Gary Cooper's Jacket, made in 1932

[Frederic Leighton]

Another wonderful gun-club. Food for thought for the LL Cloth Club. Photos and description HERE. Enjoy!

[davidhuh]

Great find Federico!

Cheers, David

[hectorm]

Is it me?, or does the jacket indeed look much better in the black and white pictures?
Maybe it´s just because the form is no competition for Mr. Cooper.

[Frederic Leighton]

Is it me?, or does the jacket indeed look much better in the black and white pictures? Maybe it´s just because the form is no competition for Mr. Cooper.

100% agree with that, but it must be because of the enhanced contrast of B/W photos (photo editing) and the deteriorated contrast of the original jacket (80 years of wearing, cleaning and dry cleaning).

[arch]

I wonder how many of the old fawned over B + W photos enhanced the reality of a rather pedestrian patterns?

[uppercase]

No,the proper conclusion is that the man makes the clothes.

[hectorm]

100% agree with that, but it must be because of the enhanced contrast of B/W photos and the deteriorated contrast of the original jacket.

No,the proper conclusion is that the man makes the clothes.

Well, I think you are both right.
Also notice that the jacket has totally lost its beautiful lapel roll, which I would say is the key element carried so well by Mr. Cooper in the B&W photos.

[ballmouse]

I wonder how many of the old fawned over B + W photos enhanced the reality of a rather pedestrian patterns?

It seems like to me the B&W photos actually show more contrast of the jacket's colors.

[bond_and_beyond]

The tailor is apparently called Basil Durant. A Google search turned up a 1932 issue of the New Yorker with the following quote:

"Basil Durant has the logical notion that a custom tailor might as well make clothes for swimming too, and is tak- ing orders for his own design of flannel shorts ..."

Flannel shorts for swimming? Interesting..

BB

[emc894]

I wonder how many of the old fawned over B + W photos enhanced the reality of a rather pedestrian patterns?

It seems like to me the B&W photos actually show more contrast of the jacket's colors.

I think the base is just yellowed from age.

[alden]

It reminds me a bit of the City Gun Club in a bit larger scale without the blue windowpane.

Would be nice

Cheers

[Melcombe]

An interesting fit. It appears quite roomy around the upper arm. Very comfortable Im sure - it adds quite a degree of top weight to the silhouette which is quite flattering IMHO.

[couch]

That's also a feature of most of the AA / Esky illustrations that isn't much commented on. The piped sleeve doesn't seem to have been much in evidence, especially with a drape cut. I've heard several people comment on the art of feeding a largish sleevehead into a smallish armscye, and I think the combination does give room for movement and adds, as you say, to a silhouette suggesting upper-body mass versus the nipped waist.

[C.Lee]

Yes, a feature both masculine and elegant to the eyes, and comfortable for the wearer. Here is a fine example by Humphrey Bogart:




Regards.