A recent voxsart tumblr post.

[culverwood]

Why should we believe that drawings in magazines in the 20's and 30's are any different to photos on fashion magazines today. A stylish man in London or New York would probably never have worn the more dandyish ensembles drawn just as they would not wear most of the clothes shown today on the stick thin effeminate models in fashion magazines.

[Luca]

On the whole, Culverwood, I take your point. There are two key differences, however, between contemporary fashion spreads and 1920s-30s fashion plates:
First, the magazines of that era purported to show how real-life, elegant, elite men dressed, while current fashion is built around what designers think we should wear.
Second, in the earlier period, the ultimate aspiration as to look like a prosperous, adult male; whereas nowadays the message seem to be "androgynous waif".
One last thing: I think that many of the casual outfits in the Esky images are eminently adaptable, even for gents who get hives at the notion of being branded 'retro'.

[davidhuh]

One last thing: I think that many of the casual outfits in the Esky images are eminently adaptable, even for gents who get hives at the notion of being branded 'retro'.

Dear Luca,

agree with you especially on this point. Well tailored, well fitting casual wear is equally timeless as good classical suiting.

Cheers, David

[couch]

Amen, brother.

[alden]

First, the magazines of that era purported to show how real-life, elegant, elite men dressed, while current fashion is built around what designers think we should wear.
Second, in the earlier period, the ultimate aspiration as to look like a prosperous, adult male; whereas nowadays the message seem to be "androgynous waif".
One last thing: I think that many of the casual outfits in the Esky images are eminently adaptable, even for gents who get hives at the notion of being branded 'retro'.

Excellent.

[Costi]

UC, since I know how much you are fond of pictures (though, to me, you don't appear shy with words, either!), here is my dowdy self - some years ago, admittedly - in rather dated '30-ish casual attire a la Esky / HRH & Co. :





If I could still get into those trousers , I assure you I'd still wear them today.

[uppercase]

No, I don't see anything dowdy about these 2 outfits at all.
Nor particularly retro.
That's because the trousers are beautifully cut and fitted in a timeless style to my eye.

…and while the trousers are timeless, unfortunately one's physique is not and so let me tell you about a sure fire diet I heard about…