Homburg(er) Time

 The Homburg. The hat that's more formal than a bowler, yet more casual than a top hat. As popular as they were it seems in modern media that they are always cast aside with the fedora getting all the glory. I had bought a black one back in high school for formal days, but only wore it a few times. Last week on a casual browse through one of the big vintage stores I stumbled upon this homburg, probably from the 1950's. I'm always baffled to see big business executives wearing ball caps with their suits instead of these.

Small brimmed homburg, the style harkening back to the homburgs of the '10s-'30s.

Big leather sweatband, no liner and no hatters name anywhere in plain view.

The only clue as to the maker of the hat, narrowing it down to hat company names that end in the letter "O"

 There was also a small car show on Staten Island last weekend. Decent collection, though it seems smaller now after attending the massive car shows at Westbury and Rhinebeck I attended back during the summer.

     
    Two rare cars indeed. Russian imported 1968 and 1962 Volga's. Though while not in the bracket of    "Golden Era" cars, their style is still dated to American cars of the 1953-1956 period.                       

 A 1902 Smith, from the era when of motoring when men sported goggles and 15 miles per hours was speeding. For all you Looney Tunes fans out there, looks almost like the car Dan Backslide commandeered in "The Dover Boys" (1942).

"A runabout. I'll STEAL it! NOONE WILL EVER KNOW!" -Dan Backslide

  1947 Pontiac Torpedo fastback. Love that model name. Why don't cars have cool model names anymore? Enclave? Vibe? Yaris? Taurus? Can't compete with names like Torpedo, Rocket 88, or Adventurer.

                                      A nice mix of atomic era and art deco design on this glorious 1955 Pontiac.

            1955 Cadillac and 1930 Ford model A accented with authentic vintage lawn chairs.

             A stock 1939 Ford Deluxe. One of the few I've seen of these that hasn't been hot rodded.  

 A 1948 Crosley Engine. A forgotten company that was very popular during World War Two. Humphrey Bogart was said to own.

 The delightful art deco 1938 Dodge Sedan. A true work of art. Cars of that era had such character, mostly because the design was from the brain of one designer, instead of a bunch of people throwing ideas at each other like today.

 The unforgettable 1959 Cadillac. They say it has the largest tailfins, but I'd say it's in competition with the 1961 Imperial. 

 

Summer Workwear

Summer is over, which means it's time to start putting away the linen's, straws and spectator shoes. Since I started my current job this summer, I thought I'd share the different styles I'd switch up throughout the weeks.

                                                                            Recent finds

1920's/'30s heavy tweed slacks

'50s/'60s casual summer shirt 

August Lawn Party

I attended part 2 of the 2012 Bi-annual Jazz Age Lawn Party last weekend, working my role as "assistant phonograph DJ" for Mac of the "Antique Phonograph Music Program". It was one of the best lawn parties I've been to in all my years of attending! The weather was glorious, breezy and cool. Nice weather to have when your running around in vintage wools. The one thing these lawn parties guarantee (besides endless fun) is that you'll make many new friends every time you attend.

             For the event, I went with a simpler "mish-mosh" '10s/'20s casual style. I had brought my
                    own ukulele, but couldn't resist trying out this antique ('20s era?) violin ukelele.

      
            Standing with my new acquaintance, fellow golden era fan and Fedora Lounger, Maria "Marla". 

         I was amazed to see this 1947-1981 Citroen H van, a vehicle I thought was only found in Europe.

                                                             Another Zeigfeld Follies type act

         As usual the party was jammed packed. Probably double the amount of attendee's back in 2009.

Vintage find at the lawn party, '40s/'50s gabardine Ricky jacket. Will need to have the liner re-sewn, but the shell is in good shape.

Work Work Work

It's been a while since my last post. I've been busy lately since I got a job last month. I'm an animator's assistant at Titmouse Inc. and since there's no dress code at my workplace, I go ahead and don the '30s-'50s animator look, highly inspired by the old Disney crew.

My typical summer work garb. If you ever see photo's of Walt Disney and his crew, they were always dressed to the nine's.

 I also celebrated my 22nd birthday last month. I went with a more casual '50s house party look, donning my '40s party popper tie as it fit the occasion. The party itself was very classic. Italian cake, root beer, and pizza from the heart of Brooklyn all while chewing the fat.

 

I also found this old fedora at vintage store. The gentleman who relocked it for me explained that it dates to 1965 as per the red number on the union label. It has a pretty classic shape for a '60s fedora, has kind of an early '30s vibe with it's tall crown. 

7th Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party 2012

What a fun weekend! The Lawn Party was a roaring success! It seems every party more and more people put more effort into dressing in legitimate '20s/'30s attire. I attended both days, working my usual role being an assistant phonograph DJ for Michael (Mac) Cumella of the "Antique Phonograph Music Program" from WFMU on Saturday. Mac has a one hour radio show Tuesday's at 8 PM Eastern time, playing pre-1925 acoustic records and cylinders straight off the antique phonographs. Sunday casually walked the grounds with my ukulele playing old '20s favorites and sat next to the bandstand enjoying the period accurate sounding music and nice end of spring weather.

    First day of the party next to my work station with my two friends. Sporting my '30s suit, '20s tie, Paul Fredrick club collar shirt, Scala boater hat and remix spectators.

               

Pretending to be G-Men, though my friend claims he is from the year 2040.

For the second day I went with a more casual Ivy-league look and brought my Mitchell Ukulele with me. Sporting my '60s throwback sport coat, '40s gabardine slacks, and my newly acquired '40s tie and "Worth and Worth" linen Gatsby cap.

This man, a tailor by trade, was sporting a post-World War One British Army uniform. The detail signifying that he is a "Duke"

Ziegfeld Follies type re-enactment.

Michael Arenella, the founder of the event conducting his Dreamland Orchestra. Bill Cunningham of the New York times behind him.

The partner act at the party "Gelber and Manning"

Some purchases at the event

I had seen a similar colored '40s tie for sale on eBay, and upon finding this one I had to have it. There was just something really nice and regal about maroon's/burgundy's/lavender's before the '60s made a mess of them.

Very decently made and close to period accurate linen "Gatsby" newsboy by Worth and Worth

Nice big bill, leather sweatband, and close to accurate '20s-'40s newsboy cap proportions.

1920's-esque sunglasses.