MTFCA Forum

I debated with myself whether this was OT or not, and I decided not. Some T folks like to wear period clothes to match their cars. If you're looking for appropriate men's attire for the twenties, this will give you some good examples of what to look for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JkQgvs ... ILDx26zCIU

It's hard to beat a pair of ROUNDHOUSE Bibbs!! Bud.

I particularly enjoyed seeing that. Our club members wore period clothing when we went on tours or had events back in the '60s. We don't do that much any more. When I paint from black and white photos it's sometimes tough to find authentic colors that are believable. Although the catalogs of those days enhanced the tones they do reflect some truth.
That is a great reference to many things.
Thanks.
Rich

It took us awhile, but we found clothes to match the clothes in my speedster project inspiration photo. The hat for my wife was the hardest part to find ...

Since my car is a Great Depression/WW2 special, I've been looking for clothing that would fit that period.

I'm trying to recreate the look of the man who'd be driving a thoroughly used T in the late 1930's....not necessarily the farmer look, but rather the common man, with clean but worn clothes, trying hard to survive and provide for his family. I believe it's plain leather shoes, plain brown trousers, white or blue shirt and a fedora style hat. I say fedora-style because it's all I know to call it. I know it's not a fedora, but rather that hat that you see on men from that era....men standing in bread lines.

My plan is to put together this ensemble for parades, etc. I'll grow out a 2-day beard and my wife will wear a floral-print dress. I need to get good and skinny to pull off the look....working on that.

Here's my car for reference. I'm purposefully avoiding the thing that you see a lot with worn Model T's....and that is, hanging stuff all over them. I'm all set to install the gorgeous worn set of top bows that I have as well as a nicely worn top....but that'll have to wait until the weather warms up a bit.
.

Don, you can buy feed sack by the yard.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/687250376/ ... l1EALw_wcB

The photo of Louis Armstrong in knickers was taken during his extended stay in Europe between July 1933 and January 1935.

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 14, 2021 11:34 am

Don, you can buy feed sack by the yard.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/687250376/ ... l1EALw_wcB


1a34169u_1.jpg

Cool...thanks....my wife is a good seamstress.

For those with later Model T era cars check out the MAFCA fashion judging guide lines for original and reproduction men, women, and children, garments.
Much of the 1928-29 fashion works for the later Model T era of 1924-27.

MAFCA = Model A Ford Club of America

How do you wait for the weather to warm up in Houston? Normally it is so damn hot and damp I do not understand how anyone could live there. Hopefully tonite I can go for a drive in the snow and make some donuts.

DHort wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 14, 2021 1:14 pm

How do you wait for the weather to warm up in Houston? Normally it is so damn hot and damp I do not understand how anyone could live there. Hopefully tonite I can go for a drive in the snow and make some donuts.

It was 28 degrees last night. Daytime temps tend to be between 40 and 60ish during the month of January.

I'm waiting for a warm (above 85 degrees) day so I can lay my top out on the driveway to get it good and hot....makes it easier to install.

And I agree, the weather is miserable here. I've made my living running a business that serves the petroleum refineries and that ties me to this location. The goal is to sell the thing in the next 24 months and move north.

But....you know what they say when you're driving near the Houston Ship Channel and someone asks, "What's that smell?" The answer is always, "MONEY".

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 14, 2021 10:58 am

.. Some T folks like to wear period clothes to match their cars. If you're looking for appropriate men's attire for the twenties, this will give you some good examples of what to look for.

I had the same thought after I got my T. I went to the microfilm room of the St. Louis County Library and chose newspapers from the spring and summer months from 1924 until about 1927. (People did keep their cars more than one year.) I looked at photos taken in public places and also very closely at clothing ads. Getting actual vintage clothing in the right size was too complicated, but I was able to buy modern clothing that imitated how the clothes looked in the ads.

I could never find a straw boater that fit me in vintage stores and one day on a whim I called Levine Hat Company in downtown St. Louis. I asked the woman who answered the phone, "Do you carry straw boaters?" Her tone of voice when she answered made me realize that I had just done the equivalent of calling the zoo and asking, "Do you have animals there?" I drove to their store and found a boater in my size. At the register, the cashier said that they were running a special, and with any straw hat you could get a felt hat for half price. I got a nice bowler as well. (The bowler is a more comfortable hat because it's not so rigid.) While I was there, I also picked up a newsboy cap. Added to a collarless shirt, it works okay...

It's hard to beat a pair of ROUNDHOUSE Bibbs!!

A couple of snappy dressers.

Im glad we dont have to buy special period duds for these events Steve. I know Bud doesnt either.

Picture of Dallas and Steve made me think of the 1950's ad:

"Which One Had The Toni ?"

It is a lot easier for the guys- the women not so. Long sleeves and floor length dresses. Remember this before you commit the family- got to keep the little women happy, evolved in our hobby and riding next to us. SOMETIMES!

For the gals/ladies even living in the rural areas, some did try and keep up with latest trends, maybe a bit more on the conservative side. Then as now, changed often so might have followed the fall/winter Sears or Montgomery Wards catalog.
The men/guys did too, but our styles didn't/don't change as fast.
Looking at family photos from the era, bibs were not real common in my family. Moms Dad did wear them sometimes. Dads, I don't have any photos showing anyone wearing them. They were more the belt and suspender denim flannel wool type on work days for the men. While the pants style/cut was different, over all not much different then what I wear now. Just because I drive a Model T, does not mean one has to dress like they had no contact with the outside world in my OP.

Gonna give that idea a big "NOPE !"

The 70's had so much more to offer !

Ah just the thing for your 70's Mod-Squad era car!

I've been wearing hats like the smiling gent in the second pic every day, for years.

I wear my newsboy cap every time I drive my T. It hangs on the choke knob when not in use.

I think most people could easily tell your status in life by what you drove. Once the model T New Fangled and high dollar but in later years not so much. The later T's were working peoples cars and while people of the time dressed in their best for pictures i think not everyday? Bud.