Thursday 31 December 2015


Dating from 1966, this is a  Ben Zuckerman coat-' Meticulous tailoring in a white double-breasted coat in nubby Anglo Fabric.'
This coat was shown in a tie-in advertisement for the movie 'The Chase', staring Robert Redford, Jane Fonda and Marlon Brando. It is not indicated whether this coat was used in the movie or was just inspired by the The Chase.

Friday 25 December 2015


An interesting ad- for Texolite paint- featuring a lovely Ben Zuckerman cocktail ensemble.
'Fashion Rated Colours in Texolite Paint- perfect setting for you- Texolite fashion rated colours. For your dress.... your colouring.... your own so-individual personality!
Perfect indication, too, that you are aware of the subtle ways of style- for these delightful new pastels take their inspiration from the fashions of the day.'
The outfit featured in this ad is made of silk satin, in an emerald green. The dress is tightly belted, and is topped by a cape like coat trimmed at the neck by a huge fur collar.

Monday 21 December 2015



From 1967- a Ben Zuckerman suit.
This suit dates from the very tail end of Ben Zuckerman's career (his house closed the following year).
Ben Zuckerman had a conservative clientele, who wished to follow current fashion while still remaining traditional. This suit perfectly illustrates this. By 1967 fashions were all about the 'youthquake'- with short skirts and girlish fashions the norm. This suit was a younger look, the skirt knee length but it still retained a more conventional look.

Saturday 12 December 2015





What a gorgeous coat! Made from very lightweight wool, it features huge cuffs decorated with large buttons.
The coat has a nipped waist and has an asymmetric closure. This coat is in a neutral colour, to allow the design of the coat to shine through.
Photos courtesy of Trixie Fried Vintage.

Monday 7 December 2015







This is a lovely Ben Zuckerman jacket, once part of a suit. It dates from the 1950's. It is made of grey wool, and it features a tiny waist, and an interesting collar that starts as lapels and becomes a bertha collar at the rear.
The jacket was sold at Rose Alkon, Detroit. This was a boutique that was located on The Avenue of Fashion in Detroit, an upscale fashion district full of higher end stores.
Photos courtesy of Farmhouse_Vintage.

Friday 4 December 2015



From Truth Magazine (Sydney),  8 November, 1953- 'Cool as cologne on a hot summer day is a frost white suit, designed for elegance and comfort in Paris or New York.'
Frosty white embroidered Egyptian cotton is used by Ben Zuckerman of New York for an afternoon suit with a figure flattering jacket, which is arched at the hip line and fastened with close set pearl buttons.

Saturday 28 November 2015



From Truth Magazine, Sydney, Australia-
'White Dressing- Winter white is the theme for suits and coats, designed in London and New York in shades ranging from pure frosty white to creamy top-of-the-milk tones.
Pockets in line with the off-set collar, detail this off-white brushed wool coat designed in New York by Ben Zuckerman.'

Friday 20 November 2015






This is a Ben Zuckerman suit, in green and pink tweed, dating from the early 1960's. It is obviously influenced by Chanel, down to the weighted chain in the jacket's hem to help the jacket hang properly.
The skirt is a faux wrap style and falls to just below the knee. The suit is beautifully understated and feminine and is tailored to perfection.
Photos courtesy of Charles A. Whitaker Auction Company.

Tuesday 17 November 2015


From The Sydney Morning Herald- 25 September, 1952.
'Ben Zuckerman, winner of the Tenth Annual (1952) American Fashion Critics Award for his 'impressive contribution to the beauty, distinction and originality of coat and suit fashions.'
This is a picture of Mr Zuckerman working on a suit of his own design. You can get a sense of his worldwide importance, as this article appears in an Australian newspaper.

Friday 13 November 2015


This is a Ben Zuckerman coat, dating from 1951 was photographed by Richard Avedon.
It's a real beauty, in grey tweed with very large lapels, and pale fold-back cuffs. The coat doesn't have any buttons or fastenings, which makes this a clutch coat, a very popular style at this time. The wearer would 'clutch' the coat closed when needed.

Tuesday 3 November 2015


This interesting picture, taken by Richard Avedon in 1962, features two Ben Zuckerman coats.
The coat in the foreground is double breasted in a light wool with contrasting buttons and a small peter pan collar. The rear coat is hounds tooth and is also double breasted and is collarless. Both coats appear to have bracelet length sleeves.

