Recent content by Dirk Wainscotting

I'm going to tentatively put them at the late '50s, but using an older tried-and-true drafting system (rear darts not at centre-line, finishing on the side pockets are all standard details for trousers of the 1930s and earlier). There is a lot of visible machine work, so that is either a sign...

I'm going to have a watch later and look at the coat in question. Borsalino is a great film. It's odd though, the first half is like a crime comedy and the second half is really serious. There's a good fight scene at the beginning between Delon and Jean-Paul Belmondo.

I meant chest drape as a feature in 1930s suits. It was the stock-in-trade of Anderson & Sheppard - as the acknowledged originators of this feature (under Scholte). When I think of a 'spiv' I just picture Walker from Dad's Army!

I'm less certain about this. You do see bold look in some British films, but it's not common. Chest drape was already a feature of some British suits from the 30s, but wide shoulders of the type in post-war American suits was not quite so evident. Neither was the longer length coat of that look.

It's all a matter of taste of course, but the sleeves and trousers are loooong!

That tartan suit is the craziest thing I've seen in a while, but it's great. This is one I would wear now that I no longer care what people think. I'd probably go to a job interview in this.

Must be a modern fashion twist, but I think it looks fine. I didn't know the polo/roll neck and suit had come back into vogue (or the axe-murderer stare). There have been all sorts of unusual jacket configurations, in the film The Wrong Arm of the Law Peter Sellers is wearing a SB jacket with...

I don't think he was claiming that all bullying is clothes-based! However I would say that when my school allowed personal items of clothing to interfere with standard school uniform, it caused problems. Sports shoes being the chief culprit, so that someone not able to afford the 'right' shoes...

Addressing a crowd in shorts (unless it's a sports meeting) should be illegal. There is a postman here who walks about in nothing but shorts and flip-flops in the summer and a sort of Yassir Arafat cloth on his head. Fair enough when it's hot and you're carting several thousand of letters...

I was reading way too fast. I saw "bridesmaid" and thought: 'Oh yes, what have we here?' To be fair though the matching barathea trousers part is far more shocking. Oh no.

In pyjamas?! How could anyone go outside in their pyjamas, aside from briefly putting out the bins? Aside from this (for which I need a scotch and water to recover) I have to say I am far less bothered about what other people wear these days. I don't like the ultra lax attitude to dressing down...

Mathematicus is right about the canvassed lapel giving the rolled 'bloom' at the button. In truth the revers on a decently fused coat front should also be able to roll fairly well, but dry cleaners and bad manufacturers are notorious for pressing lapels flat; in the case of dry cleaners even...

I differ a bit on some points from Patrick Hall's approach. I don't think a half or quarter lining is a standard vintage detail, not in the best tailoring establishments anyway. Full lining was always the norm in the best houses. A lot of vintage items that turn up now (especially the American...

I still prefer a silk knit with tweed, but a grenadine is a good second. I think the grenadine pairs better with flannel suits and jackets.

Well anyone who has that many deadly enemies in daily life probably should stay indoors and think about why.