Welcome to The Ivy League Look

This blog presents a historical view through articles, photographs, reminiscences, and advertisements, of an American style of men's fashion of the mid-20th century known as "The Ivy League Look" or "The Ivy Look."

This blog will not present modern-day iterations of this "look"; it will be shown in its original context as an American style worn during this specific era. Author commentary will be kept to a minimum.

This is not a commercial site and links to commercial sites will not be posted.

April 28, 2009

Dull clothes suit them fine


"Brooks Brothers' darkest hour (that's probably a poor choice of words) came in the mid- and late '50s when a terrible thing happened to its line of men's clothing. It became popular.

Even though the economy was booming, men's clothing took a conservative tack that was almost funereal in cut and tone. The Ivy League. Everything was charcoal.

The narrow-lapeled, three-button suit with its unpadded shoulders and a buckle in the back of the trousers. Flaring button-down collars on oxford cloth shirts. Gleaming cordovan shoes and "old school" neckties in paisley prints and regimental stripes. Heavy woolen crew-neck sweaters worn under Shetland sportcoats. Even Chesterfield coats."
...
"Dull. No. Not really. Because I can't remember a time in my life when men's fashions looked any better. Maybe someday the Ivy look will return - maybe in a hundred years or so. In the meantime, I guess we can safely leave it in the custody of Brooks Brothers."


Source:

Tom Hritz, Pittsburgh Post Gazette - p. 3 - 6/30/83

Photo source:

The Trad - 11/16/08

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