The Blue Devils in crisp linen suits

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The Blue Devils were a Kansas city jazz band in the 1920s and 30s, and above we have a photograph from 1932 of the saxophone section (Theo Ross and Buster Smith) welcoming their newest member, Lester Young, in the middle. For jazz fans, other big names that were in the band included Hot Lips Page, Bill ‘Count’ Basie and Jimmy Rushing. If you don’t know who any of those guys are, no problem – just look at how fine those 1930s suits are! Freshly pressed three-piece linen suits, and look at the details! Jazz orchestras knew how to dress. Perfectly matching down to the ties, the shoes, even the pocket handkerchiefs. And look closely, Lester is even holding a pipe.

Photo from ‘Jazz: A History of America’s Music’ by Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns.

Benjamin Bixby Spring 2009 Collection

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As promised, here are some of the pieces from the new Spring 2009 collection of the Benjamin Bixby label, belonging to Outkast’s Andre Benjamin (a.k.a. Andre 3000). Much less preppy than the first collection, but still with a tailored retro edge that we love.

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Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers All In White 1937

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The world’s most famous Lindy Hop troupe in history. Manager (and former Savoy Ballroom bouncer) Herbert ‘Whitey’ White – is the man in the middle. The troupe was performing at the New Cotton Club in Culver City, California while filming ‘A Day at the Races’ with the Marx Brothers.