Paradise Lost

It is a very sad duty to inform my clients that Deckard Headwear is suspending production for the foreseeable future. The manufacturer I was using is, after over 150 years of business, closing its doors and thus I no longer have the ability to produce hats of the quality I, and you, require.

I will be issuing refunds.

Despite this sad turn of events, rumblings are a-brew about a new magazine that my comrades and I are formulating about all things interbellum. Great work afoot on that front.

There is a sartorial point I will make in this post, that being:

When it comes to how much shirt cuff should be shown, I go for about ½ or even one inch below the cuff. The shirt cuff must cover the wrist bone while your arms are at your sides while the jacket does not.

There is the presidential look that follows the modern James Cash Penney, Jr. look of wearing one’s jacket sleeve longer, but this isn't very clean...it may be more militaristic, granted, and can work with a sport coat as those are meant for more labor intensive wearing, but when one wishes to actually dress, the judging by the wrist bone method is the way to go.

If you are trying to be young and trendy—hip, if you will, do by all means show much more shirt cuff in your slender gear.

It's time for some marketing!

Just a peak at the new ad.

A stylist for the men of Los Angeles

Be mindful of your wears.

I’ve worked with celebrities and models and I’d love to work with you. Designing your own style is an adventure in itself. Whether you work on stage, in the corporate world, love a specific decade, you will always find it important to develop an eye that can weed out the mundane and ad too the essential pieces of you that you want in your closet. Whether you are lounging in a leather chair, or about to take over a meeting, your clothes should embody your “it” factor and show off your gravitas to its full effect. When you enter a room, even if you don’t own the room, you should look like you own the room. I want to help you understand why anatomy and balance when thought about and used to perfection in dressing can make your soul glow in any situation.

For further information or to make an appointment for a consultation, please feel free to call me or send me an email. 

Matt Deckard 

626 278 8495 mattdeckard@yahoo.com

Hounding for a Fox Umbrella?

John Steed is the cause of my love for the Fox steel tube umbrella. For years I lusted after the sleek look that Patrick Macnee made famous as John Steed, His bowler and brolly were part of the suit. For the bowler, I have a good collection nowadays. Even though in the show it was stated by a character that Steed only wore bowlers from Lock Hatters, there are a few scenes in which you can clearly see the Herbert Johnson shield in the liner… I have bowlers that are period correct from both companies. Anywho, back to the brolly. 

These days there aren't as many choices for a gentleman's umbrella, not like the choices you had in the early 1900s. I have myself a Swaine Aideny Brigg in a nice solid wood that can double as a cane if ever I need one, and a whangee handled  steel tube Fox Umbrella that mimics Steeds bumbershoot of choice. I love them both, yet prefer the sleek fox for the fact that it is sleek. The one problem I have with the modern version that Fox produces is that they now use a plastic runner rather than a brass one. Both my high end brollys are nylon covered, but sometime when I go back to London I promise I will have these rain protectors redone in a good silk… The patter of warted splatter on the canopy just sounds… well, proper.

Many of the older pics going to the twenties have the royals carrying the steel tubed umbrellas. Light jaunty and a narrower time for fashion altogether.

Nowadays they always seem to be carrying stick umbrellas with solid pieces of wood at the core... bit more sturdy if you use it as a cane -- which do you prefer?

Some inside shots for good measure.

That darned plastic runner that Fox uses these days.

Steed style with a Whangee grip

Roll up your fedora for travel

A good fur felt hat can last you a lifetime. It gains personality, becomes softer and holds its shape. Many hats, particularly wool ones, will wear out long before they become that constant companion that you can rely on. Let your fur felt become more and more rakish over time. Just remember to have it cleaned now and again.

I was asked to show how packable a fedora could be, so here is Deckard Headwear in action.

PackableAny felt breaks down over time, just like any suit wears out. I chose a very good felt so it wouldn't break down very quickly. I like clothes that I can abuse. This is a hat you can roll up and abuse... But don't forget to properly take care of it as well. Cleaning and blocking are required with a hat over time, just as a good suit needs cleaning and pressing now and again.

Quality fedoras made in the USA from mattdeckard.com 

Introducing the Cagney Fedora

The Powell in Tusk is on its way to clients,

and I'm here to preview the next design from Matt Deckard Apparel, the Cagney in MTB (Milk Tea Brown).

The Cagney has a 2 1/8" brim, a 6" open crown, and a 2 1/8" inch ribbon.
Also has a very soft roan leather sweatband and satin liner with Deckard Headwear logo in gold. Available for order now.

To order specify that you want the Cagney,  and paypal your size and $220 plus $14 shipping (for those outside the United States, Please inquire about international shipping prices) to mattdeckard@yahoo.com.

The Straw Boater

Was out having some photos taken for my upcoming boater article in Zelda Magazine. Here is a sneak peak.

Vintage Japanese straw boater

1920s Shuron windsor glasses
Matt Deckard Apparel Paramount collar shirt
Matt Deckard Apparel Laureate suit
1930s tie
Vintage collar bar
Vintage hanky