Clark Gable and Jean Harlow in “China Seas,” (1935).
It’s often been said that every man wants to look like Cary Grant, while every man wants to be Clark Gable.
A few months ago Seraphic Secret was screening one of our favorite Gable-Harlow movies, China Seas, (1935) the story of a brassy dame, a gruff sea captain and piracy on the high seas.
For a good portion of the movie, Gable wears a distinctive jacket with roomy, gusseted pockets, bi-swing shoulders, and a half-belted back. During the 30′s this style of jacket was common. It has a wonderful chin-up military feel.
In vain, Seraphic Secret searched for such a jacket, but, alas, could not find one.
After a great deal of research we hired Enzo Caruso of Santa Monica, a talented, old-school tailor—Enzo doesn’t even use email—to make this jacket for yours truly.
Here’s my Gable inspired jacket, hand-tailored by the great Caruso.
The fabric is a four season wool-chashmere blend. The bi-swing shoulders allow for freedom of movement and the half-belt creates a trim silhouette. Enzo’s tailoring is impeccable.
Here’s another view of the back. I opted for a classic single vent. The fabric is a tiny blue-gray herringbone from Holland and Sherry, Savile Row-London. Unfortunately, my photos do not do justice to the rich but subdued color.
From the front the most noticeable feature are the gusseted pockets. Enzo and I decided to dispense with the pocket flaps which is on the original. The right pocket has an inner pocket in which I can place my iPhone. I like two button jackets. Unless a man is quite tall, three front buttons tend to bisect the figure reducing height.
The jacket has working buttons, originally called “surgeon’s sleeves.” It’s the kind of detail you never see on ready to wear. The buttons are genuine horn.
There was some left-over fabric and Enzo surprised me with a gift of this matching scarf. Whenever I wear the jacket at least one person asks if they can touch the fabric: “Oh, that’so soft!” they invariably exclaim. Okay, I’m no Clark Gable, but in my Gable Jacket I feel connected to a legend and to the movies I love.
Naturally, Gable and Harlow get all lovey-dovey. What’s the lesson we learn, kids? When you have the right wardrobe and a well-crafted screenplay you always get the girl.
The Ninth Annual Ariel Avrech Memorial Lecture featuring Joel B. Pollak, Editor-in-Chief of Breitbart.com, has just been posted. Just cruise on over to the sidebar on your right, navigate upwards a bit and you’ll find it either as a full video or audio-only download. I deliver introductory remarks.
Karen and I wish all our friends an inspirational and fashionable Shabbat.
Ariel Chaim Avrech, ZT'L, May His Righteous Memory be a Blessing.
14 Comments
Good clothes make one feel good. I’ve two great suit jackets, one tailormade, cost $1000, the other found in a second-hand shop, cost $25.
They both look good but, natch, one looks indescribably better.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
NIce – and the scarf’s too cool! How does the jacket drape with the weight of the phone in your pocket?
BTW, thanks for posting the links to the Memorial Lecture.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Alter:
Enzo and I designed the inner pocket so that it hangs from the top seam thus there’s no weight on the drape. It’s simple and effective. I never liked dropping my iPhone in a breast pocket because it drags down the fabric, ruins what should be a clean line.
Enjoy the lecture!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
e GAble and/or Grant:
Either will do. Love your diet. Congratulations.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Correction:
Re Gable and/or Grant
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
I’ll bet someone could make a business taking the best styles of the 30-40s – adding a few modern twists (pocket for an IPhone) – I do hope though that the things from the 0s never return – never did like the “leisure suit”
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Also, that’s a beautiful jacket, Robert. I’m envious.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Thanks so much.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Back when I was single and had money – the ’90s – I used to go to my tailor and shirtmaker with old magazines and photos to get them to copy clothes I saw on movie actors and jazz musicians. I have some casual spread-collared shirts in contrasting fabrics based on things I saw on Lester Young and Bing Crosby, and some beautiful suits that, alas, I can no longer wear unless I manage to lose 30 pounds or so. Also – pleats, which were the acme of the ’40s suit but are out of style now. They all sit in the closet, waiting for another turn of the fashion wheel and/or a thinner me.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Rick:
I lost 35 lbs. by cutting out starch, sugar and all processed food. Now I eat fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, white chicken, salmon and rib steak. Oh, and I walk 3 miles a day. It’s a drastic life style change but I have never felt better. Karen says I look jiust like Gable:-)
Here’s a link to the eating program designed by a close friend, Endocronologist Harry Weisman.
http://www.amazon.com/The-18-Solution-Percent-Weight/dp/0595425666
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I love the jacket. Is the color (more) blue or charcoal? Top 2 photos seem blue, but the bottom photos seem more gray. I would have kept the pocket flaps and I would probably have used 2 vents, but then again I’m sure I’m a wider body than you, Robert.
In any case, it’s an exceptional jacket. Kudos to Enzo!
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
AliasJoe:
It’s a tiny herringbone blue-gray but more blue. The color and fabric get compliments wherever I go. The iPhone does not reproduce the true color.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
“Every girl’s crazy bout a sharp dressed man” baddda daaadda!!!
Nice jacket Robert but not a big fan of the colour..but…to each his own!!
Like or Dislike:
1 
1
rsickinger:
As I said, the iPhone does not do justice to the color. But as you said, in the eye of the beholder.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0