White tie and tails! [Archive]

Wild Root

05-30-2005, 02:31 PM

Ok, here are the photos of my tails I made mention of months earlier.

I finaly found a vest that works perfect with this set up! So, I just wanted to try out this whole outfit and I took some photos. They aren't that clear so, I aged them and they look very 30's! Even though the set of tails is really from 1948.

Any way, enjoy!

I'll post some color ones if any one wants me too.

Root.

http://img253.echo.cx/img253/783/tophat7ef.jpg

http://img253.echo.cx/img253/5749/tails4mf.jpg

BellyTank

05-30-2005, 03:31 PM

Hey Root, nice Tux ;) he-he he-he-he-he-he
B
T

05-30-2005, 04:57 PM

What occasions do you have to wear it?

Wild Root

05-30-2005, 05:53 PM

Well, there is the Sea Side Ball this weekend. It's going to be a night in the 1920's! I was thinking of wearing it to that but I haven't made my mind up yet.

It's always good to have a good set of formal wear! You never know when it may come in handy. I like to wear formals when ever I can so, we'll see what happens.

By the way, I wouldn't wear this to a "Black Tie" event. Black tie is to be worn to a black tie event. White tie is for white tie events which hardly ever happen these days. Well, over here any way.

Root.

PS. BT, Tux you say.... HAHAHAHAHAH Cheers! :cheers1:

Matt Deckard

05-30-2005, 06:08 PM

sharp.... very sharp

jamespowers

05-30-2005, 09:22 PM

Not bad at all. Did you tie that tie yourself? :p

Regards to all,

J

The Wolf

05-30-2005, 10:42 PM

It's not only good for white tie occasions but stage magic as well.
If you were Mandrake the Magician however, it would be appropriate to wear everywhere. Just like the fez and leopard skin were the perfect around-town look for Lothar.

The Wolf

Wild Root

05-31-2005, 12:20 AM

I sure did! Wouldn't wear anything but a REAL bowtie with that. :cheers1:

The only magic I know is how to find vintage clothes. :p and the real trick is to find them in my size.

Root.

android

05-31-2005, 05:16 PM

In the US, unless you're going to some $5000 per plate political fundraiser or maybe an "Eyes Wide Shut" party, everything is pretty much black tie.

One game brides like to play is to invite black tie and then have the wedding party wear white tie (polyester, rented) so they can be more special.

Vladimir Berkov

05-31-2005, 06:55 PM

You could wear it to an inaugural ball!

Is that the white vest you were looking at at the Pasadena aardvarks? I can't remember if you bought it or not.

jamespowers

05-31-2005, 11:21 PM

In the US, unless you're going to some $5000 per plate political fundraiser...., everything is pretty much black tie.

Trust me, those are not white tie either. Such dress at that event would make you stick out like a sore thumb. You are lucky if people show up in presentable suits. :p

Regards to all,

J

Canyon

06-05-2005, 08:55 AM

Looks fantastic! ;)

Matt Deckard

06-06-2005, 07:43 AM

He wore it Saturday to the Seaside ball. Stood out like Mr. Peanut. Looked really cool.

Matt Deckard

07-13-2005, 11:40 AM

We'll bring back tails yet my boy. My kit is almost together.

jamespowers

07-13-2005, 12:19 PM

I still need to get a line on the white vest to finish mine. I think I have a source though.

Regards to all,

J

Ed Driscoll

07-13-2005, 12:34 PM

Wild Root

07-13-2005, 04:16 PM

It was the lighting. I just stood in the right place where the light from the lamp would hit it right.

Root.

IndianaGuybrush

07-13-2005, 04:58 PM

This reminds me, I had meant to post a picture to my little sister's and brother's birthday party back in April. We had it at the Jekyl and Hyde club here in NY and made it a Victorean/Edwardian themed costume party.

http://www.columbia.edu/~epl2108/victorean-all.jpg

The tails were a set I got on eBay and I think they're from the 30s. The pants that came with them were too tight so i substituted some modern pants I have, but hey, it was a costume. The vest I'm wearing is a black grosgrain vest front that I'm sure is as old as the hills. It has the original bakelite buttons on it. The Topper is an old Knox with a gorgeous beaver felt finish.

shamus

07-13-2005, 05:28 PM

Vladimir Berkov

07-13-2005, 05:33 PM

They did have electric plugs in the 40s you know...

Wild Root

07-13-2005, 05:45 PM

On the photograph, I'd loose the door with the modern blinds on it and the electric plug. Pick a window or door with wide base board and try to have something "period" in the background to make it really authentic looking...

The lighting is great. The suit is great too. Are the sleeves from that time short? or are your's needing let out a bit?

Shamus

Ok, here is the skinny. It would be nice to be rich and live in a large 20's or 30's home with lots of bare walls. I live in a small 20's home where bare walls are no wear. I just wanted to show off the tails I have. Yes, they wore their sleeves a little on the short side to show off cuff! Not all men did that, but it wasn't uncommon.

And for the record, if you're going to get vintage technical on me, it's not a suit... it's a set of TAILS!

