“History is the best teacher” - ancient Latin proverb
It’s no secret that as we evolve, we continue to learn from our past successes and failures. The manner in which we present ourselves – including our personal appearance/image/style – is no different.
This is my dissertation – one (or two) look(s) inspired by each of the past nine decades in American history, along with corresponding style tips.
Please keep in mind that these are not costumes; the styling in these images is not meant to be 100% accurate for the decade. Rather, these are contemporary looks inspired by the said time period.
As always, all clothing featured in this article is from my personal wardrobe, and each look is one that I have worn at one occasion or another (or at least something very similar).
1920′s – Roaring & Fabulous
“The 1920s called for a fresh approach to dressing, which was epitomized by the new royal fashion Icon – the Prince of Wales, the future Edward VIII… Described as the best-dressed man in the world, the Prince was closely scrutinized whenever he went on tours, particularly in America, where every detail of his lavish outfit was reported on” (Blackman, 13).
Fashions of the “Roaring 1920s” were inspired primarily by royal figures. There was not much sense of “over dressing” or clothing that was “too” luxurious.
Take-away tip: Don’t be afraid to be the best dressed man in the room. You only live once – sometimes you deserve to feel a little lavish.
- Grey “Prince of Wales” three piece flannel suit by Michael Andrews Bespoke
- Black bengal stripe shirt by Michael Andrews Bespoke
- Fur scarf Handmade
- White linen pocket square by Michael Andrews Bespoke
- Burgundy ascot by Ralph Lauren Polo
- Gold pocket watch Vintage from my late grandfather
69 Comments Add a comment
Those cargo pants from the military look looks great! I tried finding those same pants but had no luck. Anyone know where I can purchase them?
Hey about that military look. Would it look good if i would wear a pair of khakis stuffed into a pair of black combat boots?
My understanding is that any historical rationing of cloth occurred during World War II and had nothing to do with either the stock market crash or the great depression. Any rationing that occurred during the 1930s was self-imposed and due to individual dire economic circumstances.
A slim profile is nice, to a point. But many of the outfits that guys wear these days look so ridiculously tight that it’s a wonder they’re even able to move around!
It’s like they’re wearing leftover suits that they still have from 8th grade, and they resemble a marshmallow supported by two toothpicks.
The outfit look great and cool.I really like it.
Casual wear is my first choice.Some truly fantastic stuff here.I love it.your post is really very nice.thank you.
Some truly fantastic stuff here! I’m digging pretty much everything but the 70s…did people really roll their trouser cuffs then? I feel like the flared pants of the 70s were the antithesis of these looks. The 6/1 double breasted is spot on!!! Totally cracked me up!
I loved the inclusion of the fedora!
You got a bit of a copycat on your hands :) guess your being admired
http://mensstylepro.com/2011/04/24/playingrugbyorjustplaying/
good taste
Well done! Impressive….although I would love to also see the inclusion of a 70s-style funky wide-label flared pants suit…like Teddy Pendergrass in his prime. Bit of Philly soul.
Amazing post. Trad/Ivy/Prep and Hip Hop Movement are my favorite looks but they all really do look great. That varsity jacket is perfect.
SB i love this…probably one of my favorites.
I love it. puts a different spin on the blog.
Is that a 2.5″ or 3″ lapel on your Prince of Wales suit?
3.75″
great looks, will definitely be using some of these for inspiration. I like the theme posts and the effort you put into post quality. keep it up.
Dan, I’m curious how you reconcile certain eras of style— pre-WW2 and and the 90s, for example—where baggy clothes (including the Zoot suits of the 20s and 30s) were the fashion forward and then, ultimately, normative clothing choice. Where as I personally agree with you to some extent, your statement, “More and more men are trading-in their over-sized clothing and embracing a ‘slim fit’, a term that could be synonymous with ‘proper fit’,” seems erroneous to me in that you draw a value judgment on “slim” being “proper” when, in fact, baggy clothes were viewed culturally (and still are in some modern day cultures) as “proper”. I, for example, have one slightly baggy charcoal gray flannel suit—and while I appreciate a fine edged and impeccably tailored flannel—there’s something I find very comforting about this particular roomy flannel. It’s like a suit made out of pajama material or some such thing, a quiet, bizarre little rebellion of mine on a cold day, where I can be “formally” dressed and yet quite snuggly, if you will. I’m interested in your thoughts. Thanks.
—MS.
Hey MS.
By “proper” fit I simply meant seam lines hitting the body at their correct/intended places. Shoulder seams hitting at the correct shoulder point-to-point, waistband hugging the waist, outseams following the natural shape and curvature of the leg, etc.
As far as your flannel “pajama suit”, I’m not sure I can get behind it. A tailored suit is almost always more flattering on the body – in my opinion of course.
Thanks for reading.
Best,
Dan
The fact is I gave him praise for the other looks, however, Dan posts about being urban inspired and use to dress “hip-hop” prior to his transformation into this new modern man. In my opinion, he could have done a better job.
I think he should have went with this look to be contemporary:
http://www.thestyleblogger.com/never-forget/
What a great post. Fantastic ideas and outfits for the ages. Particularly enjoy the 1920′s manual worker and the 1950′s Trad/Ivy/Prep look. Never sure about that stingy-brim fedora. Something about it doesn’t look quite right to me.
http://www.urbanpreparatory.blogspot.com
Great job on this post… I think you did a fantastic job in encompassing the styles of the past, and making them appeal to the modern man. Keep the posts coming!! Thanks again…
whats going on Dan? Hope all is well! The blog looks great and this post is on point. Keep up the hard work. Check out my blog and let me know what you think. CavalierandCotton.blogspot.com
Thanks man.
