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Thrift Thread Fits: Formal Wear

landshark

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May I ask from where?


Ebay. They were total chance. I was planning on spending many times more, and came across this one. It was pretty much the only 36R tailcoat on eBay that wasn't a cheap rental type.
 

CesarC

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Thanks to everyone so far for their contributions. I accidentally neglected to mention formal day wear since I didn't even think to include it (how often does one thrift a morning coat?), but how could I forget Orgetorix's stellar wedding fit?! Dreamspace, that is a beautiful fit, high button stance notwithstanding. Oh, and landshark, as a fellow 36R I am jealous! Great stuff, everyone! Looking forward to more, especially since someone just posted a well-fitting tux they just thrifted...

Keep it up, fellas!
 

Snoogz

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I have some Photo's I could contribute to recently...Just waiting for some pics to populate from the formal wedding I just attended.


Great Thread btw! I just hope it doesn't die out! keep it alive!
 

aravenel

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Orgetorix wins this thread.

I'm going to have to start trolling ebay for tails soon. Any tips? I've gotten pretty decent at looking for suits/SCs, but eBay has a whole separate section for formalwear, most of which seems to be crappy polyester stuff.
 
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FillW

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Superb outfits! Thank you for sharing these pics. At the risk of asking an indiscreet question, is it possible to get a white tie outfit now from where you did?

I have a coupla fits I can contribute here. *cracks knuckles*

First: Formal daywear, circa 2006:
'50s morning coat & trousers: Ebay
Vintage vest: Ebay
Shirt: Modern, from a clergy supply store IIRC
Collar: Ede & Ravenscroft? Can't remember.
Tie: Discount store; can't remember brand
Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, thrifted by me
Hat: Borrowed

Oh yeah, and wife's dress = borrowed.
icon_gu_b_slayer[1].gif


Ceremony_2006-12-16_208.jpg

morning_dress.jpg



tophat2.jpg




White tie and tails, circa 2013:
'50s Hickey Freeman tails & trousers: Thrifted by me
Vintage boiled-front shirt: Ebay
Collar: Ede & Ravenscroft
Tie: From a dancewear supply shop, of all places
Waistcoat: ex-rental outlet
Studs & cufflinks: Krementz, thrifted by me
Hat: Ebay
Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, thrifted by me

Wife's flapper outfit = rented

E0D39309-F9B6-4CF6-87C1-433B5126E057-7049-000002E401A6DEB9.jpg



E3080E9A-0AA4-4DCA-8E68-7185F04F5747-7049-000002E90390BFB9.jpg

You look like a Hollywood movie star in that first pic!
icon_gu_b_slayer[1].gif

Bought on Ebay. Can't remember brand, but it's a wool and mohair mix. Was NWT and retailed for 500$ or something, been packed away since NYE.

Followed with a silk PS, pre-tied bowtie and shirt (not the one in the picture, but it's a normal cotton, hidden placket shirt)
Paid 60$...no alterations.

Wish the button stance had been a bit lower, and armholes higher, other than that I'm pleased with it!


700
That outfit looks awesome!
icon_gu_b_slayer[1].gif
 

Orgetorix

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Orgetorix wins this thread.

I'm going to have to start trolling ebay for tails soon. Any tips? I've gotten pretty decent at looking for suits/SCs, but eBay has a whole separate section for formalwear, most of which seems to be crappy polyester stuff.


Shop the vintage section. Vintage will always be better made, and unlike everyday suits, there's a lot of vintage formalwear still around in good condition because it wasn't worn as much.
 

aravenel

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Shop the vintage section. Vintage will always be better made, and unlike everyday suits, there's a lot of vintage formalwear still around in good condition because it wasn't worn as much.


Thanks, will make sure to keep my searches there.

Are you searching for specific manufacturers, or are you just browsing? So many old manufacturers that it makes it much harder to tell what's quality and what is garbage.
 

Orgetorix

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Thanks, will make sure to keep my searches there.

Are you searching for specific manufacturers, or are you just browsing? So many old manufacturers that it makes it much harder to tell what's quality and what is garbage.


Just browse, and look for stuff roughtly pre-1960. Tails were well on their way out by the early '60s anyway, so most will be before that. You won't recognize most of the brands, and the few you might recognize will be better quality than they are today. Botany 500, for example, was very good in the '30s/'40s but devolved to crap in the '70s/'80s/'90s. You'd have to spend $3K+ today to get the equivalent quality of 1930s Hart, Schaffner, & Marx.
 
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aravenel

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Just browse, and look for stuff roughtly pre-1960. Tails were well on their way out by the early '60s anyway, so most will be before that. You won't recognize most of the brands, and the few you might recognize will be better quality than they are today. Botany 500, for example, was very good in the '30s/'40s but devolved to crap in the '70s/'80s/'90s. You'd have to spend $3K+ today to get the equivalent quality of 1930s Hart, Schaffner, & Marx.


Thanks, will give it a shot. I suppose the upside is that something old can't have been fused, so assuming it's in good condition and fits, it's likely to be decently made.
 
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FillW

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Most of us seldom have the opportunity to dress up in black-tie or white-tie. As a consequence, formal fit pics in the thrift/discount thread are fairly rare.

In the interest of comparing and sharing and maybe striking up a bit of competitive spirit, I thought it would be nice to compile formal thrift/discount fit pics here. Who knows -- maybe this can provide a nice compendium from which to nominate for yearly formal thrift fit awards, similar to the cheapies? The great diversity of styles and tastes in the brag thread showcases SW&D and MC and everything in between, but the more confined scope of formal wear provides a unique opportunity for comparison. Regardless of competition, feel free to post your best black-tie or white-tie thrift/discount fit pics!

Only rule: At least one visible formalwear item must have been thrifted or bought on deep discount, either by you or by a fellow member who traded or hooked you up. Please state which items in the fit are thrifted / discounted, so we can appreciate.


-------------------------------

I guess I'll start with one I'll likely have a hard time topping, from December 2012:

LL



Details
Jacket: Bespoke Japanese-made smoking jacket, thrifted by Ruben
PS: Century 21
Studs, links & tie: Free, store was closing
Yeah, that jacket is also pretty OTT. I'd wear it (to certain clubs, that is...).
happy.gif



FWIW- I've been noting that there have been a lot of formal jackets in local thrift shops. Maybe I should look more closely at them. I could use a sharp one.
 
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IRKSM

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I may never get tired of that shot of you in the morning coat. That fit is perfect.
+1 orgetorix is a master of fit

Bought on Ebay. Can't remember brand, but it's a wool and mohair mix. Was NWT and retailed for 500$ or something, been packed away since NYE.

Followed with a silk PS, pre-tied bowtie and shirt (not the one in the picture, but it's a normal cotton, hidden placket shirt)
Paid 60$...no alterations.

Wish the button stance had been a bit lower, and armholes higher, other than that I'm pleased with it!
I was feeling okay about my current set up which is also very classically styled but this blows mine out of the water (mine has lower button stance though
biggrin.gif
)

I actually just dropped mine off at the tailor earlier today for a ton of interesting alterations besides just fit such as covering the buttons in black grosgrain
my online mtm formal shirt should be here in a couple of days and if I can find some solid braces on ebay I should be able to post within the next two weeks, and after that some follow up pictures of my date and I at senior ball (I am happy my shawl collar has a lapel hole so I won't get stabbed when she tries to put on my boutonniere)

*suggestion* should we start posting prices like on the thrifting contest website that a few thrift thread members won/entered

also it would be nice to get shots of footwear
 
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