Saturday 31 October 2015


This lovely Ben Zuckerman coat dates from the 1960's. It is princess seamed in pink wool, and is trimmed at the cuffs and neckline in Chinchilla. This would have been a very expensive coat at the time, probably in the $900 range which would have been close to 2 months wages for the average American.

Tuesday 27 October 2015





This is a lovely Ben Zuckerman suit, in a thick tweed, dates from the late 1950's. The jacket is very well tailored, with 4 patch pockets and large, decorative buttons.
This suit perfectly illustrates Ben Zuckerman's expertise as a tailor. It is deceptively simple, and is in a conservative style that would not date easily. It was designed to flatter the wearer and would be the perfect backdrop for any accessories.
Photos courtesy of betmcc1.

Friday 23 October 2015


From The Philadelphia Inquirer, 8 March, 1960.
'The reversible coat is back in fashion's spotlight. This style, by Ben Zuckerman combines grey wool with off-white. Details include patch pockets and pearl buttons.'

Friday 16 October 2015


From The Philadelphia Inquirer, 15 February, 1957.
'Navy reefer is interpreted in an Italian diagonal fabric, stars brass button trim. By Ben Zuckerman, this coat will appear during an invitation breakfast showing Wednesday at Lord & Taylor. Mr Zuckerman will introduce the fashions.'

Friday 9 October 2015

From February, 1960-  The Tunic Suit.
'From the centre of interest, an extravagant feminine pouf of tailoring... a pipestem skirt...petitpoint wool almost as light as an early spring mist... only Ben Zuckerman can design it so it does something wonderful for everyone size 10 to 16. Put yourself in this navy and see the fashion world. $245. Philadelphia suit salon, fourth floor.  Bonwit Teller.'

Thursday 1 October 2015


From The Philadelphia Inquirer, 15 February, 1957.
'Minutely checked brown and white wool suit for spring features a slim skirt and companion jacket, belted at the natural waistline by a mere ribbon of patent leather.'

Friday 25 September 2015


From The Philadelphia Inquirer, 13 January, 1962- Vintage Year Looms for Suits.
'Ben Zuckerman's interpretation of fit is seen in his checked suit, with a slim jacket, flared at the hips, above a sheath skirt.'

Saturday 19 September 2015


From The Chicago Tribune, 17 July, 1953.
'Outstanding example of Ben Zuckerman's costume suit, a panther slim wool dress in caramel colour topped with short coat of tweed, in white, grey and caramel.'

Thursday 10 September 2015








This very modern looking Ben Zuckerman ensemble dates from the late 1960's. It is made of creamsicle orange silk and consists of a dress and jacket.
The jacket is perfectly tailored, and has wonderful diamante buttons. The dress is a sheath and has matching buttons at the bust.
This outfit was retailed at Julius Garfinkel, the high end boutique in Washington, DC. You can see the tags are still present, meaning this is New Old Stock, a very rare bird indeed. When new, this outfit would have been a very expensive item, retailing a t$535 ($2000 today), representing 20% of the average yearly salary. Garfinkel's would add lingerie straps and dress shields to any item they sold, a high end touch.
Photos courtesy of Badger201143.

Monday 7 September 2015






This Ben Zuckerman suit, in bright red dates from the late 1960's. The jacket is double breasted with patch pockets and a smart black velvet collar. The skirt is a line and simply tailored.
What is interesting is that this suit comes with some 'extra' material to match- this was something that was more frequently done in the past. I have read numerous home-ec and advice books from this era that advise when buying a new suit or coat to ask the store to order you some of the same material in case repairs might be needed in the future or the purchaser needed to adjust the size of the garment. The store would obtain the material directly from the designer.
Photos courtesy of KatrinaSurvivor.

Friday 4 September 2015






This gorgeous red jacket, once part of a  suit is really unique. The jacket is designed to look like a shirt, with a pleat in the back to enable free movement of the arms, and mock pockets at the breast. The sleeves are three quarter and have a cuff, and the buttons are brass and are very decorative.
Photos courtesy of Vintage and Retro Things.

Monday 31 August 2015


From The Chicago Tribune, 25 June, 1952.
'Dress parade suit for Fall in grey imported wool with black scroll design. It is contrasted with velvet collar and is an original by Ben Zuckerman.'