Roaring 1920s Mens Shirts- Gatsby to Boardwalk EmpireThe Vintage Dancer

1920s Suits and Shirt Worn in Boardwalk Empire

Over the next few weeks I will be attending to a few 1920s themed events with my husband. We have been watching Boardwalk Empire on HBO and are very interested in the clothing men of all walks of life wore in the 1920’s. We were especially drawn to the striped suits, colorful shirts, and two toned shoes a well dressed gentlemen would wear. With recent luck finding of a chalk striped suit and using an existing pair of two toned shoes we only need to find a 1920s style shirt to complete my husbands 1920′s look.

Locating a 1920s style shirt is quite easy online but rather difficult locally. Men’s roaring 1920s shirts featured contrasting white collars that could be detached or attached and a pair of french cuffs and cuff links. Not all 1920s shirt had white collars but they are the most iconic of the decade. Needless to say these style shirts are not readily available at local department stores. However online the sea of shirts is plentiful.

Homemade Club Collar

Besides the contrasting white collars shirt collars had different shapes. In the prior decade it was fashionable to wear rounded collars known as Club collars. This style of collar stayed popular through most of the 1920’s. How they were worn had some differences in the 20′s. With heavy fabric starch they could be stiff and un-starched they were soft and flexible thus more comfortable. For many the soft collars creased and rolled in an un-gentlemen like manner. Collar stays prevented some rolling while fancy gold tie bars or tie pins were preferred by upper-class men.

Eyelet Collar for Tie Pins

Shirts made for tie pins had two holes on either side of the collar to secure the pin. A tie bar has clip son either side to attached to a Club or pointed collar. Paul Frederick is the only store I could find that carry eyelet collars with french cuffs- a perfect shirt for 1920′s men.

Among fashion followers there was a great dispute over starched or un-starched collars. Societies were formed taking strong stances on the issue. These disputes raged on until the pointed collar took center stage and the need for heavy starch became obsolete.

Striped Spread Collar Shirt

The pointed spread collar came into fashion in the early to mid 1920’s. These new collars soon left the club collar out of fashion. That and the increasing popularity of the long tie replacing the bow tie (also know as a butterfly tie.) The long neck tie was worn with a thin sailors knot for many years before the Prince of Wales made the wide Windsor Knot popular. The wide width made the even wider spread collar increase in demand.

1920s Collarless Shirt

The final shirt collar option was to wear no collar at all. Detachable collar shirts have a thin round lip (like a Mandarin shirt.) Its was unfashionable to be out in public without an attached shirt collar however if you were rich enough and notable enough you could do whatever you wanted. The Great Gatsby for instance shocked his friends when he went out in public without a shirt collar. I am sure it didn’t take long before others in his circle went collarless too.

Both Paul Frederick and J. Peterman carry collarless 1920′s style shirts.

On the opposite spectrum of wealth were working class men who abandoned buttoning collars and wearing neckties altogether. These men, mostly American, were viewed as sloppy and unkempt especially by Europeans. Comfort was more important and comfort was achieved by freeing the neck from all restraint.

1920s Striped Shirts

Now that we have learned about the collar what about the shirts themselves? 1920’s shirts were quite colorful. Plain white was an option but usually only worn by the lower classes who couldn’t afford the more expensive colored ones and the elite for formal occasions. Instead men wore light colored solid shirts in coral pink, apple green, lavender, and light orange. These pastel colors matched those of ladies day dresses. Striped shirts were even more common then solid shirts. Any combination of colors could be mixed and matched to produce thin stripes, scrolls and plaids. It wasn’t uncommon to see a boldly striped shirt worn with an even bolder striped suit. A clash of colors and patterns added to the vivid life that made the roaring 20’s so iconic of fun and freedom.

