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The Gentleman's Wardrobe: Vintage-Style Projects to Make for the Modern Man
For debonair gentlemen who eschew denim if favor of tweed, and feel that grooming and gallantry should not be consigned to history, this book will suit your needs. The Gentleman's Wardrobe features a cornucopia of elegant garments and accessories to sew, this beautifully illustrated book is full of inspiration and charm.
Including beautiful garments such as pajamas, vest, trousers and jacket, plus indispensable accessories such as a cravat tie, flat cap and wallet, there's something for every fellow who's looking to be urbane than urban. Whether you make these smart projects for yourself of a loved one, this selection of vintage-style projects will put a spring in anyone's step.
Including beautiful garments such as pajamas, vest, trousers and jacket, plus indispensable accessories such as a cravat tie, flat cap and wallet, there's something for every fellow who's looking to be urbane than urban. Whether you make these smart projects for yourself of a loved one, this selection of vintage-style projects will put a spring in anyone's step.
174 pages, Paperback
Published April 18, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 14, 2017
Useless.
The entire point of custom making your own garments is to achieve perfect fit. There is zero guidance on making any size other than her "standard" small, medium, and large. Her small only goes down to 36" around the chest, which is not small at all. The large only goes up to 42", which is only four inches larger and also, not all that large. No provision is made for the fact that men come in different heights either.
I am pretty sure I have never encountered a worse book of patterns.
I did love all the pictures. If standard, off-the-rack, clothing fits you like bespoke, then you could use these patterns. They look like very nice patterns. Spend weeks making clothes that you could buy at a secondhand shop for the money you make in two hours!
There is nothing wrong with the patterns themselves as far as I can tell. But pattern kits regularly go on sale for 99 cents and half of these are in Simplicity 2895. (The first result I got for "simplicity pattern men vintage" if you took ten minutes to look, I am sure you could easily find perfectly good patterns for each item in the book for a tiny fraction of this book's cost or possibly even free.)
The entire point of custom making your own garments is to achieve perfect fit. There is zero guidance on making any size other than her "standard" small, medium, and large. Her small only goes down to 36" around the chest, which is not small at all. The large only goes up to 42", which is only four inches larger and also, not all that large. No provision is made for the fact that men come in different heights either.
I am pretty sure I have never encountered a worse book of patterns.
I did love all the pictures. If standard, off-the-rack, clothing fits you like bespoke, then you could use these patterns. They look like very nice patterns. Spend weeks making clothes that you could buy at a secondhand shop for the money you make in two hours!
There is nothing wrong with the patterns themselves as far as I can tell. But pattern kits regularly go on sale for 99 cents and half of these are in Simplicity 2895. (The first result I got for "simplicity pattern men vintage" if you took ten minutes to look, I am sure you could easily find perfectly good patterns for each item in the book for a tiny fraction of this book's cost or possibly even free.)
February 5, 2025
I purchased a copy.
A fair number of interesting projects, including flat caps and messenger bags, I would like to make. Includes full size patterns in a pocket in the back of the book. These projects would be a good jumping off point for a steampunk cosplay.
A fair number of interesting projects, including flat caps and messenger bags, I would like to make. Includes full size patterns in a pocket in the back of the book. These projects would be a good jumping off point for a steampunk cosplay.
October 7, 2017
I enjoyed this book very much. This book contains a collection of classic basics for men that can be made again and again. While this isn't a learn-to-sew beginner-y book, there's a good spread of easy to medium to complex projects, and I applaud Moocie for including a blazer and trousers.
The book's styling and photography has a vintage/tweed/smart dressing/1940's theme (no stretch fabrics here).
The full-sized patterns require tracing off the master sheet at the back of the book, but are clearly laid out. The illustrated instructions look easy enough to follow without problems.
I agree with other reviews: an oversight with this book is the narrow size range (S-M-L). An extra size or two larger would make this book usable to many more people.
I borrowed this book from the library but liked it so much I ordered one.
The book's styling and photography has a vintage/tweed/smart dressing/1940's theme (no stretch fabrics here).
The full-sized patterns require tracing off the master sheet at the back of the book, but are clearly laid out. The illustrated instructions look easy enough to follow without problems.
I agree with other reviews: an oversight with this book is the narrow size range (S-M-L). An extra size or two larger would make this book usable to many more people.
I borrowed this book from the library but liked it so much I ordered one.
October 25, 2020
Pros: photography is top notch. Lots of clear instructions on how to construct the patterns. The pattern pages themselves are nice thick paper, good for tracing off of.
Cons: the patterns only come in 3 sizes, and they're fairly "average" to boot. I might fit the "large" in most items. Maybe. If you don't fit straight sizes you'll almost certainly be out of luck, or have a lot of altering to do.
This isn't a raw beginner's book - there's a fair amount of assumed knowledge in the instructions. That being said, you can probably middle through if you've sewn a few things and know the basics.
Cons: the patterns only come in 3 sizes, and they're fairly "average" to boot. I might fit the "large" in most items. Maybe. If you don't fit straight sizes you'll almost certainly be out of luck, or have a lot of altering to do.
This isn't a raw beginner's book - there's a fair amount of assumed knowledge in the instructions. That being said, you can probably middle through if you've sewn a few things and know the basics.
May 19, 2019
Interesting projects that interest DIY people to create own wardrobe of daywear, night attire, and accoutrements. Illustration is impeccable. Unexpected read for vintage-style wardrobe.
July 13, 2021
This is a great lookbook. The styling was very enticing. I am a new-ish sewist and the instructions were not newbie-friendly. Also, I felt there was opportunity for more detailed measurements of finished garments. I visited the author's profile on instagram and saw a similar comment asking for more detailed measurements for completed garments. Having said that, I sewed the boxer shorts pattern and my husband was absolutely delighted with the final product.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews