Calling all tailors

[Matt Deckard]

Can you make this?

[Zemke Fan]

Not sure I can match those prices!

[Veronica Parra]

I'm going to go out on a limb and bet that within the next couple of years, we'll see a mainstream fashion revival of the belted-back suit jacket. After all, single-breasted suits with peak lapels are popping up in the department stores: an '05 revival of a '70s revival of a '20s-'30s style. It's only a short (and logical) stroll from that to the belted-back.

Hence the question: will the next belted-back revival imitate the '70s, or will it channel the '30s directly? My guess: it will be a compromise. Not as tacky as the '70s, but not as elegant as the '30s, either.

Bets are being taken. What'll you wager?

-- Marc

[Lauren]

Agreed, Marc. I think that most men are tiring of the t shirt and jeans look, hence the "metrosexual" title to men that just want to dress nicely. I also predict the revival of the belted back suit, in a 30's snug fitting cut but with 70's fabrics. Darn.

[Mycroft]

Agreed, Marc. I think that most men are tiring of the t shirt and jeans look, hence the "metrosexual" title to men that just want to dress nicely. I also predict the revival of the belted back suit, in a 30's snug fitting cut but with 70's fabrics. Darn.

Bring it on, we will be the best dressed in town and ahead of the curve.

[Veronica Parra]

Lauren, may I poke through your memory? Did you buy a '30s white linen day suit from Ben McGinty back in 1995? I seem to remember that the buyer was a slim young blonde who looked a lot like you. You see, I found the suit in a south central L.A. thrift store and sold it through Ben. That piece was beautiful!

-- Marc

[Veronica Parra]

Bring it on, we will be the best dressed in town and ahead of the curve.

We already are!

-- Marc

[Mycroft]

We already are!

-- Marc

Very true.

[Lauren]

Ooh! I wish! I just bought my first 30's linen suit from Ebay this week. Good find! Does he sell at the vintage expo?

Lauren, may I poke through your memory? Did you buy a '30s white linen day suit from Ben McGinty back in 1995? I seem to remember that the buyer was a slim young blonde who looked a lot like you. You see, I found the suit in a south central L.A. thrift store and sold it through Ben. That piece was beautiful!

-- Marc

[Veronica Parra]

Ben used to sell at Expo (in Santa Monica, CA) -- he's good friends with Art Fawcett. These days, Ben's focusing on selling art through his Underground Arts Society in Altadena. No more vintage for now, unfortunately.

-- Marc