Gershwin, et al

[Tommy]

Tin Pan Alley, and all the rest that comprise the Great American Songbook, has always appealed to me. As a musician, it's probably my favorite era as far as song composition goes. Many of those composers grew up in the fashion era of 1910-1920, then blossomed from 1920 through the 30's. Since they were the vanguard of songwriting, I have keen interest also in how they dressed.

I assume they made a concious effort to get it right, but who knows? Pictures can reveal an idea. George Gershwin's life uniquely traversed through those three decades, and it is interesting to note his clothing sensibility. Perhaps his tailor made all the decisions, and he didn't give a thought to it, Anyhow, I thought a gathering of what photos exist of him and other composers, as well as people's feedback on their stylings might be interesting and useful...

George 1916
Photo credit Ira Gershwin collection

George w/Alex Aarons
photo credit Ira Gershwin collection

George late 1928 - Palm Beach Golfing
photo credit Ira Gershwin collection

1927 - Rosalie rehearsal
Photo Credit UPI

He liked pinstripes
Photo credit UPI

 

[Tommy]

at the beach mid 1920's
Photo Credit Culver City Pictures

w/Ernest Hutcheson
Photo Credit Library of Congress

Mid 1920's - likes his double breasted's
Photo credit Ira Gershwin Collection

February 1929 - Hats!
photo credit Ira Gershwin Collection

at the piano - those sleeve buttons probably function.
Photo Credit Ira Gershwin Collection

 

[Tommy]

1936 - PC Ira Gershwin

at Lewisohn - PC Ira Gershwin

Newark 1936 - PC Unknown

Palm Beach 1935 PC Emil Mosbacher

Shall We Dance 1936 - PC Ira Gershwin