Menswear Nerd Paradise

[livius drusus]

I just stumbled on this blog today and I'm completely hooked: The Suits of James Bond. This guys knows his menswear and then some, I tell you whut. He doesn't just cover suits. Every post is a detailed description of a whole look worn by Bond or Bond-like figures in movies. All the fabrics, styles, cuts, collars, cuffs, vents, breaks, fabrics, knots, everything you've ever obsessed over.

I found it while looking up who designed the classic grey glen plaid suit Cary Grant wore while drinking martinis at the Oak Room and getting chased down by a crop duster in North by Northwest. Matt Spaiser answered that question (Kilgour, French & Stanbury of Savile Row) and about three dozen more I didn't know I had.

[Janet]

I wonder if the dinner jackets are midnight blue instead of black because it photographs better. I can't imagine it being standard in person.

[livius drusus]

It's not anymore, but from the 20s through the 50s it was. Black looks deep and inky under candlelight but artificial light can give it an ashy reflection. Midnight blue doesn't have that grey glare to it so for a while it was de rigeur for the elegant man.

Black came back into high fashion for tuxedos in the 60s and has remained the standard since.

[S.Vashti]

It's an amazing amount of jargon I've never before encountered. I'm really impressed by the narrow focus and detail, and spent nearly an hour reading the blog.

[Ensign Steve]

[livius drusus]

Me three, only it was more than an hour. It's given me a whole new appreciation for bespoke tailoring. The sheer amount of detailed knowledge necessary blows my mind.