Read more about 1920s Mens fashion or start shopping :

Satin Stripes White Club Collar & French Cuffs Dress Shirt

$30.00

The old school club collar with rounded points is enjoying a resurgence in popularity due to the 1920s mens fashion come back [Read more]

Store: Paul Fredrick MenStyle

Club Collar Grid Dress Shirt

$30.00

Used to artful advantage, seasonal color is the perfect pick-me-up for traditionally blue patterned dress shirts. The old school club collar perfectly balances the lively a... [Read more]

Store: Paul Fredrick MenStyle

Trim Fit White Club Collar & French Cuffs Dress Shirt

$40.00

Popular again, the old style club collar offers timeless attitude in polished white collar and cuff style. [Read more]

Store: Paul Fredrick MenStyle

White Club Collar & French Cuffs Dress Shirt

$50.00

Fittingly the first recorded use of spring green as a color name was mid 1700's. It was Crayola;&reg that actually dubbed this color seafoam. No matter the name, it cap... [Read more]

Store: Paul Fredrick MenStyle

European Style Alternating Satin Stripe Dress Shirt

$25.00

A multi striped shirt the Great Gatsby would be proud of. [Read more]

Store: Paul Fredrick MenStyle

1920's Inspired Satin Stripe White Collar and French Cuff Dress Shirt

$40.00

1920s Style white collar and French cuff shirt. [Read more]

Store: Paul Fredrick MenStyle

1920's Ideal Mens Shirt- White Club Collar & French Cuffs Dress Shirt

$40.00

Popular again, the old style club collar offers timeless attitude in polished white collar and cuff style. [Read more]

Store: Paul Fredrick MenStyle

Windowpane Double-Breasted Wool Suit

$280.00

The distinctive attitude of a double-breasted suit is as relevant today as it was thirty-years ago a la Gordon Gekko. Signature quality detail including better half canvas ... [Read more]

Store: Paul Fredrick MenStyle

Pioneer Round Collar (Blue)

$209.99

Only a brave fashion leader would wear a collarless shirt in the 1920's. Go ahead be brave and show off your Gatsby spirit. [Read more]

Store: Zappos.com

Pinstripe Wool Three-Button Suit

$230.00

A touch of unexpected color (in this case purple) has the power to transform the ordinary pinstripe into a very singular suiting choice. Signature quality tailoring includi... [Read more]

Store: Paul Fredrick MenStyle

Glen Plaid Wool Flannel Suit

$250.00

The warm, brushed softness of Super 100's wool flannel tailored meticulously for maximum comfort and an optimal fit. [Read more]

Store: Paul Fredrick MenStyle

Men's 4 Piece 4 Button Sharkskin Pattern Suit 1920s Style

$335.00

Sharkskin was a common fabric in the 20's. 4 Piece Suit with 4 Buttons. Feature high lapels which are very 1920's. [Read more]

Store: Womensuits.com

Signature 2-Button Wool Suit- Cream/Black Plaid with Rust Deco

$299.00

2-Button. Merino wool with exceptional softness and an uncompromising fit. Self-fabric scalloped facing, full Bemberg lining, soft shoulders. Signature suits have buttons s... [Read more]

Store: Jos. A. Bank

Signature Gold 2-Button Wool Suit- Grey Touch Plaid

$498.00

2-Button center-vent jacket for classic styling. Year-round fabric has fluid drape and rich hand for classic styling. Sleeve constructed for the addition of custom working ... [Read more]

Store: Jos. A. Bank

1920's Sharkskin Fabric Summer Suit

$199.99

Another complete Sharkskin 2 Button 3pc Vested Suit for a 1920's Boardwalk Empire Costume. [Read more]

Store: Sean John

1920's Style Double Breasted Men's Suit

$275.00

Designer Men's Suit Style Description Double Breasted Suit with Peak Lapels. Straited Pattern. Fully Lined. Dry clean only. The suits run true to size. Please choose the si... [Read more]

Store: Womensuits.com

Men's Classic 4 Button Wide Leg Suit (L1232)

