Show us your suits

[Undertow]

Looks '80s to my eye. Maybe into the '90s.

Dinerman, could expand on this? What particular attributes lead you to this definition? (or anyone else that would like to pipe in for that matter)

 

[Two Types]

I don't know why I have kept this one. It seems to age me by about ten years (to be fair, the bow tie doesn't really help!) and is much narrower in the leg than I normally wear. Great heavy cloth though. (Suit by Dombey and Sons, London - undated)

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I don't know why I have kept this one. It seems to age me by about ten years (to be fair, the bow tie doesn't really help!) and is much narrower in the leg than I normally wear. Great heavy cloth though. (Suit by Dombey and Sons, London - undated)

Dear Lord. If you wear a size 40 Regular and ever wish to sell that suit, please do contact me first! It's a beaut!

 

[Nick D]

Dear Lord. If you wear a size 40 Regular and ever wish to sell that suit, please do contact me first! It's a beaut!

Beat me to it!

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Beat me to it!

Take a number, buddy! The line forms to the left.

 

[billyspew]

Dear Lord. If you wear a size 40 Regular and ever wish to sell that suit, please do contact me first! It's a beaut!

I was going to say the same thing (I'm a 42L by the way )

 

[Two Types]

Beat me to it!

Gentleman. Sorry to disappoint you but I have a 47 inch chest and a 41 inch waist. The trousers are too large for me - so imagine what they would do to you! That said, I'm glad you both like it. You might just have persuaded me to reconsider my opinion! (When I'm 60 it will be perfect for hanging around in dusty old second hand bookshops)

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Gentleman. Sorry to disappoint you but I have a 47 inch chest and a 41 inch waist. The trousers are too large for me - so imagine what they would do to you! That said, I'm glad you both like it. You might just have persuaded me to reconsider my opinion! (When I'm 60 it will be perfect for hanging around in dusty old second hand bookshops)

Wow -- a suit like that in a larger size is, to put it mildly, a very desirable item for vintage menswear enthusiasts. If you ever relented and decided to sell it on U.S. eBay, you'd make a killing.

 

[Two Types]

Wow -- a suit like that in a larger size is, to put it mildly, a very desirable item for vintage menswear enthusiasts. If you ever relented and decided to sell it on U.S. eBay, you'd make a killing.

That is something I may have to consider. Although seeing the positive response to the suit has made me thing I should appreciae it more!

I originally had eight suits that had been made for the same fellow. One has been rehoused, two are firm favourites (one Prince of Wales check - one a grey-three piece). There is also a blue pin-stripe double breasted 3 piece and a very heavy grey wool double breasted two-piece. I have a cream cotton for which the trousers are way too narrow (very sixties) but the jacket is perfect for summer - I wear it over a grey wool trouser and waistcoat combination. There is also a black wool herringbone 3 piece suit, again with narrow 1960s trousers that I could not wear. I have replaced them with morning suit trousers (in an old style stripe in which there is more black than grey - unlike most modern morning suit trousers). It is the perfect funeral suit - indeed I have only worn it one: to the funeral of my parents. It's strange having a great suit but never wanting to have a chance to wear it!

 

[Marc Chevalier]

That is something I may have to consider. Although seeing the positive response to the suit has made me thing I should appreciae it more!

This is really taking a stab in the dark, but ... were your suits made for a man named S. Robert Weltz?

 

[Justin B]

You know, it's funny reading throguh this thread as there are quite a few vintage suit guys, but up until now I hardly ever see anyone mention their size. I know over in the hat area, a couple of guys will keep an eye out for hats in my size and prefered style for me as I do for them. Wonder if any of you do the same for suits?

I'm a 42R btw.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Wonder if any of you do the same for suits?

I used to, but gave up. In nearly every case, the guys I did it for wanted suits that were in super condition, fit perfectly, and were cheap. I just wasn't able to meet all of those expectations, especially in combination with the final one.

 

[Bugsy]

Dear Lord. If you wear a size 40 Regular and ever wish to sell that suit, please do contact me first! It's a beaut!

I agree with Marc. Not to worry, Marc. I wear a 42.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I agree with Marc. Not to worry, Marc. I wear a 42.

Oh, I find size 42, though it's rare. The problem is that this size, in great condition, doesn't tend to be cheap. I usually have to pay more for it, and therefore must sell it for more.

 

[Justin B]

I don't worry much about fitting so long as it's close. Benefits of one of my best friends being a seamstress.

Condition, I'm looking for something wearable. Meaning it hasn't had gravy poured over it or been half devoured by moths.

I, like most everyone, of course want the best I can get at the lowest price...but I'm also willing to drop cash on something special.

Maybe I'm just wierd...

 

[Two Types]

This is really taking a stab in the dark, but ... were your suits made for a man named S. Robert Weltz?

They were made for a Mr Woolfe. Strangely, none of them have his name on a ticket inside them. However, inside the pocket of one suit (black herringbone) I found the original tailors form showing his measurements and the details he had requested. It doesn't give a date but simply says he is due to come fora fitting on 'the 4th'. That makes me think they were working very quickly. I had assumed that the suit dated from the sixties due to the very narrow cut of the trousers and the fabric of the lining. However, the form has a telephone number on it. The code reads 01 but is crossed out to read 081. That would date it to around May 1990! (it makes me think of the recent discussions on the forum about the date of the fantastic Edwardian-style suit, or the fantastic 30s/40s style suits you purchased that turned out to be from the 1960s: always keep an open mind).
I got the suits from David Saxby at his shop 'Old Hat' in London. If i remember correctly he had bought something like 80 suits from Mr Woolfe who needed to clear out his suits when he moved into a home for old people.

By the way, who was Robert Weltz?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

By the way, who was Robert Weltz?

He was the man for whom my '30s-'60s suits were made.


S. (Samuel) Robert Weltz, Jr. was the very wealthy son of a successful New York lawyer. The son became a prominent attorney and Wall Street broker in his own right --with a seat on the NY Stock Exchange -- and his clothes were bespoke made by some of the best New York and London tailors.


In the 1970s, Robert Weltz became an orchid enthusiast. He purchased a grand estate in Santa Barbara, California, and moved there to indulge in his passion for orchid-growing. At his death in March 2010, Mr. Weltz had 7,000 orchids growing in his massive "garden" -- arguably the world's finest private collection. In fact, the collection is being transplanted to the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena, California right now. (Mr. Weltz donated it in his will.)


How do I know all this? Google research.

 

[Two Types]

My Mr Woolfe was definitely London based. But they were both men with a passion for suits.

 

[Johnny J]

Finally found a 1940s DB Glen Plaid suit in my size:

Union tag looks like its dated either 1936 or 1939

 

[Johnny J]

Here is another one I picked up off the bay and it looks like Union tag is dated 1936. Its hard to believe how this fabric still looks brand new! Coat is in mint condition. The pants fabric is great too, but it did have a couple of small moth holes, but nothing bad at all.