Wednesday, September 14, 2011

The Well Dressed Englishman

The London men’s clothier Austin Reed was founded in 1900 and set up shop in Regent Street in 1926 as one the first men’s department stores. The clothes were aimed at the upper middle class male, and the firm commissioned some of the best illustrator-designers of the day to promote its brand.

Austin Reed currently the holder of two royal warrants was the perfect place to be outfitted for all of the occasions an upper middle class male might find himself in. From travelling to the far reaches of the Empire, a journey by Wagon Lit, weekends in the country or an evening on the town these were the perfect clothes.

Sports were well catered for, whether you were playing tennis or Hunting, all could be obtained at Austin Reed’s.

The posters used in advertising captured each situation our man with style might find himself in. Highly indicative of the era in which they were created in, the illustrations give us something to aspire to. Life was full of an elegance that was not forced. This was a style of clothing and illustration that seemed to be innate and bred into the gentleman who was completely outfitted at Austin Reeds.
Well known for their impeccable tailoring and clothes that quintessentially defined the English man at a fraction of the cost of Saville Row, they are still in business. Whenever in London, I always pop into Austin’s.
It is also reassuring to see that none of this elegance has left Austin Reed through the subsequent decades, as they still promote a well-dressed gentleman who has not got a personal tailor.




12 comments:

  1. I have a few clothing pieces by Austin Reed, they are very well made. You are very right in saying,"none of this elegance has left Austin Reed through the subsequent decades".

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  2. David the illustrations, the posters are amazing, they would make a great collection for any home! Austin Reed always quality!

    xoxo
    Karena

    Art by Karena

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  3. Oh, they did made well made long lasting suits! I bought my first proper suit at their Regent Street store, it must have been 1982 or around, and it was my favorite for a long time! Funny little world.

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  4. Hello David:
    And nowadays Austin Reed for women!!!!

    The poster illustrations are wonderful. As you say, absolutely redolent of the age and suggesting how the man about town, country or cruise ship should and could look.

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  5. Some posters are very expressive, a luxury tailoring!


    Regards

    http://thetrendysurfer.blogspot.com/

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  6. Nice picks! such a beautiful post! Please, see mine with a Chanel giveaway! And if you like my blog, please follow me!
    xoxo
    Miriamstella ( from Italy)
    http://isfashionmypassion.blogspot.com/Nice

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  7. I love those posters. I like this resurgence of illustration in marketing. Austin Reed clothing represents flawless tailoring. The idea of the well-dressed English Gentleman is by far one of my greatest sartorial inspirations.


    Diego
    www.howtozipyourfly.com

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  8. cool post! i have a print of the yellow one in my room. i think i found it in an antique store in charleston, sc.

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  9. Those boldly graphic vintage posters are superb. My favourite look is that classic English style, and the artwork makes it all the more elegant. I find it difficult to look at such taste and then face the real world of slobs dressed in skull motif sweats and athletic shoes.

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  10. I love the posters - they are such a reflection of the time!:-) I also happen to think that English tailoring school is absolutely phenomenal. Each time we visit London my husband makes it a point to order a suit. I can see why very easily. :-)

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