Formal Wear Primer

Its too bad you never went inside its a beautiful hotel inside. The renovation they did a couple of years ago was very well done. You also might find this silly story entertaining : http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...yal-Hawaiian-Hotel-1937&p=1588283#post1588283

I just got in a few more photos:

trying to go through this mega-thread, as I have snippets of time! This is HUGELY informative!

This "little button on the pants" caught my eye. Yesterday Mum here took the plunge: I just got the full-vintage-guacamole white tie and tails for my 16-1/2yo ds Daniel, from my favourite vintage dealers Roberto and Jula Isola of City Vintage, in South San Francisco. The marcella vest has a longish thin loop on the inside facing edge of the right front. That may go to that pants button to help hold the vest in place.

Brunathacliath said:

Of course it is not part of the fly. Actually the buttons on the fly are on the right, this one on the left, on its own. There is no buttonhole in front of it.

Anyways sorry to have bothered everyone with that, it's only a little button afterall!

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Been enjoying reading this thread.

We’ve had a couple of vintage-formalwear-baptisms in this household of social ballroom dancers of late!

In the Fall of 2012, my dancing sweetheart Tom plunged into the cool, deep waters of vintage clothing with getting not one, but two vintage tuxedos. He got a bespoke dated 1937 black DB faille (sp?)/grosgrain peak lapel tuxedo, and an early 1940s midnight blue DB black satin shawl collar tuxedo. Gift from me were two modern tuxedo shirts, two modern ties, and a vintage studs & cufflinks set.

He previously bought a modern cutaway coat in 2011 for earlier historical event purposes, and recently found a pair of striped trousers to go with. He’s not completely committed to the idea of the morning formalwear ala’ Fred Astaire in Swing Time and Easter Parade as yet. If that happens, a proper cravat, grey vest and spats will probably join ranks.

The newest addition to our vintage formalwear family arrived just last night.

But first, a little backstory. I had always said when my now teenage son was just a little guy, that he’d own his first tuxedo by age sixteen. It ended up being a few years earlier, initially due to a Xmas play performance he was in. At age almost 12-1/2 my ds Daniel got his first set of modern white tie and tails. Quick on its heels came a button tuxedo coat, and an off white DB dinner jacket. He outgrew three pairs of tuxedo trousers in a year and a half. At this young age and growing stage, vintage was not a feasible nor practical option. His only rental was a modern DB peak lapel tuxedo worn for a specific event in 2009. He did however, have a size 6-7/8 vintage beaver top hat. Sadly outgrown of course by now, but happily still with us.

Fast forward to age 16-1/2. With a number of formal dance events in the very near future, and looking down the road at the next couple of years- white tie and tails again was to be the most practical option. This time- all vintage.

Daniel is the proud owner of a set of late 1930s ‘dancing’ tails (the tails are cut a bit longer). Completing the vintage look is an open back collarless pique bib and cuffs shirt, two detachable collars, two ties, a pique waistcoat, and a studs & cufflinks set. With his tall and very slim build, sporting his ‘Captain America’-style 40s haircut, the overall effect is truly glorious.

His first opportunity to wear this will be this Saturday, to a prom. Needless to say, he will stand out from among the 'herd' of how other boys will be attired at this event. There is plenty of grow room, so this vintage ensemble should serve him well for quite a while. Daniel has for many years said that his style role model was Fred Astaire. When he was thirteen, he decided that he wanted an art deco wardrobe. That earned him the moniker, ‘the deco kid’.

here he is...

My 16-1/2yo ds Daniel Charles Linsley,
wearing his vintage late 1930s white tie and tails ensemble for the first time,
to a prom in San Jose, CA this evening:

I was always taught that a boy under 18 should not wear tails. These pictures toss those rules out the window. You son looks terrific and men three times his age lack such presence.

I remember the first tailcoat I bought. It was ivory with shawl collar. I wore it relentlessly and now that I look back on it, I should have scoured Ebay a bit longer. I own own tails in ivory, grey and black, as well as two black traditional DJs in shawl collar and notch lapel. As an amateur musician, I have opportunity to wear such things.

Waistcoat doesn't show below the jacket. WELL DONE!

Thank you Canadian, I'll pass on your encouraging words here to my son. Actually, he had his first set of white tie and tails at 12-1/2 years of age.

Canadian said:

I was always taught that a boy under 18 should not wear tails. These pictures toss those rules out the window. You son looks terrific and men three times his age lack such presence.

I remember the first tailcoat I bought. It was ivory with shawl collar. I wore it relentlessly and now that I look back on it, I should have scoured Ebay a bit longer. I own own tails in ivory, grey and black, as well as two black traditional DJs in shawl collar and notch lapel. As an amateur musician, I have opportunity to wear such things.

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Plus single shirt stud and a nice high collar. Perfect!

Damn straight!! Thank you Scotrace.

scotrace said:

Waistcoat doesn't show below the jacket. WELL DONE!

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Thank you Dhermann1! This is the lower collar of the two I got for him, this one is a bit less yellowed, so I ironed this one for the prom. Yes, I love that one stud only on this vintage shirt- I discovered so many awesome details on this shirt as I was ironing it, truly very cool

dhermann1 said:

Plus single shirt stud and a nice high collar. Perfect!

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chanteusecarey said:

here he is...

My 16-1/2yo ds daniel charles linsley,
wearing his vintage late 1930s white tie and tails ensemble for the first time,
to a prom in san jose, ca this evening:

Click to expand...

perfection!!

SON DANIEL'S WHITE TIE AND TAILS- the closeup pics I

the two bow ties





the two collars (only one ironed)

SON DANIEL'S WHITE TIE AND TAILS- the closeup pics II

open back collarless shirt:













waistcoat:

SON DANIEL'S WHITE TIE AND TAILS-the closeup pics III

accessories:







(he only wore the converse sneakers in the car, he didn't want to scuff his good dress shoes!)

SON DANIEL'S WHITE TIE AND TAILS- the closeup pics IV

tail coat:









trousers:

thank you Bugsy.

Bugsy said:

perfection!!

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wow

chanteuseCarey said:

here he is...

My 16-1/2yo ds Daniel Charles Linsley,
wearing his vintage late 1930s white tie and tails ensemble for the first time,
to a prom in San Jose, CA this evening:

Click to expand...

I havent posted in a while but just had to say CC you sons looks amazing ive never seen a teen look so good at such a young age he could give the hollywood stars of past a run for there money. Did he like wearing the tails i bet he got lots of compliments. was he still this good at end of night or was the collar etc to much and came off. I hope to own tails one day i do own a topper,shirt collars studs but need waist coat and tails oh and a event to wear to.

You know, I was just thinking, looking at those pics. He will ALWAYS know what it feels like to have it RIGHT. Dead on right. Stuff may come and go, but he'll always know what it means to have it right. That's something.

thank you for the encouraging comment, Dhermann1. I shared it with Daniel.