“The style horrifies restaurant headwaiters, who are still weathering the onslaught of women in pants suits.”
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–TIME Magazine, 1967
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Steve McQueen in Bullitt — sporting the turtleneck, ripe for a comeback.
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Turtleneck sweaters have long been a staple for winter sportsmen, as well as an indispensable part of the beatnik uniform. The reasons for their popularity are obvious: they look trim and they eliminate the bother of a necktie. They are now being worn with blazers and sports coats to the office (among advertising art directors, the turtleneck has virtually become a uniform). At some small Manhattan parties, half the men now show up in turtlenecks.
“The object of the Handlebar Club was, and still is, to bring together moustache wearers (beards being strictly prohibited) socially for sport and general conviviality.”
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Members of Handlebar Club posing for photograph, UK, July 1947. — Nat Farbman
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Members of Handlebar Club comparing ties, UK, July 1947. — Nat Farbman
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Member of Handlebar Club holding drink, UK, July 1947. — Nat Farbman
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Member of Handlebar Club kissing woman, UK, July 1947. — Nat Farbman
“They say in L.A. there are only two methods of transportation-
car and ambulance.”
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–Unknown
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Auto traffic on Wilshire Boulevard during rush hour with sign for the WESTLAKE THEATRE looming in the background --ca. 1938.
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Service attendant pumping gasoline into Ford sedan as woman watches at gas pumps covered by the wing of a large permanently parked airplane, on Wilshire Boulevard --circa 1938.
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Motorist in his car making a transaction at the drive up window of a bank --ca. 1938.
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Muller Brothers Service Station's white uniformed attendents pumping gas & inflating tires on a fancy convertible while their uniformed African-Amer. conterparts wield rags as they polish the windshield & chrome --ca. 1938.
Ed Holovchik (aka Ed Fury), bodybuilder and Mr. Los Angeles contestant with model Jackie Coey --1953.
VISITING TRIO-- Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus clowns Coco and Bobby Kaye visiting a patient at Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital --1970.
FOOD'S FUN-- Nancy Kennedy, 20, downs diet cola and french fries, popular combination with the young set. The theory is that diet drink saves enough calories to allow for the fattening french fries. L.A. Times --1965.
Comedian Eddie Cantor with beauty contestants Lisa Davis, Barbara Drake and Phyllis Applegate, Los Angeles, CA --circa 1954.
Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell putting handprints in cement at Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, CA --circa 1953.
PERFECTION?-James L. Pyle and Nonna Walls examine "Miss Formula", a computer-created drawing resulting from a list of "perfect female" statistics, CA 1964.
Pat Hall, "Miss 7-Cent Cup of Coffee, 1950," serving William E. Kinman coffee while wearing a bikini, Los Angeles, CA --1950.
Man wearing gag thumb with three bathing beauties, Long Beach, CA --1949. Someone please explain...
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE-Policeman Chuck Peyton checks to see if the old-fashioned bathing suit worn by actress Myrna Ross complies with 1933 Redondo Beach ordinance banning women's suits that are more than 3 in. above knee. The city attorney warned enforcement may be necessary if topless suits appear on beaches. Male swimmers would also be required to wear more discreet attire.
Tartan makes me feel like no other fabric. I can’t say it any better than the book, a must read- “Whenever the word tartan is mentioned, scores of exuberant images abound. Like a flag, tartan evokes the Scottish nation and its colorful kilted clans. It resonates with the wail of bagpipes. It snaps to attention with its smart, symmetrical design.
But tartan is more than a design, it is a sign; and while it signifies kinship (real or imagined), country, and celebration of the Scots, its subtext is dignity, distinctiveness. and a sense of belonging- qualities that possess universal appeal. That is perhaps the reason why tartan, a textile indigenous to the Highlands, has evolved into one of the world’s most popular fabrics, beloved by just about everyone. Scot or not.”
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Knowing Jeffrey Banks, I can tell you that writing this book was a passionate labor of love for him. An avid collector of all things tartan, particularly Black Watch, Jeffrey is the tartan authority and owns some of the greatest pieces I’ve seen– apparel, accessories, home furnishings, tartanware– you name it. Jeffrey- I want that Black Watch toggle coat when you die! No hurry, chap.
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Jeffrey Banks is one of those guys that seems to have been born with impeccable style. As a high-schooler working at the legendary shop Britches, he was tapped by Ralph to come work for him. Ralph became very fond of Jeffrey– he even lent him his own personal tuxedo and pumps for his Senior Prom. Polo was a small company back then, so he worked directly with Ralph as his design assistant, and they are still close today.
Jeffrey, passionate about design, made the decision to leave Polo and finish his studies at Pratt Institute and Parsons. Jeffrey later designed for Calvin, and Merona Sportswear, among others. He launched his own menswear collection in 1977 to much acclaim, and is among the “who’s who” of fashion. Jeffrey is one of the most dapper guys going, and a two-time winner of the Coty American Fashion Critics award.
I have a great story for you about Jeffrey in a kilt- but that’s for another time.
![Ed Holovchik [aka Ed Fury], bodybuilder and Mr. Los Angeles contestant with model Jackie Coey-- 1953.](https://42ndblackwatch1881.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/vintage-beach.jpg "vintage beach")
