Great read, posted with permission by the author...
http://www.booknoise.net/johnseabrook/stories/self/closet/index.html
That's an amazing read, he's a terrific writer.Thanks for sharing.
FANTASTIC!
Even Hall Brothers in Oxford gets a name check.
John Seabrook senior was one of the original men on the best-dressed list by George Frazier in Sept. 1960 Esquire article "The Art Of Wearing Clothes". I believe he is still alive. The original posted article in The New Yorker has a photo of him and his son.
Credit that article with articulation of the idea of having country clothes made in Hong Kong, copying them from Savile Row garments.
Brilliant.
Mr. Seabrook still lives-now in Aiken,SC.
Just received an interesting note, below, from John Seabrook that he's poised to liquidate the lion's share of his "father's closet" which is comprised of much of the fine, vintage bespoke clothes (Huntsman, Turnbull & Asser, etc) about which he had waxed poetic in his essay. Below is John's note to me, and if you PM me, maybe we can arrange for a bespoke field trip. Would be helpful if you meet the approximate physical specs noted below. Only serious inquiries, please...
Marc, maybe this is an opportunity to distribute some of my Father's
Closet. He took what he wanted down to Aiken, where he lives now (he
will be 90 in April) but there are many many more suits, shirts,
shoes, socks, slacks, sports coats, and sweaters left in Salem, New
Jersey, which was the site of the mechanical closet. I would love to
get as much of this stuff as I can into the hands of people who would
value and use it. Perhaps you and or the other buffs might want some
of his clothes? He was around 6' 2" and 180-200 pounds at the time
most of the suits were made. Lots of Huntsman and Bernard Weatherill.
Shirts are I believe 35 or 36 in the sleeve and 16 in the neck. Many
made by Lesserson until he went with his Hong Kong Tailor whose name
was A-Man or something. The shoes are I believe 11 and a half, but he
had very narrow feet.
We could try to do something the old fashioned way -- pick a day and get
everything out, price it reasonably, and whoever could get to Salem
on that day could pick up what they wished. Salem is at the southern
end of the Jersey Turnpike, about two hours drive from both
Washington and New York City, one from Philly. Maybe we could have
things out for a couple of days. I would prefer that way because it
would be nice to meet some of the people who were taking his clothes.
Not sure how many are on your site, but if you would like, perhaps
you could post the above, and maybe someone in the group would have
suggestions about what to do with these clothes. Thanks very much,
JS
Last edited by Marc Grayson (2006-11-08 18:52:14)
curses! Clothing is a bit too tall for me. And the shoes just. Bloody hell what a deal. Still, sad that the clothing is not kept in the family! Does Seabrook Jr have any sons?
I like this read more than I can express. I have this flannel and cashmere charcoal cloth with an alternating pale grey chalk stripe and a pale apple green one I am inspired to have made up. Problem is I cant decide between SB peak lapel and DB.
Just came upon this - thought it deserved a bump.
I'll probably have wet dreams about that wardrobe for the next week.