PICTURE: #7 IN ELEVEN ACTS
SPECIAL GUEST INTERVIEW:
JOE McGLYNN TALKS ABOUT HIS 7TH OUTFIT
What items did you use to compose this particular outfit?
Sweater vest by Mic Mac, St Tropez (ca. 1980) and period shirt,
Pleated butterscotch trousers (modern) by Pronti,
1930s/1940s Florsheim white buck brogues w/wooden heel
How did you arrive at the decision to compose such an outfit?
I admire the dress and silhouette of the California Jazz dancers of the late ’30s with long lines and high waist. This is my budget-conscious look ($20 for the sweater vest and $30 for the trousers).
Did you compose this outfit spontaneously or was it planned ahead of time?
Planned
In a scale of 10, how pleased are you with this composition/outfit?
9- Nice vertical composition
What roles do color, the fit, and integrity of fabric play in this particular outfit?
I like the long/tall silhouette and appearance – with a shorter torso and longer leg. I would love to find a vest like this from the period, but they are most rare. My modern acrylic sweater is color fast, easy to care for, and was affordable. It’s a compromise I can live with.
How soon would you repeat/wear this same outfit again?
I may not wear this particular combination again for a year or so but I will assemble similar looks from other sweater and pant combinations. I would choose the colors and weight of the sweater vest based on the season.
There is perhaps a spiritual, emotional, intellectual or psychological aspect to what/how we dress. What is your personal experience in relation to this outfit?
This look was inspired by dancers on the West Coast who can be seen in a 1938 newsreel shot in Venice Beach, CA (go to Swungover.wordpress.com for the history). I feel as if I’m channeling some of the great old-timers when I wear this look.
Yes!! What a fantastic homage. I particularly love those trousers.
Where do you find those Pronti trousers? They look great!
The rousers are the key to the look.
Thanks Makaga and Marcie, I bought the trousers at Runway, one of the many pop up stores in NYC that sell inexpensive imported clothing. My typical visit is a 2-minute walk through with low expectations, but I find reasonably-priced staples often enough to keep me returning.