Mix and matching

Badluck Brody · Jul 13, 2005

Once again, I'm trying to outfit others with a good enough look. But without 3 pieces, I'm wondering how often the fellas mixed and matched stuff??

Now I'm sure that if you had the scratch (feds/ hoods and businessmen), it wasn't a problem having 3pc suits and such. But what about the working guy that was just barely getting by???

Laborers, tradesmen or bootleggers??

Any pics for the "Regular Joe"??

Brody

Wild Root · Jul 13, 2005

My best advice for you would be to watch "Oh Brother where art thou". That film has lots of good clothes in it. Gives the true feel of the depression style.

That is if you haven't seen it already.

Root.

Badluck Brody · Jul 13, 2005

Thanks Root!

Just unwrapped it and put it in for a first time view! Only had the thing since it came out on DVD, only some one (wife) never told me!!!

We'll check it out!

Thanks again!!

Brody

Biltmore Bob · Jul 13, 2005

I believe the working man usually wore the same clothes all the time, only dress it up for special ocassions. Let me put it this way, overalls with a tie for church.

jamespowers · Jul 13, 2005

Badluck Brody said:
I went to a funeral in Missouri about two years ago and that was very common to see.... Even now!!

Geez. Whose funeral did you go to---Jed Clampetts?

It is pretty laid back here int he dress sense but I have never seen that. :cool2:
From my old pictures in my family album, even men who worked in dirty jobs still wore shirts with long sleeves and collars. This might have been worn with dungarees or flat front type work pants.
You might also look at an old episode of The Andy Griffith show. They tend to show a a good example of life in those days and that show is always on somewhere.

The thing that most people forget is that service workers generally had a uniform they wore. The milkman had one the ice man had one, and so on. That commercial of the Maytag man is sort of trite but it is a good example or what you might encounter if you called someone out to repair the TV, washing machine, stove or other household appliances---eight cornered hat and all.

Regards to all,

J

jamespowers · Jul 13, 2005

I did a little looking and found a few pictures of life in the early 1940s that might give you a look into what they wore when they were working and playing.

and this one just because I remember having a circus cake for a few of my birthdays when I was a child---although not that long ago. I can see how those cakes developed.

That and the little guy has a hat on, suspenders and high waisted pants. :cool2:

Regards to all,

J

Wild Root · Jul 14, 2005

Too cool for words JP! Love those photos!

Root.

shamus · Jul 14, 2005

A guy probably had 2 pairs of overalls and two or three shirts. Plus his good clothes... They don't call them Sunday Best for nothing... He'd wear his same boots.

Especially if he's from the 30's period, you just didn't waste anything.. including clothes. Also keep in mind houses didn't come with closets. They had basically had a small tall wooden box to hold his suit, her dresses and anything else of value.

Shamus

Wild Root · Jul 14, 2005

shamus said:
Also keep in mind houses didn't come with closets. They had basically had a small tall wooden box to hold his suit, her dresses and anything else of value.

Shamus

Well, yes and no. My 1920's home has two closets. One in my room and one in my brotherâ€™s room. Older pre 20's and 30's homes didn't have closets and would have a wardrobe where his or her threads would be stored. Also seder chests were common as well.

A farmers set of clothes often differed from that of a man in the big city. So, a man who lived in a major city had only suits and such. Unless, he was a construction worker.

Cheers,

Root.

renor27 · Jul 14, 2005

The clothing for the working man

This tread follows a lot of the ideas I have asked about the clothing for the working man. I have been looking for as much information on the clothing as I can find. If you need more photos etc look @ the films like Grapes of Wrath and They Drive By Night. Also the phgoto taken by the WPA and of course from others here . I am glad I am not the only one who is thinking of following this path for my vintage look.
David Kerr

Badluck Brody · Jul 14, 2005

It were farm folk...

I said that exact thing myself... Ties were worn with the coveralls though! We're talking very small town... no McDonalds barely running water(it seemed)

Actually the reason that I'm looking into this is not only because I do have some odds and ins. But also because I'm going to have to outfit characters that look like bootleggers and working men for my events. Not everyone should be wearing their finest.

Thanks for the advice!

Brody

Deleted member 259 · Jul 14, 2005

shamus said:
Also keep in mind houses didn't come with closets. They had basically had a small tall wooden box to hold his suit, her dresses and anything else of value.

Shamus

Not that this has anything to do wuth the thread, but I have to disagree here - I grew up in a very old neighborhood, our house would be about 97 years old now, and every original bedroom has closets.
It wasn't a fancy or large house when built. A 3 bedroom starter home as a wedding present for the son of a rather well off family. There's a pretty good story about it. I'll start my own thread as soon as I get hold of original pics of the house. But right, has closets.

And the Victorian Mansions right up the street - well, even their closets had closets.

Badluck Brody · Jul 14, 2005

I think it also depends on where and when

My grandmother (temporarely) lived as a young girl in a Frank Loyd Wright house/flat and she mentioned that the nice thing was the built in closets and shelves. Lots of the old Polish flats didn't have them... They also had vents instead of the old steam heaters.

I'm sure that many things got added as needed.

Brody

Wild Root · Jul 15, 2005

Well, getting back on track, have you watched the movie "Brother where art thou?"

If you have, what you think of it? I for one love that film!

Root.

Badluck Brody · Jul 15, 2005

Just finished it before going on duty

Gotta luv it!!

I'm so used to seeing films where everyone is wearing a matching suit and brandnew hat. I just don't think that was the case. Most working class folks wore their best on Sunday and everything else the rest of the time.

"I'm a Dapper Dan Man!!"

Brody

Wild Root · Jul 15, 2005

Good to hear you like the film! One of my all time faves!

That movie takes place in the south, in very rural areas. It is period correct for that area and at that time. If it was say New York, Chicago or LA, the clothes would have been a little dressier. There was a difference in City living and Country living.

But, what a great movie!!!

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