Reproduction 1930s Suits (although that's a matter of opinion ...)

[Two Types]

I normally like to celebrate the efforts of companies making reproductions of classic styles. However, have a look at this website:

http://puttin-on-the-ritz.net/men/

These are described as reproductions of 1930s suits but to me they just look wrong.

Maybe it's the shirt the model is wearing; maybe it's his narrow brimmed hat; maybe it's the fit (especially the rather loose waistcoat); maybe it's just his modern face (with unshaven chin) - but to me these suits do not say thirties. The green trousers seem far too tight across he seat, making them seem more like something from a 1970s business suit. Although they claim to be high-waisted, they do not appear so. And the back of the green jacket seems completely out of balance. Also the jackets lack the waisted look of the thirties and seem to lack structure.

I don't like to be overly critical, since I welcome it when clothing companies make the effort, but the suits seem out of period, which is odd since the ladies clothes offered by the same company appear rather pleasant and authentic.

I would like to hear the thoughts of other loungers and whether they are similarly unimpressed by these suits.

 

[Deleted member 16736]

I agree completely. To my untrained eye, it's the shoulders. 30's suits had quite strong shoulders. This suit has a natural shoulder more 2011-vintage than 1930's.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

.
God is in the details, and the details here are off. The jackets have wonky collar, lapel, back, shoulder and sleeve proportions. The waistcoats are too long. Indy Magnoli does a better job at better prices.

 

[JohnnyDollar]

I do like the trousers.....and that is about it.

 

[Undertow]

Chiming in with the others:
230 suit
Waistcoat is too long and loose. It's hard to tell how "high-waisted" those trousers are, but the seat does look a little tight. I like the width of the trousers at the legs, but then you have the stale jacket with its bad fit. I like the material, at least!

Bounder Suit
Pretty much the same thing.

I'm not complaining; at least someone is trying. For that price point, I'd go elsewhere.

 

[filfoster]

I ran into this site on my own but the pricing is just out of my range. I will spring for a Magnoli suit if I want a new one, appropos of Marc's comments. Still, the site clothing is some sort of 'homage'.

 

[Dinerman]

It's not a reproduction, but I thought the cut of a (fairly) modern suit by Simbols did a pretty good job of channeling a 1930s style. Lots of "wrong" details, but better than the one above.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

.
Much better. Thanks, Dinerman ... can you tell Loungers where they might purchase this suit?

 

[Dinerman]

It is by the Italian label Simbols Culture, but I picked it up second-hand, so not something you could easily go to a store and just pick up any more.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

At that price point you can go to a tailor and have it made bespoke. (At least if you can get out to the provinces.)

Poor show. It's sad to see that the notion is still current that all the 30s/40s were was baggy trousers.

bk

 

[Two Types]

It's sad to see that the notion is still current that all the 30s/40s were was baggy trousers.

bk

Worse than that: they haven't even got the baggy trousers right! In some of the pics they appear flared. In others they just appear shapeless. They might have got away with the shapeless if they had gone for a much wider leg, but not at that width. To me it is disappointing since there are no shortage of reference photographs and I am sure they could have found a genuine suit to make a copy pattern from.

Worst of all, to my (rather amateur) eye, they don't even look very well made.

I just hope they move on and try to do it better in the future.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

In some of the pics they appear flared.

For the early '30s, that would be historically correct.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

... there are no shortage of reference photographs ...

And there are primary pattern resources from the era, too. Two of them just sold on eBay:


http://www.ebay.com/itm/1937-TAILOR...1?pt=BI_Textile_Equipment&hash=item3cbfbd4af7

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1938-MEN-Fa...260914891546?pt=Magazines&hash=item3cbfbd4b1a

 

[filfoster]

The contact information referred to the 'webmistress' and one of two suits/jackets is 'out of stock'. The thought creeps that this is a relatively slick site set up by friends of a couple of which the girlfriend was somewhat talented with needle and thread and is not a business best done with payment by check ('cheque' for you local shoppers). I see Paypal is preferred. That won't protect you on custom made garments, I suspect.
I have been duped by similar sites. Well, that last is no difficult feat.

 

[avedwards]

At that price point you can go to a tailor and have it made bespoke. (At least if you can get out to the provinces.)

I'm consistently surprised by the price of some off the rack suits compared to MTM or even bespoke suits. Why do people buy designer or in this case inaccurate reproductions, when a good tailor can do a reasonably good (fully canvassed) job for a mere £500?

 

[Two Types]

For the early '30s, that would be historically correct.

Whilst I have seen American suits with flared legs in photos from the period, I have never seen that style on British suits (although the straight legs suits that were worn short often appeared flared).
Any idea of whether the flared legs in the early 30s were just an American thing?

 

[Mae Croft]

I'm by no means an expert on suits from the period, but I've seen quite a few of the non-zoot variety that looked like this, my grandfather wore suits that looked a lot like this - I should see if I can't find some photos!

The model for the suits really throws me off, though, the facial hair and the fact that the suits don't fit him/them.

I'd just give them a ring if you're wondering about any sort of or-your-money-back policy, I've asked about their April in Paris coat and they were quick to respond and very nice about all of my inane questions.

 

[Miss Sis]

I'm personally not terribly impressed by their ladies wear either, I'm afraid.

 

[Two Types]

I'm personally not terribly impressed by their ladies wear either, I'm afraid.

Out of interest, what was it about the ladies wear that you didn't like? I ask because I was looking for a present for my wife and had looked at this site.

 

[Miss Sis]

Out of interest, what was it about the ladies wear that you didn't like? I ask because I was looking for a present for my wife and had looked at this site.

Sorry, only just seen your question. The fit and finish just doesn't seem very good to me, but then that is often the case in ready made items, rather than ones that are made for someone where they can be fitted.

The shoulders on most of the items are too wide for a proper period look and the fabrics for some of the designs don't drape properly. Some of the designs are better than others though.