The London Lounge

Its barbecue weather here in London and roasting in the pits are the citizens of this lovely city. Which leads me to take up the subject of ultra Summer chic 1939 style. Here are a few examples for you.



This one will thrill the hearts of fans of the Duke/Astaire DB and it very well should because it has significant levels of charm. Imagine the coat made unlined in Navy Irish linen or fresco. Matched with linen bermudas, looks a winner.



One thing I like about these chaps is that they always have a cool drink in their hands. Loafers worn sans socks can be a pleasure in Summer as long as the things fit, make sure they are bespoke. Linen trousers cut high and with no break look smart. Button a few more buttons on that Madras shirt and things would be near perfect.



Some of us may not be entirely convinced by the ballerina slippers in this example. But the blue shorts look good. Its seems as though one of our friends has rustled himself up a cold beer and is trying to avoid looking at the dainty slippers.



Three button, neckerchief and pipe...that's the way its done! Note that in each coat picture, only one button on the sleeve. This was the way more casual jackets were done and it has a distinct appeal.

Keep cool Gents!

Wonderful pictures Michael!

Happily I have a few of those pieces myself, namely linen coats and some assorted shorts such as the Ghurkas in the last photo. The 'ballerina' type espadrilles can still be bought (my wife purchased a pair from Longchamps), but I would much much rather prefer the plain type.

Great pictures, thanks! I, too am a great fan of the esparille. Here in the States, I wear them as house slippers in the summer. They also went to the beach with me.

T4phage: Where does one find ghurka shorts? Or are you having them made?

Here's to that tall cool drink in hand.

CCox

Great pictures from the golden age of menswear.

The clothes and attitudes are a refreshing break from the usual vacation and leisure wear seen in the USA, i.e., T-shirt and shorts and sneakers.

Cheers.

ccox wrote: T4phage: Where does one find ghurka shorts? Or are you having them made?

CCox

Hi CCox,
I have 3 pairs, two are bespoke and one I bought in a military surplus store in the UK. From the website of Bill's Khakis http://www.khakis.com they are offering a Ghurka, but it has a surplus 'cargo' pocket on one side and looks a bit short.

Jan

Cheers, thanks Jan.

Not sure I'm a fan of the cargo pocket on the Bill's. I don't mind the length too much. Bill's makes a good product, but it sounds like I need to accelerate my quest for a local tailor.

Chris

Mark, yes a few great looks from yesteryear. And compared to todays fashion it may look eccentric. That's because fashion inevitably strays while elegance remains immutable.

Years and years ago, Banana Republic used to carry Ghurka shorts. I had a pair but haven’t seen them in a while. I would not be shocked to hear that they were disposed of.

Bill's Khakis has Ghurka shorts on their website:

http://www.billskhakis.com/shop/shorts_gurkha.html

But I'm not certain about the cargo pocket-was that part of the orignal design ?

I had a pair of Banana Republic ghurka shorts until I wore them out/outgrew them. They didn't have a cargo pocket. Shame they don't still carry them. Then again, I don't have quite the same frame I did in high school.

Michael, for me, remaining elegant (and not fat and dumpy-looking) in hot weather is the greatest sartorial challenge.

brescd01,

That is the trick isn't it? I've just been leafing through a book of Lartigue's Riviera photographs from the 1920s-1960s. Mon. Lartigue must weigh all of 120 pounds soaking wet (that kind of thin will always be a basis for elegance. Alas, it eludes my sincere efforts.) He hasa wonderful summer uniform and stands out from the other folks in the photos as an elegant being. He inevitably wears white linen trousers, a white loose cut shirt, and a shawl collar knit cardigan in cooler weather. The deep tan and ever-present dazzling white smile adds to his appearance of well-being and relaxation. The text claims that he wore espadrilles. Most of the photos show him in canvas shoes (white, of course.) In the evenings, the book mentions a gardenia in his buttonhole and patent leather shoes in which he danced all night. So we assume that he was at least indinner clothes. He described his happy life as being that of a "penniless millionaire."

I think that I shall try and follw his lead, at least at the weekends, and adopt the summer whites, tanned face and carefree attitude. Cherchez l'elegance!

CCox

Does anyone know anyway, besides going to Madrid, to get their most famous espadrilles, from Casa Hernanz?

Could anyone point me in the direction of a supplier of good madras cottons in London? I have an excellent shirt maker (Sean O'Flynn) but am in search of some madras fabric.

Michael, it seems the second image is missing from your post.