What I Wore: Back to My Roots

Over time as our wardrobes grow and evolve, somethings, even our most beloved items, fall into disuse. That has unfortunately happened to me.

I needed to get back to my roots.

Sunday I pulled from the dark closest my first wearable vintage piece: a 1950s "Bold Look" jacket. The electric blue herringbone gabardine fabric is something else, a true marvel to behold. So, after months of being hung up, here it is again for you to see.

*1950s jacket
*1950s Lee fedora
*vintage tie
*modern claiborne herringbone trousers
*vintage 'lucky charm' tie bar
*GAP socks
*modern Botany 500 spectator shoes
*modern suspenders

click photos to enlarge

This look is somewhat fashioned after the below illustration, though this comes from the 1930s while my look has a touch of "Bold Look" to it, thanks to the jacket and tie. Even so, a dark jacket paired with contrasting trousers was a very popular style during the Golden Era, especially when worn with spectators.

And while the illustrated look is more for the summer (especially with the cream flannel trousers), it can work just as well in the winter with gray trousers, as I have shown here.

WIW yesterday

*Perry Ellis belted back jacket
*'50s Dacron tie
*Overcoat custom made in Japan in 1964
*RL trousers
*AE shoes
*Penny's scarf
*'40s Lee fedora

click photos to enlarge

I really like this tie. I estimate it's from the 1950s "Bold Look" era and it has wide stripes as well as a smaller herringbone pattern within the stripes. The Dacron polyester makes it soft and pliable, unlike later polyester ties from the 1970s.

WIW yesterday

Yesterday was strange. Warm early in the morning, no need for a jacket. Then after church it was snowing and the weather turned nasty.

Went for an early 1950s 'hepcat' look today. Not wearing a tie for once was a little strange but I kinda liked it, just so I don't like it too much.

-green Whippet
-early '50s 'atomic fleck' jacket
-'40s flannel trousers
-modern Florsheim shoes
-vintage lighter

click to enlarge

As you can see, the jacket is not form fitting like some jackets from the '30s and '40s. Remember, this was the time of the "Bold Look" when things were a little baggy and loose. However, even while things were loose, guys still wore their trousers up around their waists and in general did not look like slobs.
This is how dress casual should look today. Rather than pairing low-riding jeans with a jacket and tie (for that ironic look) why not wear classic garments (jacket, shirt, dress trousers) that are tastefully loose and comfortable but still sit up where they are supposed to, giving the wearer that stylish 'devil may care' attitude?

No, I don't smoke. I just needed a reason to show off my 'new' lighter. Yogi?