The History of the Rake
By Izzy
Izzy has long believed that understanding the origin and history of various items of contemporary menswear adds greatly to their enjoyment. It was therefore with great delight that he learned from a kind reader that the New York Public Library is hosting an exhibition called “A Rakish History of Menswear.” Running from September 8 through April 7, the exhibition
brings together nearly 200 illustrated books, prints, photographs, and watercolor sketches in a survey of men’s dress from antiquity to the present… [T]he items on display tell the intriguing story of how men’s wear swung between ostentation and restraint until the early modern era. The exhibition pays particular attention to the rakes and rebels, from George “Beau” Brummell in the 19th century to style icons like Sean Combs today, who have defined masculine dress.
Should you visit the exhibit this weekend, you might get a glimpse of Izzy himself, who of course will be dressed for the occasion.
September 8th, 2006 at 1:33 pm
Izzy,What erea is your fave? My gusss would be the early 19th century (before 1840)
September 8th, 2006 at 2:45 pm
How will we fiind you?
I’ll look for someone dressed either like Mark Twain or Tom Wolfe.
September 8th, 2006 at 8:58 pm
Thanks for the info, I think your suit is really interesting. There’s so much in it! I’ve just begun a light-hearted, slightly satirical men’s fashion blog at http://a-suit-that-fits.blogspot.com/
Andy
September 8th, 2006 at 8:58 pm
i meant ‘site’ not suit!! lol
September 23rd, 2006 at 11:50 pm
A classic example of the double standard. It is far less insulting to call a man a rake than it is to call a woman a hoe.