The Soft Bloom of Scottish Wools, Norman Hilton

Norman Hilton, 1959

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Source:

The New Yorker - 3/28/59

Norman Hilton, 1968

Ivy League Forum, 1956

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 "I prefer the Ivy League because it has become high fashion. It is the radical look of today. It's the only way the radical dresser can go today."

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"My understanding of Ivy League as a boy was certain groups of schools. Period. Nothing to do with clothing. Now it suddenly has been developed and enlarged upon. It is a way of clothing we have been using for well over 100 years. We are stuck with it. Now the country has gone mad. Somebody latches on to a term and they call it the Ivy League. They can't very well call it the 'Brooks.'"

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"Whether to stick to authentic Ivy League is an individual problem. Some of us are faddists, some traditional Ivy Leaguers. Whichever it is is unimportant. The important thing is that we promote whatever we think Ivy League is. In the shirt field what is authentic Ivy League? An unlined collar and shirt with a button at the back. In oxford it is yarn dyed. It is a checked broadcloth, but it can't be a pink check, it has got to be red. In colored oxford it can't be mint or olive it has to be avocado. Maybe the guy who wears just the white shirt with the traditional Ivy Suit wouldn't be caught dead with a  red oxford shirt but both are in the category of Ivy League..."

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"The real Ivy League customer never went to the black or charcoal. He had deep tone suits, the Oxford gray. He had his navy blue in unfinished worsted for dressy occasions, possibly an olive shade for every day events. He may have clear cuts, also multi-colored tweeds. At an informal cocktail party this same guy might wear his chino trousers with a nice sport coat. The same fellow might have the smoking jacket, the cocktail type of clothing Brooks has gotten so much publicity on."

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"There is always a place for the double-breasted with the natural shoulders, flap pockets, tailored lapels."

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"The natural shoulder can be applied to either the two or three button coats or to the double breasteds, it is a philosophy of life."

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"We just don't want it misused; it's too good a thing. It isn't a fad, it is just (for most) a new concept of clothing. Why do people buy Cadillacs? Because they are different, outstanding. Hitch your wagon to a star, why not? But keep it straight, don't foul it up because it will be here for a long time."

Source:

Men's Wear - 2/10/56

Blazer Silk, Norman Hilton, 1957

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Source:

The New Yorker - 5/18/57

Country Clothes, Norman Hilton

Source: The New Yorker (early 1960s) via Men of Habit

Doing One Thing Well, 1960

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Source:

The New Yorker - 10/15/60

Norman Hilton, 1962

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"The larger notch, more rounded front and longer hook vent are our own design. All seams are lapped and the trousers are unpleated, of course."

Source:

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - 5/16/62

Norman Hilton, 1963

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Source:

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - 5/11/63