mor of alter forties look that ws almost a suit, but for the more casual california climate.

I got this on Ebay. I don't know if they are just not sought after, or the seller did not describe it well enough and the buyers did not realize waht it was. But Iwas the only bidder.

the seller did not list size, and while it is a little big, which I would not tolerate in a normal suit, it is a good fit for me in this style.

 

[metropd]

Very nice vinatge casual look.

 

[Jovan]

Very cool!

I'm a little confused though, aren't lounge suits basically what we call "business suits" now? Correct me if I'm wrong of course.

 

[dr greg]

cool

I like the look, it's sort of 50's noir, even though it's daylight.

 

[reetpleat]

Very cool!

I'm a little confused though, aren't lounge suits basically what we call "business suits" now? Correct me if I'm wrong of course.

Well, lounge suit is my own creation I think. The jacket style is called the a lounge jacket, among other things, so I went with it. I suppose the term has no connection to the earlier term. If anyone has a better name for it, let me know.

Hollywood suit might also be appropriate.

I more commonly see this in repros with gaberdine and two tone jackets and matching pants. Very rarely see a matching jacket and pants in this fabric. I snapped it up. Frankly, I did not know the size and figured I could alwasy resell it for a profit if I got it for my bid price. But it fits too well. I might take it in a little in the jacket, but otherwise, it is perfect.

 

[reetpleat]

I like the look, it's sort of 50's noir, even though it's daylight.

I could see Noir. Very much of the second noir era. It makes me think of hollywood and film making.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

That's a great suit! I've been after one for a while, but they're quite rare, as you say.

A picture of Ben Webster wearing a glen plaid version set me off on the hunt, but no luck yet . . . His was a little blousy too.

bk

 

[metropd]

Very cool!

I'm a little confused though, aren't lounge suits basically what we call "business suits" now? Correct me if I'm wrong of course.

Yes, you are right.

 

[metropd]

It looks to be like something out of the very late 40's to early-mid 50's.

When in the 40's is your tie from?

 

[Tomasso]

My father had some Pendleton jackets (circa 40's) which were cut similarly, mostly plaids.

 

[reetpleat]

It looks to be like something out of the very late 40's to early-mid 50's.

When in the 40's is your tie from?

I would guess the tie to be late forties early fifties.

This style of suit or jackt has been around since the 30s but not too common until the late forties and early fifties. I think that the gaberdine versions are alittle more fifties, but in a wool fabric like this seems more forties.

There is a pictue of Elvis wearing a great two tone one with matching pants.

I also have a gaberdien two piece by jakman that is cool,but never looked quite right on me so I have debated keeping it or selling it. I will get some pics and get some opinions. I cn't help but feel like I am wearing pajamas. I also am a little concered people will not "get" it. A sharp pinstripe suit is an unusual look, but people get it and think it is cool. This on the other hand, just seems odd to most I fear.

 

[reetpleat]

That's a great suit! I've been after one for a while, but they're quite rare, as you say.

A picture of Ben Webster wearing a glen plaid version set me off on the hunt, but no luck yet . . . His was a little blousy too.

bk

Not knowing the size, I just bid the opening $50, not expecting to get it. I can't imagine I am the only person out there who would appreciate it.

Heck, I could probably sell the jacket for $75 on ebay, or at least a hundred to aanyone I know in California. So with pants?

the only complaint is the pants have been drycleaned or worn more than the jacket, and they have lost their fuzz a little and are a little darker than the jacket, but it is obvious they are still a pair.

 

[resortes805]

ReetPleat,

Great ebay find!!! Yes, lounge suits are a great name for these outfits, although in department store catalogs they are often just called 'casual suits.' I'll try and scan some images after I'm done grading papers.

There are some pictures of my repro lounge suit floating around this website somewhere, but It's always a thrill when somebody grabs an original. Is the flannel more of a gray or beige?

Also, I would'nt characterize these outfits as business suits at all. Unless you worked for a Hollywood studio, or where a performer or something, these suits were strictly after-work or weekend wear!

Once again...very nice!

 

[reetpleat]

ReetPleat,

Great ebay find!!! Yes, lounge suits are a great name for these outfits, although in department store catalogs they are often just called 'casual suits.' I'll try and scan some images after I'm done grading papers.

There are some pictures of my repro lounge suit floating around this website somewhere, but It's always a thrill when somebody grabs an original. Is the flannel more of a gray or beige?

Also, I would'nt characterize these outfits as business suits at all. Unless you worked for a Hollywood studio, or where a performer or something, these suits were strictly after-work or weekend wear!

Once again...very nice!

The color is kind of an off white, with grayish blue pattern and a rust windowpane over that.

I agree, this would have been casual wear unless you were in a field where you did not have to wear a suit but still wanted to have a good appearance, such as the studio crowd. I can imagine executives, cameramen, actors etc in this. Everynoe else would have had to wait till the the weekend to get out of their suit or work clothes.

I will dig out my jakman suit and take some pics.

 

[surely]

that is one nifty difty Hollywood Leisure Suit

 

[thunderw21]

Nice lounge suit, reetpleat! I love the casual style of it.

Here's a scan of a 'leisure coat' from a 1943 dated catalog in the same style of yours. The first time I saw such a jacket was in photos of Howard Hughes after his flight in the Spruce Goose.

 

[reetpleat]

I hate to admit it, but I guess I am wearing a leisure suit!!!!

 

[Benny Holiday]

Great suit Reetpleat! It looks like a great fit. You're lookin' plenty hep with the belt buckle turned to the side, too!

 

[Feraud]

You look great Reetpleat! :eusa_clap

 

[Matt Deckard]

Geez those pants are high