Oh, and lets see some of YOUR period perfect photos if you want to show me up.

Root.

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/4237/1121220imgcopy9xt.jpg

shamus

07-13-2005, 06:00 PM

hold on there big guy...

I ment no disrespect...

I thought the photos looked great thats why I made the suggestions. Because they looked so great to make them look like they were real!

I honestly don't didn't know about the sleeve length... I was only asking.

Yes I know they had electric back in 1940. And a man with a set of tails would have it in 1930 too... The plugs are different shaped as are the wires. I'd just loose as to not draw the eye to it.

I don't have any photos of me because I'm the one taking them.

I thought your photos were very nice. I'll stop making suggestions.

Shamus

Wild Root

07-13-2005, 06:43 PM

Text seems to have no feeling. I didn't want to come off as a smarty pants to you. I have taken real nice period photos and well, the fact is that some times I have to set the camera to do the work for me since I'm mostly alone when I want to take them. ;)

The blinds and the door do through off the picture and I know that the electrical plugs were different looking to a point back then.

I was just merely correcting you like you corrected me in a way. No offence was intended :cheers1:

Please, you seem to know some things about taking period photos and I see you live in LA. I know a few guys and gals here who want to take fun photos all dressed up. Maybe since you say you take the photos and that's why you're not in any, maybe we could go shooting around the area. I think I gave you the wrong impression about me. I'm really not that bad. I just sound like it some times.

Kind regards,

Root.

Brad Bowers

07-13-2005, 06:48 PM

Punchline: Good thing I didn't say anything about the irrigation system! ;)

I love that last photo, by the storefront. Too cool.

Are these digital shots that have had the color removed, or was this B&W film?

Brad

Wild Root

07-13-2005, 06:56 PM

Howdy Brad, glad you dig the photos. 80 % of the photos I post of me are (I hate to admit it) are digital. I find it so much easier to use digital seeing you can view the photo so you can see if you like first. I then hook it up to the PC and load it into Photoshop. I then change the format from RGB color to Black and white. I then go right back and then change it back to RGB color and go to balance color. I drag the yellow line a little over to the left to give the photo a little yellow and then drag the red line over a little to give it a real sepia tone.

That last photo was taken on Myrtle Ave in Monrovia. Matt Deckard was with me and took the photo. He’s not a bad photographer if I do say so.

I really like how that photo came out. I call it my 30’s catalog pose.

Regards,

Root.

Lauren

07-14-2005, 06:50 AM

WOW! Love the look! The first photo in the tux is downright star quality!

Wild Root

07-14-2005, 09:19 AM

Why thank you dear.

Oh, and it's nice to have you back!

Do tell us about your time abroad some time.

Root.

jitterbugdoll

07-15-2005, 08:14 AM

I agree with Lauren, Root--the first photo is really quite dashing. Your expression is very debonair!

I’ve never had the opportunity to attend a white or black tie affair. Arizona is very relaxed on the whole, and most events are fairly casual. I did attend a very posh, themed bar mitzvah (it was 1920s-themed and I worked as a cigarette girl during the cocktail hour)—they had to have spent at least $20 grand on the whole affair. However, despite the rather formal atmosphere, I think most of the men wore polo shirts and khakis, and the women were an odd lot—some in sundresses, some in beaded cocktail gowns.

Lauren

07-15-2005, 08:39 AM

I am longing for a black tie affair as well! I think the last one I attended was the Crash Bash back in 98 or 99 (I know Wild Root will know!). Hopefully I'll be able to attend the Art Deco Weekend on the Queen Mary if I don't have to go on a trip for work. You know what that means? I'll have to make a new dress! Oh darn ;) Is anyone else planning on attending that event?

Wild Root

07-15-2005, 09:16 AM

In response to Jitterbugdoll's post:

Hahaha yes, I know what you mean! Some events I have been to say on Catalina at the Casino Ballroom some will be dressed to the nines and some will be in street clothes! :rage: I just want to kick them out because they seem to disrespect that beautiful original 1920's Ballroom.

But, thank you ever so for the complement. That first one I didn't know would come out so well till I did my treatment on it in Photoshop.

I'll have to work out a way to change the back drop to something a little more Art Deco. ;)

Root

PS. Yes, the crash bash was a great time! It was in 1999 because it was the 70'th anniversary of the crash.

jitterbugdoll

07-15-2005, 09:27 AM

They neither appreciate nor care about history--doing so would take too much work! Anyway, I got paid $80 to prance around for an hour at that event, so I'll let the blasé attitude slide this once!

By the way, if you want to take a peek at the authentic 1940s uniform I wore, check out this (really tiny) photo:
http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?eventorder?photo=07DW008K030006&start=0&album=0&adjust=-1

You should look for a vintage or vintage-style painted back drop. The vintage shop I frequent (heck, I'm surprised they don't charge me rent) has a nice backdrop that they use for glamour photos. If you excuse the rather blah picture of me (I modeled some clothing for them awhile back on a really bad hair day--but check out my awesome shoes, which make up for my weird expression ;) ), you can get an idea of what it looks like.

http://www.vintagefinery.com/webnew5-11-05_files_files/image184.jpg

Dr. Shocker

07-15-2005, 10:32 AM

you know Doll the more i see your pix the more I think you may be lucky living in AZ and far from me.....wink.....hehehehhe
I love the cigerette girl uniform where did you ever find it?

