The London Lounge

The September issue of Town&Country offers an extended exceprts from “Cary Grant: A Celebration of Style,” by Richard Torregrossa.

Beyond the usual assemblage of biographical history, they offer up some sartorial facts and decisions made by Grant that were new to me and perhaps of some novel use to fellow Lounge members.

- Years of acrobatics had over-developed Grant’s neck. Measuring 17 ½ inches, his “fat neck” was the cause of initial dismissal by the studios. He quickly moved to custom shirts with a high collar and often wore an ascot to disguise his neck.

- Quote from Stephen Lachter (former manager of Hawes & Curtis, London): “I got a phone call one day, and the voice on the other end said, ‘God morning, this is Cary Grant. I am going to send you an evening shirt that I would like a new neckband put on. Is that okay?’ I said, ‘Yes’” When the shirt arrived, Lachter was amazed. “The label in our shirt had the old Prince of Wales coat of arms on it, which meant that the shirt was actually made before Edward VIII became king, probably around 1934 or ’35. Yes, He really did send me a forty-year-old shirt to repair!”

- A quote from Grant on shoes, “My father told me, ‘If you can’t afford good shoes, don’t buy any. If you can afford one, pair buy black. If two pair, one black, one brown. But they must be good. Because even when they are old, they will always be seen to be good shoes.”

- According to the article, he purchased his suits and overcoats at Aquascutum, and shirts at: Hawes & Curtis, Schiapareilli, and Dunhill. Cashmere sweaters purchased at N. Peal.

- Cologne was either Creed's Green Irish Tweed or New Mown Hay purchased at Floris.

- They point out that the younger Grant wore very dark suits to match his jet-black hair and as he grayed so did his suits.

…

The whole article appears to be excerpted from Torregrossa’s book. I think you may find it interesting.

“…clothes do not make the man; the right clothes make the man.”

Floris New Mown Hay is a scent?

Mooooo.....

According to the excerpt it was an eau de'toilete.

Not in Floris' product line.

Boooo.....

A side note: Stephen Lachter is currently with John Kent at Norton & Son; the two apparently met at Hawes and Curtis and have worked together for a while, including an interlude with Baron Le Chat Mort.

I remember reading elsewhere on the fora that Grant also appeared in suits from Hollywood tailors, and Kilgour has also claimed his custom. Perhaps these were for film appearances.

I must say, one reason I enjoy the Lounge is for its good-natured, light-hearted humor.

E. Tage Larsen wrote:The September issue of Town&Country offers an extended exceprts from “Cary Grant: A Celebration of Style,” by Richard Torregrossa.

Beyond the usual assemblage of biographical history, they offer up some sartorial facts and decisions made by Grant that were new to me and perhaps of some novel use to fellow Lounge members.

- Years of acrobatics had over-developed Grant’s neck. Measuring 17 ½ inches, his “fat neck” was the cause of initial dismissal by the studios. He quickly moved to custom shirts with a high collar and often wore an ascot to disguise his neck.

- Quote from Stephen Lachter (former manager of Hawes & Curtis, London): “I got a phone call one day, and the voice on the other end said, ‘God morning, this is Cary Grant. I am going to send you an evening shirt that I would like a new neckband put on. Is that okay?’ I said, ‘Yes’” When the shirt arrived, Lachter was amazed. “The label in our shirt had the old Prince of Wales coat of arms on it, which meant that the shirt was actually made before Edward VIII became king, probably around 1934 or ’35. Yes, He really did send me a forty-year-old shirt to repair!”

- A quote from Grant on shoes, “My father told me, ‘If you can’t afford good shoes, don’t buy any. If you can afford one, pair buy black. If two pair, one black, one brown. But they must be good. Because even when they are old, they will always be seen to be good shoes.”

- According to the article, he purchased his suits and overcoats at Aquascutum, and shirts at: Hawes & Curtis, Schiapareilli, and Dunhill. Cashmere sweaters purchased at N. Peal.

- Cologne was either Creed's Green Irish Tweed or New Mown Hay purchased at Floris.

- They point out that the younger Grant wore very dark suits to match his jet-black hair and as he grayed so did his suits.

…

The whole article appears to be excerpted from Torregrossa’s book. I think you may find it interesting.

“…clothes do not make the man; the right clothes make the man.”

Thanks for the post—and the kind words. If you liked the excerpt, I think you'll like the book even more. Not a sales pitch. But a sincere observation because the book contains a lot of sartorial/style information that I think has never really been explored concerning CG, just the kind of thing you gents would appreciate. Cheers, Richard Torregrossa, author of CG: A Celebration of Style.

richt wrote: If you liked the excerpt, I think you'll like the book even more. .

When will your book be available, Richard? Is a book tour in the offing? How about a signed copy?

Dear Richard:

Thank you for responding here. I greatly look forward to getting the book. It seemed from the excerpt that there was a LOT of information to be had.

Congratulations on what must have been a labor of love. Any chance of you clearing up the lingering Floris question?

ThomasG wrote:

richt wrote: If you liked the excerpt, I think you'll like the book even more. .

When will your book be available, Richard? Is a book tour in the offing? How about a signed copy?

Books should be available Sept 4th, but you can always pre-order on amazon and from what I hear they've already been fulfilled.In other words, some of you have received books before I have.

But I'm happy to sign copies if the logistics can be overcome. Book tour kicks off after Labor Day in New York City. Mr. Armani in conjunction with Town & Country is throwing the launch party. After that, I'll be wherever I'm invited. I shall keep you posted.

And many thanks for the hospitality shown to me on this site. I'm happy to answer any questions regarding the sartorial habits of CG or share my thoughts on related issues. You guys rock: in a gentlemanly sort of way

E. Tage Larsen wrote:Dear Richard:

Thank you for responding here. I greatly look forward to getting the book. It seemed from the excerpt that there was a LOT of information to be had.

Congratulations on what must have been a labor of love. Any chance of you clearing up the lingering Floris question?

Oh, yeah, sorry about that. The question was, as I recall, why it's hard to find. Is that it? As far as I can tell, New Mown Hay was part of the Floris line but discontinued at some point, which explains why it's not available. But I could be wrong.

But of course Green Irish Tweed by Creed is readily available at their stores and on their web site. I highly recommend it. Women love it and always ask, "What's the scent you're wearing," and I delight in responding "Cary Grant's favorite cologne."

As the author of this book, I've been asked for example of men with style, maybe not icons in the sense of CG, but men who care about such matters and demonstrate their sartorial skill both in private and in public. Jude Law, George Clooney don't quite cut it for me. Andre Benjamin 3000 who made Vanity Fair's best dressed list last year seems to have a real love of clothes as well an understanding of the finer points of style.

Michael Jordan can be dapper.

But help me here. Who today qualifies as a bonafide man of style? Think, think...

As the author of this book, I've been asked for example of men with style, maybe not icons in the sense of CG, but men who care about such matters and demonstrate their sartorial skill both in private and in public. Jude Law, George Clooney don't quite cut it for me. Andre Benjamin 3000 who made Vanity Fair's best dressed list last year seems to have a real love of clothes as well an understanding of the finer points of style.

Michael Jordan can be dapper.

But help me here. Who today qualifies as a bonafide man of style and why? Think, think...