What about the classic White Suit?

[Dixon Cannon]

Theirs...

-dixon cannon

 

[Dixon Cannon]

The John Lennon 'Abbey Road' white suit -1969

-dixon 'Apple' cannon

 

[reetpleat]

A little late to the party, but since the thread has been revived, i will jump in.

I love white suits or of white. I have had a few go through my hands over the years.

One was an amazing three piece heavy wool flannel single breasted. I sold it toa guy in LA. He was a swing dancer, kind of round guy, and he married a woman from the phillipines about ten years ago and got married in the suit. I think his name was Mark. Used to work for Aaron Spelling. Anyone know him?

While rare, I have seen a few true white suits, one in a rayon, very bright white. The farbic was they type often used in uniforms, kind of a light gaberdine, but it was a regular suit. Although I suppose it could have been an ice cream man or something like that. A few in a stiff light wool, also pretty white. A few others in more of a cream. Then there are the linen and palm beach. And I own a beautiful cream belted back.

From what I have seen, palm beach, when freshly cleaned, is pretty white. Nothing is ever complete white I suppose, but it can be pretty close. OVe rtime it ages into a bit of an off white and still looks ood.

I consider white suits to come in two classes. One is the summer light weight suit that is designed to look a little rumpled, not show the dust too much, and keep you fairly cool. the other, while still light weight, is stiffer and designed to look sharp. They tended to be popular amongst musicians and performers, and also a wedding tradition. Especially in the Philipines. It usd to be pretty much a standard for weddings. Probably also in latin America.

I tend to lean towards the sharp ones rather than a summer day look. I kind of fancy myself as looking like a golden era musician or actor out at the latest Hollywood nightspot.

 

[PADDY]

Reet...just off the plane from Havana!!

I love that suit and the way you look in it. I remember seeing those shots the first time and they are still knock-out my man!! Great style and I could see you in the Andy Garcia movie, LOST CITY about the demise of Cuba in the 50's!! It's hard to top that colonial look. Just need the cigar now!! LOVING IT Living La Dolce Vita eh!

 

[cookie]

"The sun has got his hat on...HIP-HIP-HIP-HOORAAAAY..."

I feel like an extra in The Painted Veil or Out of Africa!! as long as the sun keeps shining!

I had a very rare opportunity for March to delve into my old blanket box and don my 1930's cream linen DB belt back summer suit today.
Stats: Unlined with 6x4 mother of pearl button config. Two front patch pockets with internal ticket holder. Belted back.
Pocket watch/or change holder in my case to the front of the pants. Two back unbuttoned pockets. 1 1/2" cuffs to pants.
I have an old original Plantation Chair in mahogany in the Summer Room which is great to stretch out on like an old colonial watching the birds in the garden.

For Reference:

Shirt: Florence and Fred spear tipped collar shirt (from George of Asda - UK)
Tie: Claret coloured silk.
Socks: Cream and grey Argyles from Wolsey of England.
Shoes: Vintage cream and tans.
Panama: Failsworth Hatters, England.

NEXT ACCESSORY: Been on the lookout for a roundish pair of sunglasses to top it off for the summer. Think I'll have to settle for some John Lennonish ones which look pretty 30'ish, just without the nice wire legs around the ears.

I'm loving those unusual 1950s specs. They are made a little like my mesh ones. The overall look is a corker Padraic!:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[AdmiralTofu]

http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/collections/cushman/full/P02647.jpg

Hope nobody minds, but since a good deal of the discussion has been about the actual color of these suits, I thought I'd go ahead and do a bit of color-correction on the photo that Marc posted back on page 2 in '06...

http://www.tofusplace.net/images/shared/P02647.jpg

 

[reetpleat]

A 1940 COLOR photo of some guys wearing cream suits at a wedding. They could be Palm Beach Cloth, or perhaps a light gabardine:


http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/collections/cushman/full/P02647.jpg


.

Looking closely, I am going to guess neither. Palm beach is fairly distinct in style and texture, and it just doesn't look it. Definitely not linen, or typicla linen.

Gaberdine doesn't seem quite right. It looks like a fabric I have seen a few times in white or off white. It is probably a light wool in a straight horizontal and perpendicular weave, coes off slightly stiff, but fairly light. I don't know the name. But it seems to have been common for white summer suits. I don't recall seeing it any other colors other than tams sometimes. So mostly likely considered a ummer suit fabric.

Sure wish the bright white rayon gberdine was in my size and I kept it. It was bright. I actually matched up the pants and the jacket but it was a perfect match.

I was once in a thrift store and found a white jacket and pants marked separately. the pants did not have a tag. The clerk would not sell them to me. I had to argue and beg and plead for ten minutes, then with the manager as well till they agreed to let me buy them. The store was a long way away so I could nto just come back the next day like they wanted me to.

But in the end, i got them and passed them on to a friend who they fit perfectly. Beautiful white double breasted in a size 42. those are the special pieces you remember.

 

[reetpleat]

Hope nobody minds, but since a good deal of the discussion has been about the actual color of these suits, I thought I'd go ahead and do a bit of color-correction on the photo that Marc posted back on page 2 in '06...

http://www.tofusplace.net/images/shared/P02647.jpg

Looks great. Can't really tell. What did you do?

I suppose someone could argue that these are nt true white as the shirt is obviously a little lighter. But I would call these white.

 

[AdmiralTofu]

Mostly just color balance. Took out the obvious green overtone, and added some blue to give a little life to the flesh tones. I used the woman on the far right's dress as a color guide, guessing (correctly, it would seem) that it was a pure white. Then I did some sharpening to bring out more detail, as the original image is pretty soft. I do it every day for my newspaper job.

-Tofu

 

[thunderw21]

...

Hey reepleat, I remember when you first posted pics of that suit. It is quite nice. Where you able to completely remove those stains?

 

[Fletch]

Wow. You couldn't buy a summer suit today that draped and kept its shape like that.

 

[reetpleat]

Hey reepleat, I remember when you first posted pics of that suit. It is quite nice. Where you able to completely remove those stains?[/QUOTE


Oddly enough, I didn't even have to. I noticed, when I found the pans that the stain was lighter. And a little later, with a little brushing, even lighter still. Just barely there. I hand washed the spots and they are all gone. good cleaning and pressing should have them good as new. What are the odds of a stain coming out like that?

 

[thunderw21]

Hey reepleat, I remember when you first posted pics of that suit. It is quite nice. Where you able to completely remove those stains?[/QUOTE


Oddly enough, I didn't even have to. I noticed, when I found the pans that the stain was lighter. And a little later, with a little brushing, even lighter still. Just barely there. I hand washed the spots and they are all gone. good cleaning and pressing should have them good as new. What are the odds of a stain coming out like that?

Lucky man! I love the break of those trousers.

 

[PADDY]

Casablanca...

Classic look Reet.