The Duke's Innovations

[Connemara]

I thought it would be in good fun to assemble a list of the numerous fashions the Duke of Windsor created. They don't necessarily need to be new norms...any variation of an old sartorial tradition is, technically, new. I'll start:

• Suede shoes in town.
  
• Black bowtie with a dinner suit (as opposed to white).
  
• The abandonment of braces and the acceptance of belts.

 

[Will]

Originally Posted by Connemara

I thought it would be in good fun to assemble a list of the numerous fashions the Duke of Windsor created. They don't necessarily need to be new norms...any variation of an old sartorial tradition is, technically, new. I'll start:

• Suede shoes in town.
  
• Black bowtie with a dinner suit (as opposed to white).
  
• The abandonment of braces and the acceptance of belts.

He popularized the turndown collar shirt with a dinner jacket. He was not responsible for the black bow tie.

Add Fair Isle sweaters, boater hats, glen checked suits, flannel chalk striped suits, backless dress waistcoats, and the tab collar shirt.

 

[LabelKing]

He also eschewed spats. After the Duke of Windsor appeared without spats at the Ascot, thousands of spats were found abandoned in the grass.

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by Will

He popularized the turndown collar shirt with a dinner jacket. He was not responsible for the black bow tie.

Add Fair Isle sweaters, boater hats, glen checked suits, flannel chalk striped suits, backless dress waistcoats, and the tab collar shirt.

No, it's a fact that the Duke was responsible for popularizing the wearing of a black bow with dinner dress. White bows were a holdover from Brummell's era of the heavily starched white cravats.

 

[LabelKing]

Also shawl collared dinner jackets as well as the midnight blue color for evening wear.

 

[johninla]

Speaking of 'Duke'... Is he the best dressed man of the century? Who else would be on the list?
Cary Grant

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by johninla

Speaking of 'Duke'... Is he the best dressed man of the century? Who else would be on the list? Cary Grant
I'd say the Duke is probably tops. Others, off the top of my head...Agnelli, Cary Grant, Prince Charles, Fred Astaire, Gary Cooper, Noel Coward, Prince Philip in his younger days, Prince Michael of Kent. There are dozens more...

 

[horton]

Not sure if properly attributed to him, but what about the more predominant use of patterns. He seemed to be really into such

 

[Ivan Kipling]

He and his wife, Wallis, used to polish the soles of their shoes, in case they were photographed with their legs, crossed. Wallis dressed well, too . . . although she was into the latest and the greatest.

 

[kitonbrioni]

Great thread about an icon developing his own style and being a style role model.

 

[LabelKing]

However, the Duke of Windsor was an undeniably self-conscious person who tended to be a little too precious at times. He lacked the natural elan of say, Agnelli or ironically, the hauteur of Sir Cecil Beaton.

 

[Full Canvas]

 

[Ivan Kipling]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

However, the Duke of Windsor was an undeniably self-conscious person who tended to be a little too precious at times. He lacked the natural elan of say, Agnelli or ironically, the hauteur of Sir Cecil Beaton.
Agree. Wallis may have contributed some, to the Duke's condition. She slapped him around in public, engaged in an 'affair' of sorts with Barbara Hutton's first cousin, and generally treated the Duke of Windsor, like garbage. Simpson never forgave the Duke for not being able to put her over, as Queen of England. Another, great love fest.

 

[texas_jack]

I've read a little about the Duke and it would seem he was a rather vapid fellow and quite ignorant. It makes it hard for me to appreciate his style. This picture kills me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Nazi_Windsors.jpg

 

[Ivan Kipling]

I think you're right. Wallis castrated him, in public. And, Hitler thought Wallis would make, 'the perfect queen.'