$315.00

Wide legs for an accurate 1920's look with windowpane pattern suit for even more roaring 20's fashion,. [Read more]

Store: Womensuits.com

Signature 2-Button Wool Suit- Dark Blue Plaid

$298.00

Signature Classic Superfine Merino Wool Suit in 2-Button. Made from superfine merino wool for exceptional softness and an uncompromising fit. Self-fabric scalloped facing, ... [Read more]

Store: Jos. A. Bank

Men's 1920's Stripe Suit- Very Classy

$199.00

2 Piece Suit Single Breasted, 3 Buttons, Multi Stripe Pattern. Ideal for mens summer wear. [Read more]

Store: WomenSuits.com

Haggar Suit Separate 2 Button Gatsby Jacket

$79.99

Suit separate 2 button Gatsby jacket features 2 exterior pockets, 4 interior pockets and back pleat. [Read more]

Store: Boscov's Department Stores

Men's Suits 3 Piece Stripe Stacy Adams Suit 1920's Gangster

$309.00

Gangsters were prevalent in 1920's even though the 1940's take the spot light. [Read more]

Store: Womensuits.com

Roaring 20's Pinstripe Costume Suit

$39.99

Mens polyester pinstripe suit has two button front, decorative front pockets, and matching suit pants. [Read more]

Store: ElectriqueBoutique.com

1920's Gastby Pink Men's 3 Button Shadow Stripe Suit

$322.50

3 Piece Suit with 3 Buttons. Satin Lapels, Embossed Shadow Stripe Jacket. Vest with Lapels with Piping Detail. [Read more]

Store: Womensuits.com

White Linen Pants

$34.00

White pants for your summer Gatsby party. Solid linen pant features a button/zip fly closure, slash front pockets and belt loops. [Read more]

Store: Sean John

Wide Leg 1920s Oxford Bags Trousers

$29.95

Ideal late 1920's wide leg, oxford bad, style pants. Hem them to your own length. [Read more]

Store: DanceStore.com

Signature Year-Round Box Check Pleated Trousers

$135.00

Premium wool works year-round. Button-through back besom pocket, premium pocketing, half-lined to the knee. Unfinished bottoms for altering ease. Dry Clean. Imported. [Read more]

Store: Jos. A. Bank

1920's Oxford Bags Mens Pants

$29.95

Ideal 1920;s wide leg, oxford bad, style pants. Hem them to your own length. [Read more]

Store: DanceStore.com

1920's Suit Vest

$49.98

Basic day wear vest in brown. [Read more]

Store: Macys.com

1920's Spectator Two Tone Tuxedo Shoes

$174.50

Fun two toned oxford shoes. Available in black, gray, burgundy or brown with white accents. Available in a large selection of sizes including wide. [Read more]

Store: Tuxedos Direct

1920's Mens Two Tone Spectator Shoes- Cheap!

$14.99

Black and white oxford style shoes have a 1 1/2 inch heel, 1/2 inch platform, squared toe and lace up front. Great for any 20's costume. [Read more]

Store: ElectriqueBoutique.com

1920's High Fashion Two Tone Wing Tip After Six Tuxedo Shoes

$125.00

Perfect black and white lace up, man-made patent leather finished with classic wing tip detail. The height of old-world cool. This shoe's cushion insoles make it super comf... [Read more]

Store: Tuxedos Direct

Wool-Feel 3 Piece Men's Suit with Classic Pinstripes (P1062)

$289.90

Designer Men's Suit Style Description 3 Piece Suit, 3 Buttons with Classic Pinstripes. Wool-Feel Poly Rayon. Fully Lined. Dry clean only. The suits run true to size. Please... [Read more]

Store: WomenSuits.com

Stacy Adams Men's Gatsby 1920's Cap Toe Oxford Shoes

$60.47

The crocodile-embossing and perforation accents on this soft leather design lend a little additional style to this already handsome look. The cushioned insole and smooth l... [Read more]

Store: Endless.com