2007 happens to be the 150th anniversary of Sir Edward Elgar’s birth (1857-1934). If you live in England, you may wish to investigate the Elgar Society. It’s too late to join in their birthday bash for the composer but you can check the website for local music festivals in England. Across the Atlantic, Elgar is […]
Musical detour: Sir Edward Elgar Read More »
I spoke with a tailor recently who recounted the days back in the 1960s when he regularly made white, unlined sharkskin suits. He also wore them himself. Apparently they were quite the thing to wear in Los Angeles at that time. Unfortunately, he said the fabric is no longer available today. If anyone has a
The white sharkskin suit Read More »
Here’s a clever montage of Grant in top form throughout his cinematic career. All cut and synced to ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man”. Needless to say, Grant does everything well whether he’s wearing a 2 piece suit, 3 piece suit, single breasted, double breasted, dinner jacket / tuxedo, white tie and tails or morning coat.
Cary Grant – a sharp dressed man Read More »
Bel y Cia Bel y Cia is a men’s haberdashery situated on the Paseo de Gracia in central Barcelona. There is also a separate women’s store, which is to the left of the picture above. The front half of the men’s Bel y Cia store features a generous selection of Edward Green shoes. By my
A visit to Barcelona: Bel y Cia and Xanco Read More »
This is an interesting AskAndy discussion on the history of the roped shoulder. From what I could gather at the “A Rakish History of Menswear” exhibition in the New York Public Library, roped shoulders were featured in men’s jackets and coats from at least the 1830s, probably earlier. So when should modern odd and suit
History of the roped shoulder Read More »
Apparel Arts is the de facto magazine of record for men’s clothing in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. It has achieved somewhat of a cult status for its colored illustrations of lounge suits, formal wear, collegiate styles and leisure wear. Judged in the dint of today’s light, these illustrations and advertisements provide a remarkable glimpse
Apparel Arts: Fall 1934 issue digitized Read More »
An enterprising AskAndy member (Doctor Damage) recently posted a photo series of 1950s London city gents. This should provide a nice visual bookend to my two recent posts on brollies and English icons (including the bowler hat). It is remarkable to note the drastic change in dress in less than 50 years. Even more generally,
London in the 1950s: Brollies & bowlers Read More »
Today I found this interesting site on English icons (http://www.icons.org.uk). The site seems to be the kind of public-private partnership that one wishes would happen more often. Creating win-win scenarios should not be exclusive to the private sector. There are at least two clothing related entries (see entry on the Bowler Hat) and an interview
A definitive list of English icons Read More »
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