Recent content by Dan D

Patch pockets on an oprhaned suit jacket Fil: I agree - patch pockets are associated with more casual jackets, and would presumably therefore be more appropriate on a separated suit jacket functioning less formally. Other pocket-types - jetted, flap, etc. - tend to be considered more formal...

DIY cravats... I've created several by simply purchasing a large square of fabric from a material shop - in particular, one in Walthamstow High Street in East London - which one simply folds into a triangle, and then rolls from tip to base; one then either ties and tucks into the shirt-collar...

Sharp Suits 'Sharp Suits' by Eric Musgrave; not only a history of the suit but a fantastic collection of photographs - a veritable treasure-trove. Much recommended!

And then they invented cameras... Any chance someone could take a photo of this impressive-sounding display for those poor mortals such as myself who can't get over there ?

Dress waistcoats. It's my understanding that waistcoats worn with dinner jackets are cut straight across the bottom, rather than having points - these are supposed to be always worn with the bottom button done up, thereby creating a clean line across. Or so I've read. Somewhere.

A foot in both camps... I work in a university music department, where I play all the time; a classical accompanist and repetiteur with an interest in French song and contemporary Minimalism, and, when I can, play jazz as well, influences are Chick Corea and Keith Jarrett, although I'm sure...

Sartorial self-help... 'Gentleman: A Timless Fashion' by Bernhard Roetzel, and am waiting for Amazon to deliver 'A History of Men's Fashion: What The Well-Dressed Man Is Wearing' by Nicholas Storey. With luck, my wardrobe will improve as a result of both!

A short film from the archives of British Pathe about the rising interest in men's fashion in Britain in the 1960s. There are also a few clips about Savile Row and the tailoring process on the website archives. Happy browsing!

BBC series on Harris Tweed. For UK members, BBC4 are currently showing a three-part series on the Harris Tweed industry here: the first episode is on the iPlayer, with the second episode being broadcast next Tuesday. The first episode was thoroughly absorbing, and made me lust after a wardrobe...

Second batch.

Herewith some pages from a 1944 edition of Regal's Garment Cutter, published by the fabulously-titled 'American Gentleman Publishing Corporation' of New York. Although I profess to have no tailoring knowledge whatsoever, it's still interesting to see plans from which clothing was made...

At the Hop... Yours truly at the local hop festival earlier today, sampling the local brew in order to sustain the local ecomony Of Course.

According to Roetzel... According to Roetzel's book 'Gentleman: A Timeless Fashion,' the contrasting collar and cuffs shirt evolved as a compromise in the nineteenth century between the white shirt worn by the idle rich, who did not need to soil their shirts with anything as mundane as 'work' -...

Golly... Dear Christy, I've just swooned deliriously! A lovely look: "nothing spectacular" what tosh...!

Feedback Billy Spew: the trousers aren't flared at the bottom, that may be a trick of perspective in the photo you've posted: I haven't worn flares since, oh, 1978 maybe ??!! WofmanJack: the quality is certainly better than I've found in the average high street retailer, the jacket fits well...