Recent content by Dick Ireland

I think pairing it with white flannels and shoes would be a great summer look--just take a look at this illustration. I'm sure that's half a suit he's wearing, not a true sportcoat.

I think what he meant is that the subjects of early photographs were instructed not to smile at all, from start to finish, to prevent the blurring you allude to. Also, I think back them the portrait photograph was thought of as the poor man's portrait painting--you'd do it once for posterity...

I grew up playing it in western Maryland. Lots more fun than 10 pin, IMO. I played a game last month in a really old school alley, with manual sweepers and transparency projectors at each lane to display your handwritten scores. Pretty neat. Can't say I've ever played in a tie, though!

I think the sportcoat's natural companions are a V-neck sweater vest and a neck closed with a tie. That effectively covers the chest an is about as classic as it gets. When that isn't quite warm enough, I add a heavy wool scarf with the ends tucked into buttoned jacket.

Nice suit! I have one like it, with perhaps a higher rise in the trousers. I think this kind of mid-grey suit looks great with light blue shirts, navy and dark green neckties, and (when off work) brown oxford shoes. I tried the monochrome styles for a while, but it got old.

I was going to advise looking in thrift shops, but if you buy on ebay, I've found the following to work just as well: measure your circumference at the navel and buy trousers with that waist measurement, your usual inseam, and a rise of 12 or 13 inches (actually, for your height, 11 or 12 inches...

Kind of like this picture of A.J. Drexel Biddle?

I'm no expert, but would not a waistcoat/vest be standard for a lounge suit of that era?

Thanks, Nick! I sure would like to look as sharp as that one day.

Follow-Up Question... I've also been interested in piecing together a stroller. If you go with a double-breasted jacket, which button stances are appropriate? I was suprised to see the 6-on-1 in several old apparel arts pictures. I'd have figured that was too casual. Would a 4-on-1...

What Hat Would You Wear with a Blazer? Hi Gents, Every since I picked up a nice, traditional-looking two-button, SB navy blazer with gilt buttons I have found it hard to pair with headwear. I think it naturally goes with a straw boater hat, since its been paired with that hat for about...

I usually wear a vented wide-brim straw fedora in a gray color, but my favorite is my vintage boater. I won't wear it to work, though so it only comes out on Sundays usually.

Really? I had no idea that Europeans did that, too. I guess my idea of what they did is informed by Britain's "1%" of the day, which probably did things a little more strictly. I just figured the climate/social differences made the pond a big separater of dress mores.

I've looked through a lot of Esquire and Apparel Arts prints from the 1930s and it looks like even before the war, American men would go without a vest during the summer and with "semi-sport" suits, whereas European men were not this relaxed and always wore waistcoats. Is there any basis for...

I would definitely get both. They have different roles. The navy blazer is perfect for evening events or any business casual occasion (where the brown sportcoat may be inappropriate) and the brown sportcoat is perfect for Saturday afternoons in the park (where the navy blazer would look...