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.

November 5, 2009

Well Suited for the White House, 1961



(click each to enlarge)

"As the fashion designers noted with dismay, his business suits fail to conform to current Ivy League fashion in several respects."

"The Kennedy suit is, says Harris, "modern conservative." There is no padding in the shoulders, partly because padding is no longer in style but mainly because the President is broad-shouldered and needs none. The jackets have two buttons instead of the usual three because John Kennedy prefers to wear them that way (and also, says Sam Harris, because Sam Harris prefers to make them that way). Recent reports indicate that two-button suits are coming back into style anyhow, probably owing to the President's example. Harris insists that the presidential lapels are neither too wide nor too narrow; they are, he says, "medium conservative." They are definitely not in the skinny Ivy League mode, however. Neither are the trousers, which are just slightly on the narrow side."

Source:

LIFE magazine - 10/13/61



Source:

Reading (PA) Eagle - 3/31/63

5 comments:

Richard M said...

JFK also had suits made for him by Chipp-consult Paul Winston's blog.

Old School said...

Yet another amazing find!

Thank you.

heavy tweed jacket said...

This was a very enjoyable read. I like the "medium-conservative" lapels bit. Great post.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this information. I had been looking for this type of info for a number of years and it was great to finally find it. You have a great blog! Mike

Anonymous said...

Fascinating read.. ! would love to see that Pt Boat clip.