The turn-back sleeve cuffs of Louis Massini

"The brute covers himself, the rich man and the fop adorn themselves, the elegant man dresses!"

-Honore de Balzac

Post Reply
bespokewrinkles
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2016 6:34 am
Contact:

Sat Dec 31, 2016 7:44 pm

In the film Kind Hearts and Coronets, all of the coats worn by Louis Massini share the same signature turn-back sleeve cuff. Unlike a modern "gauntlet cuff", this cuff is turned back over the entire circumference of the sleeve, and the buttonholes are cut right through it.

Image

What is the correct term for this cuff style? Do you think it would work on a modern coat?

Image
Man at C&A
Posts: 216
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:38 pm
Contact:

Sun Jan 01, 2017 1:12 pm

It's simply known as a turn back cuff. I believe applied as a separate piece to the sleeve rather than being a true turn back.

It's something I did at least a couple of times during my youth in the mid 80's when I was taking inspiration from The New Edwardian Look. I have the same on my polo coat, but on a sports coat or suit I'd now regard such an addition as being a bit too dandy.
Noble Savage
Posts: 240
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 8:36 am
Location: State of Nature
Contact:

Sun Jan 01, 2017 8:06 pm

Doesn't look like a true turn back cuff, just a seamed cuff standing in for an 18th century turned back cuff.
bespokewrinkles
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2016 6:34 am
Contact:

Sun Jan 01, 2017 9:45 pm

Noble Savage wrote:Doesn't look like a true turn back cuff, just a seamed cuff standing in for an 18th century turned back cuff.
Do you think it's an extra layer of fabric on top of a full length sleeve, or a detached cuff sewn on to a truncated sleeve?
Noble Savage
Posts: 240
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 8:36 am
Location: State of Nature
Contact:

Thu Jan 05, 2017 12:46 am

bespokewrinkles wrote:Do you think it's an extra layer of fabric on top of a full length sleeve, or a detached cuff sewn on to a truncated sleeve?
It looks like a cuff sewn onto a truncated sleeve to me. Similar button positioning to this plate:

Image
("The Duke of Connaught in a cartoon from 1876.")
hectorm
Posts: 1667
Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2011 2:12 pm
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Fri Jan 06, 2017 8:55 pm

bespokewrinkles wrote: Do you think it would work on a modern coat?
IMO it works very well on overcoat sleeves. I have true turn back double cuffs on a couple of bespoke OCs and also "fake" cuffs (just stitches, not even additions to a truncated sleeve) in a couple of RTW ones. They look very nice adding good balance to the heavy garments.
In the case of worsted suit jackets I tend to agree with Man at C&A. They will make it a bit fuzzy and dandyish, unless the whole piece is cut in Edwardian fashion in which case....who cares.
However, I believe that inconspicuous turn back sleeves could be a good touch for a sport jacket as part of a personalized design.
Post Reply
  • Information
  • Who is online

    Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests