At Danny P., we’re all about bridging the gap between age-old crafting tradition and forward-thinking design. In line with that philosophy, we present our weekly Style Throwback series. We take inspiration from the forefathers of menswear and show you how to remix bygone looks to suit up in modern times.
The modern dude has a lot to learn from the gentleman of the 1910s.
During this era, day trips and travel were becoming more accessible, thanks to a new middle class. Many of those guys enjoyed lavishing on leisure activities, prompting the desire for casual wear, particularly in America.
As we near the summer season, today we look at some of the main accessories being reevoked on contemporary sailing trips.
Image source: https://flic.kr/p/oqQdYt
The classic vest, which we looked at two weeks ago, was still around but was now sported lower on the chest and without a collar.
Let’s see what else was flaunted on the pier of yesteryear...
One prominent style accessory was the panama hat. This classic hat is painstakingly hand-woven from a palm-like plant called toquilla, and has a distinct triangular shape with dents on the side.
Though the topper originated in Ecuador in the 17th century, in the West it was worn in the early 1910s, mainly while traveling and at sporting events.
The great thing about the panama hat is its ability to exude instant and understated elegance. Real panama hats still don’t come cheaply nowadays, but they can last generations if properly maintained.
Image source: https://flic.kr/p/oe8iax
The navy blazer (either in deep blue or striped with a light color) is another sailing staple we would’ve seen on the shores of 1910 New York.
If you ask us, it’s still an unwritten style rule that every man should own a navy blazer. (Striped blazers are all the rage this summer, so they shouldn’t be hard to find.)
For one thing, the navy blazer allows for endless styling options. It’s one of those items that just goes easy on the eye, whether matched with a preppy country club outfit or dressed-down for a casual garden party.
Image source: http://goo.gl/3IAiOg
The navy blazer over a pair of light-colored shorts (yes, even pastel-colored shorts, if you’re into that kind of thing) offer the perfect mix between casual and smart.
But if that’s all too preppy for you, feel free to pull on some jeans instead. You can slip on almost any color of shoes with this look, but if you ask us, we think slip-on boat shoes work best.
Finalize your look with a pair of sunglasses. Et voila! You have completed your sailing guise and are ready to take on the sea, so undock the ship, Captain… see you on the other side of the decade!