I remember my grandfather wearing his Sunoco “uniform” and his Sunday sportcoat, but I never thought of him as at the height of fashion. At least not in his attire.
But take a look at him as a 22 year old in 1930!
At first I saw his sport coat, sweater, shirt, fancy belt, and plaid pants as a spiffy outfit, but didn’t stop to think: why is he wearing bloomers? haha
Well, he’s wearing knickers (no, I don’t mean those kind of knickers), which are short for knickerbockers. Copied from this website:
Knickerbockers, later shortened to knickers, were popular sports wear for wealthy gentleman. Knickers were baggy pants that fit low on the natural waist and tight below the knee, ballooning out around the thighs. For upper class gentlemen wearing white or light striped knickers in summer with a matching Norfolk jacket was the look of the teens and early 1920’s.
Grandpa is not wearing a Norfolk jacket, but one that does look a little preppy over that sweater and shirt collar.
Plaid Plus Fours
Variations of knickers included plus-fours, plus- sixes, plus-eights and plus-tens. The plus is how many inches below the knee they hung. Plus fours came in tweeds, linen, corduroy, and flannel. Many were solid colors but to be really trendy men wore stripes, checks, and plaid patterns. They were already on trend when the prince of wales went on tour in American wearing plus fours. His approval meant any man NOT wearing plus fours was out of fashion.
Notice that “to be really trendy men wore stripes, checks, and plaid patterns.” That’s Grandpa–“really trendy”!
Knickers were worn for more than just sports and casual entertainment. They were common among both fashion forward industries such as the movies, but also among working classes who found the sturdier material knickers quite useful on the farm, for making deliveries, and for some factory work. The short legs and light weight clothes made them cool to wear in summer.
Not sure what beach this photo was taken at, but his outfit is sporty for the time period, as befitting a walk on the beach. By today’s standards, he’s a little over-dressed!
The Family Kalamazoo 
What a fabulous photo!
Isn’t it great?! I love it! I wish everyone had photos like this of their grandparents.
It’s interesting to see how much more leeway men had in fashion choices back then. Today men’s fashion is so boring—dull colors, limited styling, etc. Of course, some men are more daring, but I can’t imagine my husband or any man I know today wearing something as “colorful” as those knickers! It’s all jeans, gray or khaki or navy slacks, or black, gray, or blue suits. (But, to be honest, I am just as boring in my clothing choices!) Great post—I never knew what plus-four meant, though I’ve read the term before!
Yes, our clothing has gotten very boring in recent years. Not much variation, so much black and then, as you say, other dark colors, and so many of us wear what amounts to almost “uniforms.” We don’t let our creativity show in what we wear! or personalities either. I’ve read the term before, too, and now I think I’ll always remember what it means.
Knice knickers! I mean it. Although I **really** like the shirt-sweater-jacket combo. I’d dress like that if I were a young man.
Haha, I love that: Knice knickers! That would mean that English makes sense, if it was spelled that way. Or else Nice Nickers. Actually, the sweater is a sweater vest, but it doesn’t really matter with the jacket on. I like that look, too, and did used to dress that way sometimes. Of course, in Arizona, I don’t get a chance for that ;).
Wonderful photo. He could have been a model in GQ. Thank You for posting.
Ah, thanks so much! He was a pretty good-looking guy–and here he looks like he really took pride in what he chose to wear.
Ah, thanks so much! He was a pretty good-looking guy–and here he looks like he really took pride in what he chose to wear.
Hi . I well remember Audrey mailing them to us and never dreamed I was about to wear them which I did for a long time. Una might be more in remembering. I will call her and send you her reply. I might have a pix from Una too! Will let you know. Ed
OK, thanks, Ed! I got your email, too!
Of course, you know I love this photo!!
Your grandfather was very handsome…debonair is the word that comes to mind…loved that combination look!!
I think so, too! Thanks, Sheila!