Who makes the best repro gab shirts ?

[daddy-o]

While I am at it may as well start a second thread.....
I love gab, just crazy about the ole flap pocket gab shirts. My original collection is slowly diminishing and original 42 chest gab shirts in good nick are harder to come by. I have over the years tried a few modern repros. Here is my experience:
geronimo ( UK) they specialise in clothes for the rockin community. Great styling, slightly more comfortable cut than the originals, reasonable fabric and fairly pricey. She used to make them to your measurements which is a great plus. Great collar that can be worn over a jacket, great service

Da Vinci gab shirt - got this one from daddyo?Ǭ¥s web site. strong fabric, fairly drapey, big but uncomfortable cut ( I know it sounds strange) nice stitching on the collars and pockets, both shirts had to be " put together" properly by a tailor as after a week shirt started to fall apart,, pockets way too low for a good repro, collar cannot be worn over a suit/ sports jacket because of its strange construction, fairly reasonably priced but I would not recommend

Gab shirt from Cad Zoots - got this one on ebay with great " Fly Rite" stitching on pocket ( in honor of Big Sandy and the Fly Rite Boys). Great pointy collar, fabric very close to original, cut very trim and original ( I prefer slightly looser and comfy),very 40?Ǭ¥s looking shirt, expensive but recommended

So anyone else tried any other manufacturers, I know the Japanese make incredible repros and use perfect fabric. Is there anyone else out there who makes good repro gab shirts ????

 

[Flitcraft]

Man, great post, great question.
Would love to find some in XL sizes.
Belly Tank might know.. he's been trying to start a thread like this for awhile.

Most of the "Camp" (for want of a better term) style shirts seem to be silk- ones like those you see the Sopranos characters wearing.
I want something that says "Clark Gable" not "Paisano".

 

[daddy-o]

I agree !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:cheers1:

 

[BellyTank]

...missed this one...

Yes- coming soon but don't hold yer breath. My priorities have changed somewhat- here are other things at the top of my to-do list...

I agree that CadZoots Gab shirts are nice- and expensive.
I'm more of a wool gab shirt fancier-

I find myself a bit more '30s-ish nowadays

B
T

 

[daddy-o]

Hi,

love a lot of 30s stuff as well. Wool gab is great but I just cant wear the stuff
coz it just makes me itch and itch. Shame, had to get rid of lots of pants and all my pendeltons....

 

[kools]

Daddy-o, I'm right there with you, brother. I'm also a size 42 and struggle finding the '40s pointed collar gab shirts. Last week I ordered one from Cad Zoots. This looks like the best option around right now, and a slim fit appeals to me. I told 'em I'll be buying more if I like this one when it arrives.

 

[kools]

Thanks for asking, brother!

You got it right, it's mostly a late '40s look I'm working with. I've been collecting & wearing mostly vintage for about 15 years. I've done a pretty good job of stockpiling certain parts of my wardrobe over the years. I own about 30 suits dating from the early '40s to 1952. My tie collection is about 200, all vintage but for 3 modern ties. Plus a couple late '40s/early '50s sport coats and about 12-15 pants from the same era...and all the other necessities- shirts, wool overcoats (it can get cold in Milwaukee!), gab jackets, etc. I also have a closetful of hats, but don't wear 'em as much as I used to. Most are probably fairly modern...1960s, maybe. My best might be an older Champ Dash I found at an estate sale new in the box for $2!!!

So yeah, I do wear vintage every day...but not always all day. In real life now I am a high school teacher & jump blues musician, so I've got no problem pulling off the '40s thing there. In fact, all my primary influences came from my old album covers...Jimmy Liggins, Louis Jordan, early King Cole, etc... But I also used to be a pro soccer player & now do a lot of coaching, so I am in soccer clothes regularly...but I always coaches matches wearing a vintage suit on the sidelines.

Sorry for the hijacking...I'd love to hear more about gab shirts. All of mine are 1950s, and I'm really looking to get more with a '40s style collar. That's why the Cad Zoots shirts appeal to me. I'll pay for 'em if they're worth it.

 

[resortes805]

I like Cad Zoots, but what threw me off was that their sizes are modern. I wear a vintage medium-large, but my shirts from Cad fit at size "small." Geronimo also make some nice repro gab shirts, but theirs are styled more 50's.

 

[flat-top]

I like Cad Zoots, but what threw me off was that their sizes are modern. I wear a vintage medium-large, but my shirts from Cad fit at size "small." Geronimo also make some nice repro gab shirts, but theirs are styled more 50's.

The Geronimo stuff is really, for my money, the BEST repros I've ever seen (well, maybe next to the Japanese stuff). And it does indeed have the "correct" fit. They are a husband and wife team from the UK and are almost impossible to get ahold of. They usually have a booth at Viva Las Vegas, but last year they didn't show. I was crushed! And if you ever see their repro shoes, GRAB them, because they are no longer being made.
flat-top

 

[kools]

Resortes805...You've got me concerned about size. Before I ordered from CadZoots, I emailed him and told him I was worried about sizing. I told him my dress shirts are 16 1/2 34/35 & I wear a size 42 coat. He told me to go with a large and that sizes run true!

 

[resortes805]

Resortes805...You've got me concerned about size. Before I ordered from CadZoots, I emailed him and told him I was worried about sizing. I told him my dress shirts are 16 1/2 34/35 & I wear a size 42 coat. He told me to go with a large and that sizes run true!

No, you should be fine with a size L and Cad's sizes DO run true. It's just that I'm used to wearing a large when it comes to vintage sizes.

 

[daddy-o]

Howdy Kools, well did you get your cad zoots shirt and are ya happy with it ???
To pick up on the thread about Geronimo : Jane from Geronimo does make some very fine 50s repros and yes they are definately 50s style. The only thing that lets her shirts and jackets down is the varying quality of material. While I find the Cad Zoots shirt very close to 40´s gab , Geronimo shirts do differ a lot because of the material. And this is definately NOT a criticism as it is incredibly difficult to find PROPER 40s and 50s gab or rayon. Over the years there was only one "modern" shirt where I honestly could not tell if it was vintage or not. And this shirt if I remember well was a japanese DRY BONES shirt.

 

[kools]

Got your PM Daddy-O, but I'll post here too.

I like the Cad Zoots okay. The gab is nice and the collar is pretty good for a '40s style. As for the fit, I really wish the shirt was more fitted. The body and the arms are really puffy. The neck fits and the sleeves fit fine. Maybe a medium would work better for me?

I did find a nearly identical vintage shirt in a local shop a few days after I ordered the Cad Zoots...same color (camel). I like the vintage one better. That said, I will likely order another one some time. I like the color selections they offer, and I don't know of another '40s style option.

I did find a creme colored '40s rayon shirt for $60 today in a shop. I left it there, however, because I'm broke until the end of the month. I hope it's still there next week.

 

[resortes805]

oops

I totally forgot about Swanky's Vintage in Norwalk CA, they have tons of designs and are pretty affordable, they made the shirt in this pic. . .

Their website is www.SWANKYSVINTAGE.COM

 

[resortes805]

I'd like to humbly add DL Cerney in New York to this list. I just got back from New York yesterday and had a chance to visit the shop this past weekend. I splurged on a two-tone pink and black gab shirt (will post pic soon) and will surely starve for at least a week. It was worth it though.

 

[MudInYerEye]

Cerney's makes really excellent stuff and have been at it for a LONG time.