Local Clothier Sees Uptick in Gatsby-Era Men's Fashions As New Movie Debuts
By John McDevitt
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Great Gatsby, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, opens in theatres later this week (see related story). The romantic drama takes place in the Roaring '20s.
Is it just a coincidence that men's fashions of that period are making a comeback?
Nish De Gruiter is with the newly opened Suit Supply, at 16th and Locust Streets in center city Philadelphia. The store offers all sorts of garments, including those with wider lapels and other 1920s flair.
"The peak lapel is a lapel that points up," De Gruiter (top photo) explains. "And then you have a notch lapel that is more square at the ends."
There are plaids and solids, and three-piece suits with four vest pockets.
"Especially in 1920 they had four pockets," De Gruiter says. "One was used for the pocket watch. Another was used for matches or something for smoking. Another pocket was used for coins."
And the fourth, for a handkerchief.
The suits are made out of fine European fabrics and have details like "after-dinner slits" in the waistband of the pants that give a little if you eat too much.
