Jack the [Hollywood] Tailor and the Demise of Men's Formal Dress

are you someone who enjoys old movies, the black & white ones in which folks dressed in their Sunday's best everyday both in the films and those who went to the theatre to see them? maybe you even watch simply to see the attire of that day? or maybe when you see them you wonder how could men ever dress in suits, tie and pocket square and boutonnière included (but truly how classy does JT look in these pictures?), day in and day out? or perhaps you're anxious for those days to return so that you can show the world how much of a debonaire you really are?

regardless of your thoughts on the "good old days" that now seem long gone since the introduction of "casual Fridays", Jack Taylor is the man who created the stars of this Hollywood glamour. a bespoke tailor for over 60 years in Beverly Hills, Mr. Taylor created custom-made suits for stars who now make lists such as best-dressed of all-time like Cary Grant, Elvis, and the Rat Pack. Frank Sinatra was such a fan of his work that he made plans to be buried in a Jack Taylor custom suit. now in his nineties, Mr. Taylor's work is still highly regarded and demanded.

fashion documentary, Jack Taylor of Beverly Hills, directed by Cecile Leroy Beaulieu tells the story of Jack Taylor as an American icon and an endangered species. the filmmaker describes it as "more than a story of a fashion pioneer; it is a bittersweet portrayal of old Hollywood, detailing the demise of not only custom tailoring, but of an era." the film is airing this week on the Sundance Channel during its Fall Fashion Week. you catch this film, along with six others documenting the history of some of the best fashion designers, during a marathon on Sunday, September 28th starting at 11am EST. the marathon will lead in to the 7pm airing of Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton. check here for your local listings.

if you're anything like me, i suggest you set your DVR/TIVO to avoid compromising Sunday football! *wink* this way you'll also have the luxury to watch at your leisure. but whatever you do, be sure to watch at some point. you can gain a wealth of information for your FashioNova Files.