Brad Bowers

07-15-2005, 03:06 PM

If you excuse the rather blah picture of me (I modeled some clothing for them awhile back on a really bad hair day

Looks all right to me. Reminds me of a young Lauren Bacall.

Brad

Wild Root

07-25-2005, 08:08 PM

Oscar Tong

07-25-2005, 09:57 PM

WHOA!! :eek: What a great photograph (and a great outfit, of course)! It had an unintentional side effect on me, though—it reminded me of the logo of a British brand of toothpaste that I saw regularly in Hong Kong, Darlie toothpaste.

Zach R.

07-25-2005, 10:36 PM

... (http://www.sinosplice.com/weblog/archives/2004/11/26/darkie-toothpaste)
http://img311.imageshack.us/img311/4996/darlietoothpaste7wq.th.jpg (http://img311.imageshack.us/my.php?image=darlietoothpaste7wq.jpg)

Thomas Walden

07-25-2005, 11:36 PM

Quite an impressive photo—very old timey!

Wild Root

07-25-2005, 11:43 PM

Thank you sir! But, not as "old timey" as your avatar! ;)

Root.

Thomas Walden

07-26-2005, 12:00 AM

Ah yes, the sickly asexual composer, circa 1840's, I believe.

Oscar Tong

07-26-2005, 12:22 AM

Huh! I didn't expect anybody to know what I was talking about. Good one, Zach! :clap Of course, it wasn't until I was much older that I put two and two together and realized what Darlie might have been called in the past. Yikes!

Tony in Tarzana

09-03-2006, 05:43 PM

Just bumpin' an old thread, since I have the hat and now need to dig up the rest of the ensemble.

John in Covina

09-03-2006, 08:44 PM

Ok, I thought it was time to kick start this thread to show off this photo.

This is like he first one but without the ugly background! I photoshoped it and hope this looks a little more appropriate!

Root.

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/2630/tophat23nv.jpg
From Roger Rabit:
Eddie: "Nice Monkey suit!"

GorillA: "WiZE ZASSS!"

****
From King Kong:

LAdy: DO you know what it is?

Man: Supposed to be some kinda gorilla!

LAdy after being roughly use as a banister by a big palooka: Doesn't New
York have enough of those?!!!

Don't worry Ladies and Gentlemen those Chains are made out of CHROME-STEEL!

Hammelby

09-04-2006, 04:23 AM

Nice thread Wildroot!

I just attended my little sisters wedding shining in my
brand new vintage swallowtail from 35 (sweden).

I did take the pictures digitally and yes, i might gone
heavy on the sepia.. But well, its better taste than color :D ..
Here's my two cents.

http://www.recap.dk/smox.jpg
Glooming with my black dominican beauty

http://www.recap.dk/kusin.jpg
A comforting example, that style was MUCH better back then (non-vintage on the right).
(ps. most men at the wedding wore white half-vests that reminded me of
napkins you hang around a babys neck ha ha..)

ArrowCollarMan

09-04-2006, 11:37 PM

I love tails. If a tailcoat were a woman I'd marry her. Wearing a black tie and vest still isn't right? But I love those things so! :( Although, that is the porblem with tails: where would you wear them? I was considering buying a top hat but when and where would I wear it? Both full dress tails and a silk top hat would be very expensive and would hardly be worn. I will wear that to senior prom though! And if I can I'll get a cane too! ;)

Tony in Tarzana

09-05-2006, 03:47 AM

Got the hat, working on the white tie and tails, and I'll worry about where I'll wear 'em later. :)

ArrowCollarMan

09-05-2006, 07:21 PM

I'm just afraid I'll have all these clothes I don't need/never wear. I'd feel like I'm too much in excess.

CharlieH.

09-06-2006, 11:30 AM

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/2630/tophat23nv.jpg

Quite possibly the most amazing picture I've seen in a long time!

LuckyKat

09-12-2006, 02:37 AM

jealous.

Atomic Glee

09-12-2006, 06:14 AM

Now that's a pic, Root! Excellent work!

Just keep at it - one day, white tie & tails will be back. Maybe. It'd be nice to see. Johnny Twennies agrees, anyway.

http://atomicglee.com/blogpics/DVDPlayerScreenSnapz004.jpg

metropd

09-12-2006, 11:38 PM

If you buy a silk top hat, do it on ebay. I highly recommend be it a silk plush beaver, silk shag, sea otter, or moleskin NOT satin or plain silk. You will get great prices on ebay and it will be better quality than any hat today or most vintage 30's and 40's hats. I dont know how well a silk shag top hat stands up to the natural elements though, but wearing symbolic and literal history on your heads worth it.;) . as for the tailcoat make sure its fitted right, because the fit is alot different then that of a suit.