Question Regarding Shirt colors. . .

[Flitcraft]

Just finished watching Saboteur and White Heat and have a question regarding wearing black dress shirts:
Was that a common look, outside of Hollywood and the Silver Screen, that is?
In Saboteur, Robert Cummings looked like he was wearing a dark brown shirt with a repp striped tie. In White Heat, James Cagney looked like he was wearing a black shirt with gray trousers.

I'd love to emulate Cagney's look, but I don't want to be mistaken for a Godfather or Sopranos wannabe.

I tried searching the archived posts here on The Lounge, but I didn't really find any references to black shirts as a common option for the typical Golden Era gent.

Thanks, and a tip of the hat, in advance for your assistance.

 

[Vladimir Berkov]

From all the period photos I have seen, black shirts are definately not common. In fact, I can't ever remember seeing one being worn by an "ordinary person." Dark-colored shirts, however seem to have been relatively common.

 

[BellyTank]

...pretty hard to tell black from dark in B&W photography.

B
T

 

[Vladimir Berkov]

The dark shirts I have seen are in illustrations. I seem to recall a dark green one in particular.

 

[The Wolf]

I've wondered this myself. I remember Richard Widmark having what looked like a black shirt in "Kiss of Death". Lon Chaney, Jr and Bud Abbott have on dark shirts in "A. & C. Meet Frankenstein".
Of Course, as Belly Tank points out, The shirts could have red or something else that photographs black.

Your devoted servant,
The Wolf

 

[Dr. Shocker]

Since Black is my color of choice I wear black shirts often.....a dark shirt with white, grey or even red suspenders with a matching tie has a smart look...though may not be 100% vintage in look but smart none the less....at least in my opinion....I have even done grey coat with a light tie....but hey I am a bit off...hehehehehe

Been busy at work thats why I havn't been on much for those wondering

 

[Matt Deckard]

May not be my style, though it works for you. Be true to yourself and wear what you like. If it really looks bad I'll tell you.

I need more black in my wardrobe.