Meet Style, and Quality

A history professor of mine once said "you just don't see male personifications in art." Well, maybe not in "art", but they certainly pop up quite a bit in old advertising illustrations. Style and Quality, here, are upholding the statement that the Hat is the finest in all the land. Of course, if they are questioned, we are assured that the Hat will back them up. A formidable trio!    

This ad is from a 1912 issue of The Clothier and Furnisher.

Ready to Blossom?

You heard it here, folks. It's June; there are butterflies flitting through the fields, and the season is neigh for menswear customers everywhere to "blossom forth with the flowers!"

I love the bold deco look of this 1917 advertisement from The Clothier and Furnisher. I believe that the illustration is meant to be used as a detachable window card, since there is a cutting line below it. I wonder if it was featured in any shop displays when it was first published. It certainly is eye-catching.

Here is the backside of the page:

Young at Heart

Wise words from the Wolfer Press:

Ad from a 1912 issue of The Clothier and Furnisher.

Proud Pasta

That's it! "Pompous noodle" is now my new favorite belittlement! 

Beaunash, a contributor to the 1911 Clothier and Furnisher, weighs in on the timeless debate: 

who dresses better? American or English Actors?

Rah Rah Heels

With these 1909 King Quality Rah! Rah! style balmoral boots, a gentleman could make his feet appear a whole 3 sizes smaller, all while gaining a whopping two inches in height! Now that's a win-win for tiny folks with big feet!

Advertisement from a 1909 issue of The Clothier and Furnisher.

Sock Buddies

I think this little illustration has a really elegant yet charming simplicity to it. Just a couple of pals, having a cozy chat in their Wayne knit socks. This ad is from the 1909 Clothier and Furnisher. 

Pick Your Garter!

Garter ads are everywhere, in The Clothier and Furnisher, but most of them are in black and white, and only feature one, or maybe two illustrations of the product. This two-page spread of Boston Garters from 1909, however, is a spectacle to behold!

 I never knew that Boston garters came in so many different colors and materials! From pale pink cotton to deep blue silk. 

One Fancy Illustration

A Swallowtail butterfly, a peacock, a mirror, and a Regency Dandy! I don't think a page header could get much swankier!  

This magnificent piece was printed in a 1909 issue of The Clothier and Furnisher,
above an article, listing of the latest trends in menswear. 

Get your Wings Ready

These collars really took off in 1904. 

Ads in Shining Armor

Here's a little collection of fairty-tail and mediaeval themed ads from the 1903 Clothier and Furnisher, reflecting the popularity of visual motifs from the "age of chivalry" around the turn of the 19th century.   

On the Clock

So many clock puns!
This ad is from a 1903 issue of The Clothier and Furnisher.

Synchronized Suspender Fitness

This is a wacky little illustration from the 1903 Clothier and Furnisher. At first glance, we see a pair of young athletes doing a synchronized aerobic routine with stretchy suspenders...

...After a second look, though, I'm starting to think that they might each be standing in a different leg of a giant pair of pants, and hauling them up by the suspenders. Unfortunately the copy was too blurred to read, but I doubt it explains the illustration.  

The Max Factor

When one artist or illustrator gets famous, we often start to see work that is clearly inspired by their unique style. If this ad below is not a Maxfield Parrish, then it's some serious Maxfield Parrish fan-art!

Selling Fashion with Fashion History

Every now and again, one stumbles across an editorial in a modern fashion magazine, which departs from the usual contemporary styles, and instead celebrates a moment in fashion history. Apparently this sort of thing has been going on for a while, as illustrated by these 1903 ads from The Clothier and Furnisher.

Who Wants Better Pants?

When it comes to learning about historical attitude towards menswear, The Clothier and Furnisher is a truly amazing resource. The publication was first issued in 1872 and catered to virtually everyone in the menswear wholesale/retail industry, from industry leaders and traveling salesmen to window-dressers. 

Ever-trendy, the periodical spanned the hay-days of Art Nouveau, and Art Deco, and enthusiastically embraced each style as it emerged. The add above ran in a 1903 issue, and is boldly graphic, yet swimming in Parishesque Art Nouveau glory.