Cream Double Breasted 1920s 'Palm Beach' suit ...

[Two Types]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-192...pt=Vintage_Men_s_Clothing&hash=item2c65935216

If there are any of you out there with a 31 inch waist and 38 inch chest, this might be the suit for you.

 

[herringbonekid]

in my mind this suit could look like this:

... but in a modern context, would i just look like a sleazy resort pimp ?

 

[Chasseur]

I know your dilemma. I do love summer resort dress wear: brown and white spectators, panama hats, cream jackets, bright colored accessories (ties, pocket squares, a daring shirt), etc.

But it can be hard to do in a modern setting. Especially since I am part Peurto Rican. I have get the combination right otherwise I can look like a stock character from a film: either unsuccesful cabana gigalo or a Colombian drug lord's flunkie.

I think I'm doing this:

While everyone sees:

 

[herringbonekid]

exactly. that Travolta suit has a lot to answer for (usually whatever is the most current version - of any given 'look' -in the public consciousness is the one that prevails).

 

[sknight]

I know your dilemma. I do love summer resort dress wear: brown and white spectators, panama hats, cream jackets, bright colored accessories (ties, pocket squares, a daring shirt), etc.

But it can be hard to do in a modern setting. Especially since I am part Peurto Rican. I have get the combination right otherwise I can look like a stock character from a film: either unsuccesful cabana gigalo or a Colombian drug lord's flunkie.

I think I'm doing this:

While everyone sees:

Yep, the Travolta pic ruined it for me. The suit's a little small for me anyway.

 

[Mario]

And that's why I'm so happy that I found a PB suit in a different, darker color...

 

[Edward]

Eh, I stopped caring what the mundanes think a long time ago. The only thing that worries me around a white suit is a red wine.

 

[Mario]

Seats in the metro are also a constant cause for worries, at least here in Berlin.

 

[Two Types]

I think it's a suit to save for the right event, in the perfect place - then you can get away with it. A summer garden party, an outdoor wedding .... and so on. Not a suit for everyday in the city.

If anyone ever invites me to a party on a yacht - I know I will want to be wearing that suit.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

It's the pure-whiteness of the typical palm beach suit that jars. With even a little hint of ecru, these would be as wearable as any other linen-coloured linen suit. I have considered dyeing one of mine, but don't have the guts to try.

I own two, and only wear them as separates. I think single breasted is more versatile than double. Less uniformy. Less Ice Cream Salesman.

bk

 

[Chasseur]

I own two, and only wear them as separates. I think single breasted is more versatile than double. Less uniformy. Less Ice Cream Salesman.

That is a good point. I used to have a DB seersucker suit but with light brown instead of blue contrasting stripes. The trousers and jacket as separates were great, but together... er.. not so good.

 

[Edward]

Seats in the metro are also a constant cause for worries, at least here in Berlin.

Yes, I don't tend to dit down on the tube much in light hued anything... and I stick to machine washable in white trousers.

It's the pure-whiteness of the typical palm beach suit that jars. With even a little hint of ecru, these would be as wearable as any other linen-coloured linen suit. I have considered dyeing one of mine, but don't have the guts to try.

I own two, and only wear them as separates. I think single breasted is more versatile than double. Less uniformy. Less Ice Cream Salesman.

bk

I think it'd the very full on nature of the DB jacket in that look that appeals to me.... but then my 'go to' mental image for a suit like this is Leopold Bloom (see courtroom sequence, 2005 musical version of The Producers) - sb, if memory serves, but I think of that rather than any of the negatives above. Oddly, I think I'd actually be more likely to think twice about seersucker all over than white, at least in a hue other than blue.