Whats going on Dan? Hope all is well. the blog looks great and this post is on point!! keep up te work my friend. Check out my blog and let me know what you think. CavalierandCotton.blogspot.com Thanks man.
interesting stuff
Christian
http://www.stylesage.co.uk
“Please keep in mind that these are not costumes; the styling in these images is not meant to be 100% accurate for the decade. Rather, these are contemporary looks inspired by the said time period”
R.I.F.
Wow so quick to criticize.
The fits are not accurate for the time period. Tapered slacks in the 70′s? Come on man, it was polyester bell bottoms back then
The shoot seemed like it was fun!! Great outfits as always!
I hope you and your readers stop by my fashion website!!
http://lavish-livez.com/blog
I’m pretty sure he was just going for “inspired” looks, not “authentic recreations.” The look he is wearing he could wear (and does, I assume) today and still look stylish, but it has elements incorporating and reminiscent of the 90s hip hop era.
This is awesome it is so well done….showcases what it important in fashion relating it to history, with a sense of humor and flair.
Damn man, looks good, seems like it took a lot of effort to make this.
I would be interested to know the source of the information that the US had clothing rationing in the 1930s. It certainly had war rationing of clothes in the 1940s, and not many people had money to buy new clothes in the 30s, but the latter (a product of austerity) isn’t technically rationing.
Nice work. I especially like the military style outfit with these Corcoran jump boots.
http://www.styleformodernmen.com
The thing about you….effortless! Each look is so different, so indicative of the period, yet no caricature nor costume at all. Thank you for this forum for a guy who grew up in a place where guys didn’t care about such details. I hope I can reach your level of effortless-ness in my own personal style. Thanks for the help!
@ DCRob
“Please keep in mind that these are not costumes; the styling in these images is not meant to be 100% accurate for the decade. Rather, these are contemporary looks inspired by the said time period.”
I failed to mention above, that the 70s peacock look is so very english inspired and by far my favorite. I enjoy all the looks, but this one speaks volumes!
All these looks are great, the 20s, 30s, 50s, 60s, looks I especially enjoy. I believe that the eighties look would have been great with a dressed punk look, but other than that, there is always someting to take away from your posts. Keep posting, I will continue reading.
I love how you so easily pull of so many looks!
This is the best post you’ve ever done, I must say, because it’s just so fun. Mind you, don’t stray from the advice, but I like the change of pace.
Also, the cardboard and boom box is early 80′s too. I think a 90′s grunge pic would have been better, IMO.
All the era’s on point minus the 90′s hip-hop. The jacket needs to be a satin Starter jacket (bulls, yankees, cowboys, or the U). The jeans are waayyyy too tight for that era, every pair was baggy. I do not know anyone that wore an oxford shirt either, needed to be a tee. Hat passes, but a snap-back hat was the true hip hop hat back in that era. You’re nike blazers are from the 80′s, you needed J’s or Air Force 1′s. And NO WATCH, beepers gave us our time back then. Not trying to be picky, that was the true style of that era. You have more of a 50′s school boy look…maybe it’s the jacket????
Hey SB,
I’ve been a follower since before you “blew up” and I have to say I think this is your best post to date.
~ Travis
I’m intrigued by the quality of the execution of this. You amaze me, from your picture quality to your font choice. Great detailing.
It’s funny to think like this but aren’t you born to be The Style Blogger?
Epic inspiration.
Arguably your best work ever. Respect!
Awesome post as always. Where in the city did you get the bracelets in the picture from the 70s? Been wanting some like that.
How different everything looks when all clothes are perfectly fitted. Your blog is very good inspiration for me.
Greetings from Poland
Great work!!!
Awesome. Super cool post. I love this blog
So many styles and my style is a combo of
the 1950s and 2000s.
Why dont you start calling me Gordon?!
Great Post!
Very well done! Not sure if this is actually for school (or an exerpt from a project), but it is definitely a great outline for a school dissertation. Flawlessly executed.
Amazing Dan.. Loving every bit of this post especially the rugged workers and prep/ivy look.. speechless
there are a lot of blogs about style out there but you’re stuff is on another level
Sweet post SB! Your prep looks like he’s about to get dunked on =)
This just shows how versatile and deep your wardrobe really is. Also, I spy a leather braces trend emerging..
Wow, you really outdid yourself this time Dan. This post is excellent and an inspiration.
The best post i’ve ever seen here! Amazing!
And congratulations for your work in blog, it’s simple and effective at same time.
nice work sb.
Intense my man! Great work. Interested to see part two, your interpretation of the future of menswear.
Great Post you broke down all the various style from the different era’s in history, clever indeed I also have a blog that captures simplicity and elegance-we believe in originality. We range in style and showcase talented, creative individuals who strive and live to be original. http://www.simplebutelegant.blogspot.com
Very clever. Well done.
Just wanted to let you know that I saw this post yesterday around midnight, and I see a ton of “test” posts on Google Reader.
Definitely a well detailed post. I am wondering where are the quotes from? All of them are spot on with the decades you represented
LOVE IT
WOW…….Theres no comment needed #enuffsaid
My favorite is the ‘grease-y rebel’. But they are all really well thought out and executed.
I FRIGGIN LOVE THIS POST!
haha that really was a great post and i loved how you hit every decade. i will definitely be referring to this post in the future.
i can definetly appreciate the research and writing that went into this. every look is really good except the the “hip-hop” look. i am a hip hop kid myself and from following your blog i know you are as well but that jacket and soft button-down looks more “Glee” than Jay-Z.
speechless.