Mae West: Effect on Menswear

The MAE WEST effect on menswear was announced in dailies on Monday, 19 February 1934.  Since the newer, curvaceous feminine silhouette inspired by the Brooklyn bombshell's figure had already proven popular, designers were paying attention. Observe how Mae's hourglass shape grabbed the attention of several manufacturers of higher-priced clothing for gentlemen.
• • Men's Spring Styles To Follow Stream-Line and Mae West • •

• • A United Press Staff Correspondent wrote: Vogue Magazine expects men to  spend $100,000 more for clothes this year. The new spring styles being shipped to dealers reflect a happier, snappier frame of mind. The cut of men's clothing follows the body effect of the new automobiles, and Mae West. The conservative styles that mirrored the Depression Era frame of mind have been replaced by the "New Deal" ideas reflected in colors copied from the brilliant plumage of American birds. . . .
• • U.P. explained: Coat lapels are cut lower to give a wedge-like effect to the shoulders. Waists are "pinched" to accentuate the effect.  . . .  More double-breasted styles than in several years are shown.  . . .
• • Source: Article rpt in The Evening Standard (Uniontown, PA; published on Monday, 19 February 1934.
• • On Wednesday, 19 February 1936 • •
• • The headline in Film Daily was "Mae West Cops Spotlight at Block Booking Hearing." That news item ran on Wednesday, 19 February 1936.
• • On Monday, 19 February 1940 in Life Magazine • •
• • The cover of Life Magazine's issue dated for 19 February 1940 featured the King of Romania. Inside were two aristocrats of comedy: Mae West and W.C. Fields.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Paramount and Metro have two troublesome women on their hands. At Paramount, it's a gal named Mae West. At Metro, a more platinum blonde named Jean Harlow. Both producers are thinking hard what they can do about them in the light of the church movement.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "I'm here to make talkies."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The New Movie Magazine mentioned Mae West.
• • Mae West's family is almost as interesting as she is, herself.
• • Since her Dad, an ex prize-fighter, moved into the apartment house with his famous daughter, the corridors are filled with more cauliflower ears and gold teeth to the square yard than you ever saw in all Madison Square Garden!
• • Dad is a swell guy and will bet on anything. The other day, there were two flies on a door, just sitting there minding their own business. Up comes Dad and offers to bet us either wav on which one would fly away first!  . . .
• • Source: "Hollywood Day by Day" column for The New Movie Magazine; published in  November 1934 
• • By the Numbers • • 
• • The Mae West Blog was started nine years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 2857th blog post. Unlike many blogs, which draw upon reprinted content from a newspaper or a magazine and/ or summaries, links, or photos, the mainstay of this blog is its fresh material focused on the life and career of Mae West, herself an American original.

• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo: • • Mae West • • in 1934 • •
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