An authentic “zoot suit” recently auctioned for $78,000. It had the wild fabric, long jacket with full sleeves that went to the fingertips, and roomy trousers that ended in tight cuffs falling at the toes of shoes. A long keychain that almost reached the floor and a hat with a tall feather completed the look. In the 1930s and ’40s, it was popular with young black men, some musicians, and jitterbugging white working class youths. Soon the style spread to California and young Mexican Americans. The suit turned into what some Americans considered an “unpatriotic statement” during the fabric restrictions of World War II. It even led to a riot in Los Angeles in 1943 when U.S. sailors brawled with Mexican-American zoot suiters.
Photo: Augusta Auction Co.
Just wasn’t sure your point; the blurb had a dollar amount, but a bit of disdain to it. I know, quite well, that you have only a paucity of information about vintage clothing, but to say – here, this thing that caused an outrage brought this money..? I don’t know. — Odd post. It obviously made the column, by price, but you sure didn’t give any histrionics, or help us clothing dealers any. It is about the dough, or is it about the love? Pick one.