1955 Men's Suit--KW?

MyVintageCocktail

MyVintageCocktail

VFG Member
1955 Men\'s Suit--KW?

I was saving this for a customer, but it's too big for him, so I'm gonna list it... Photos were taken in a rush for him to preview, so I'll probably re-shoot some, but what to say about it? It's far nicer in person.... Wool & slubbed-silk blend, with a subtle sheen from the silk (which doesn't really show in the photos), cuffed-leg, double-pleated slacks with a watch pocket at waistband & old-fashioned button tab at fly. An "original" Botany 500, Daroff-tailored suit, which are exquisite in workmanship & fabric, not to be confused with the modern-era off-the-rack Botany 500 clothing. And this is in mint condition! Could it be suitable for men's VLV suit? Rat Pack? Is there a term for this fabric/color treatment--it's a dark brown highlighted in silver-grey, with very subtle black pinstripes. I don't list much men's stuff other than ties & overcoats, so I'm at a loss.... Oh, and I'm going to list the tie soon--is this a swing or jazz tie? It's really cool, and about the same era, or earlier, as the suit (I think). TIA!

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Is the suit slightly metallic in any of the threads at all? Or does it just have a very faint sheen?

The black/silver/brown combo that is sort of a heathered look but not...I don't know the name for that but its very common...done in different hues but the same multicolor from close, solid from far, idea.

I would show a shot of the inner construction of the pants. Guys like to see it and it and some are particular specific about the pant construction...it is not just all about the jacket. That is they main part of the suit that isn't "made like it used to be" and can help them verify in their minds the dates as well. A shot showing the inside of the zipper area including any inner buttons, etc. I will have to look around and see if i have any more inside shots for examples.

Does the suit have a union tag hidden in any pockets..sometimes at a pocket seam? and is the tailor's tag dated? I would also scan or photo the labels.

Also, I would put "3 button" for sure in the title. I would indicate that they have pocket flaps as some guys seek them out and search, some don't like them.
 
Thanks, Chris! Yes, the paper tag is intact with the date, 5-2-55, and the Amalgamated Worker's label. Very hard to get a shot of these as they are hidden in the inside of the wallet pocket (I've figured out, finally, where to find these tags!). And the word "heathery" did cross my mind, but the look is not quite as soft as that. The silvery-grey threads, while not actually metallic like a lurex thread, do give this a somewhat metallic sheen, but again, it is subtle. The button tab on the fly is really neat--nothing like what I've seen on newer slacks, and the crotch area is reinforced, for lack of a better word, with the lining fabric at the front of the seam and along the upper few inches of the inside leg seams. I would think this is to keep the wear between the legs at a minimum. Would those be the sorts of things to mention and/or photograph? the jacket has the old 3/4 lining in a shadow-striped rayon or acetate. Also, this size is hard to find, a 39 short, but if a guy who takes that size sees it, it would be a great find.
 
Yes, show the button tab on the fly. The shot of the inside of the pants showing the inside area where the zipper is - is a good idea to show and mention. (it will also give them the hint that it is lined other places too.

I would list the actual chest measurement as well as the size of that differs. I would also measure how much seam allowance you have for the waist, measure the pants, then mention how much seam allowance there is to lengthen the pants if need be.

I would mention to them that the thread has a subtle metallic sheen somewhere in the description.

If you can't get a clear shot of the tailor's tag, i would open that pocket up as wide as i could and get a shot even if a little blurry...so they can see that its "there". And i would still get a shot of the regular makers label. Guys like to see that.

I will try to think of anything else...

this might seem like a lot of stuff, but the more you put...and put a BIN on it too...the better off you are. On full suits BINs can make em bite because they are rarer than just jackets that get seperated a lot. Brown won't go as high as a sharkskin, lets say, but it could still turn out nice for that right guy.
 
Deborah, the BIN is eBay's "Buy-It-Now feature, whereby you can put both an opening bid for regular auction and a BIN price if somebody wants it right away. Or you can just do fixed-price listings with BIN; no bidding.

Chris, I will get shooting those other things; I never would have thought to shoot the inside of the slacks, but I sure will! I do always give the actual measurements of the garment, and I have measured the hem allowance on these. These slacks have a large waist for a 39 size suit (35"), so there's not much "let out" in these, but a very easy fix to take in, which would be the most likely alteration somebody would need! Thanks!

Oh, and I was thinking of using VLV or rat pack in title/description. Is this appropriate for this suit? To me, the slightly baggy, pleated cuffed slacks & color of this suit is reminiscent of those.... But, then again, with the watch pocket, this also makes me think of Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy--a movie star suit!
 
Actually, on a guy, the pants wouldn't be extremely baggy...they would just lay nicely.

Its the right era for things for VLV but not sure if it would be flashy or showy enough for the event. Its less Ricky Ricardo and a little more conservative because of the color, etc. But it still could very well be just the thing for a guy, esp if they are a hard to find size.

I might list it as "VLV" and "Hepcat". If it doesn't go for VLV I might also later put the "Swing" angle in there. The guys who are more into "Swing" versus rockabilly are a bit more consistently dapper. mid 50s would probably be on the real real tail end of stuff they look for and would work for them. I don't know if i would use both because traditionally rockabilly and swing types consider the other poor step cousins. There are folks into both, but for the most part, they don't like being confused with eachother.

hmm...still got my thinking cap on...
 
Thanks again, Chris! I'm going to be listing this tonight or tomorrow, and have some great shots of the maker's label (the old Daroff raised sword logo was really cool) and of the pocket tag as well as inside of slacks. I think "swing" would be a good term for this, as you're right--not quite flashy enough for VLV! I have the tie listed that I show with the suit (I like them together) and it's getting a lot of attention, so good time to list the suit! (I'm going to also send the listing to my ex-husband--it's his size, last I knew, and would look good on him! Who knows--maybe he'll put in a big bid on it! LOL!)
 
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