Looking for High Quality 19th Century-esque Clothing

In My Humble Opinion
1

Christmas approaches, and I’ve not had a chance to properly shop for myself in much too long. (And left to itself, my family buys me stuff that doesn’t fit and is made of stretchy materials… shudders) Yes, I am actually male and straight.

So anyhoo…

As the title says, I am looking for well made, vintage fashions (though modern styles are fine as well, assuming that the clothing is, again, high quality and doesn’t pander to the fashion of the moment.)

Yes, I am aware of J. Peterman. But I would like to have some secondary options. J. Peterman also tends to favor relatively Western clothes (which I do like) but someplace with some more European styled clothing would be good.

And by “High Quality” and “Well Made”, I mean that I make no distinction between “nice” clothes and a t-shirt and sweatpants. In the 19th century, people played sports, climbed trees, and rode horses in clothing that these days we touch with kid gloves. Personally I require that any clothing I am wearing, regardless of how expensive it is would be of sufficient stitching and cloth to be able to go hiking for a week and not be falling apart. Indeed, one of my J. Peterman vests is now entering it’s fourteenth year or so, and looks just fine though I have certainly done my best to pummel it over the years.

Money is no particular object, though of course the clothes I tend to buy end up being cheaper over the long run.

I also need to note that I am 6’1" with a 29" inch waist, so if anyone knows anyplace that sells decent pants in a wide variety of sizes, even if they aren’t vintage styled or anything (though the quality requirement is still a must), I would be appreciative.

So…any suggestions for where to look?

2

I just went to the J. Peterman website.

HOW CAN YOU AFFORD THIS CLOTHING?!?!?

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

3

Is there anything in particular you see that is shocking to you? Because those prices don’t seem out of line for what you get to me, especially since high-quality clothing does tend, in general, to last longer than low-quality clothing.

4

If you’re interested in a nice Inverness, I can vouch for the quality of these guys.

5

Most people end up buying clothes every year or other year. So over a fourteen year span, they might buy somewhere between seven to fourteen coats. I will buy one. If it was this one, for instance, that would be $400 for 14 years.

For the same money, I could buy a $28 coat every year, or a $56 every other year. That seems fairly reasonable.

But, I’ll look cooler.

6

Chill. I am not even close to a clothes hound and I would buy some of that stuff. The prices are hardly out of line for high quality clothes.

7

Damn, I wish you hadn’t reminded me I haven’t bought anyything from Peterman lately . . . I am totally longing for this dress . . .

(My mother always told me “you’re never poor enough to buy cheap clothing”)

8

How about James Townsend & Son .

9

I’m partial to this one, myself.

I wish they’d bring back their Titanic line. Those were absolutely gorgeous.

10

For things like men’s suits, that sounds about average to me. Besides, when you pay those kinds prices, you’re getting what you pay for-very high quality, long-lasting clothing.

It may be a lot up front, but since it lasts longer than cheap stuff, you’ll save money in the long run. It truly is a case of “you get what you pay for.”

11

Hm…that seems a bit too period to wear out and about. Unfortunately, the things one could get away with in high school don’t work out in the real world (and particularly not in Tokyo.)

But please note that I’m more looking for well-crafted clothes that are based on tried and proven cuts instead of the current fad, than I am looking for actual 19th Century style clothing. I just point it out as being a time when, so far as I am concerned, fashion finally figured out all the clothes cuts that were best for fully clothed bodies. (And subsequently, fashion started to slowly remove layers…)

12

Have you thought about a seamstress?
You could get a couple patterns fitted to you and then you’d have what you need for any variations.

13

Define “fashion”. Filson started off making clothes for the Klondike gold rush, but it’s not clear from the OP whether you’d be interested in that type of clothing.

14

Jas. Townsend has some nice stuff–if you’re re-enacting. Or are very, very brave.

Can you narrow your focus down any more? Nineteenth-century men’s clothing covers a pretty wide field – from this to this. In truth, the three-piece suit hasn’t changed all that much from the 1870s.

Old West Mercantile has some nice vests and shirts, very reasonably priced. I know a lot of people use their clothing for action shooting, which is generally pretty strenuous. I’ve heard good things about River Junction Trade Company, as well. Those are both geared more towards re-enactors, but there are a few things that might translate for everyday wear.

If you were female, I could help you out a lot more, since Edwardian is a pretty big trend right now. There’s this velvet jacket at Newport News that I’ve been drooling over for a while (I would wear jabots if I thought I could get away with it), but just can’t justify spending the money on. Do you want something like the masculine equivalent of that? Nineteenth century styling with a 21st century aesthetic?

You really can’t go wrong with an aran sweater, which I see J. Peterman has in the guise of the Irish Fisherman’s Sweater. It’s a classic, and started out as fishermen’s apparel in the 19th century. Certainly originating in the Europe, though probably not what you’re aiming for. Any sweater knit in 100% wool will endure quite a bit, especially if handknit. Peacoats have a flavor of the 19th century, as well. (Sorry, I love me a sea captain.)

If you’re looking for things of this quality, though, it would probably be easiest for you to find a reputable seamstress/tailor and have clothing made for you out of quality goods. Demand to see a portfolio and actual samples of whomever’s work you’re interviewing. Things to look for are finished (not serged) seams, neat stitching, linings and interlinings in structured garments (like jackets), etc. It’s probably going to run you about the same as anything out of J. Peterman.

15

Thank you, Miss McKnittington, I’ll have to do some windowshopping down those links. :slight_smile:

Some commentary though. 19th century is a bit of lie, true. 1880 to WWI would be my favorite area, though something like this coat would still be perfectly fine (I tend to just wear a pair of modern slacks, and I’m happy with my footwear, so we’re just looking at shirts, vests, coats, and sweaters here.)

That one (http://www.riverjunction.com/catalog/scoat/dressyfrock.html) is nice, in terms of a look. I would probably swap in a less colorful vest, but otherwise that’s something I would wear.

That’s not looking to change, no. :wink:

That would look good with a form fitting standard workplace collared shirt–silk or something shiny, so that you got that wrinkle poofing out just above your waist.

Pretty much. There’s a lot of clothing that I would gladly wear that is too far removed from what you could wear to work, but in the end I need to buy clothes taking that into consideration.

Yep, I would happily go for one. Though there, and similarly with sweaters, you need to be a bit careful since I’m quite boney. I just can’t fill out the stuff made to show off chest and arm muscles.

Well… One day when I’ve enough free time, that’s something that I’ll probably do. I was once able to order a set of shirts tailor made (collarless, extending up the neck extra long) though these ended up not lasting as long as my J Peterman shirts. At the moment though, I pretty much need to come up with a set of links in two days or so, to mail to my mom so she can get them ordering.

Great, there’s some keywords to plop into Google. So probably I’ll do some searching there as well.

16

Can’t be any help, but damn, I love those Peterman clothes. If only off-the-shelf Elizabethan was as easy to get hold of…