Smoking Jackets - The Bygone Age Of The True Hipster Playboy

ghostsofpompeii

Several weeks ago the subject of Hipsters came up in the @PhilosoPiper post "A Millennial's Frustration", where he expressed his frustration with the miss-characterization of his affinity for pipe smoking, with the derogatory term Hipster. As would be expected The Pipeline Community came to his support and in a unified voice took issue with the intolerance of others.

But the negative 'retro-poser' terminology of Hipster today and the original Hipsters of generations past are two different animals. Oddly the negative use of the term Hipster can often come from the younger generation against their peers, which in contrast it was the adults of the 50s' and 60s' who stereotyped bearded poets in coffeehouses donning black turtle neck sweaters as Beatniks, and the long-haired youth of the 60s' in a paisley or tie-dyed shirt and bell bottom pants as a Hippies. The conflicts between counter-culture Beatniks and Hippies were usually along generational lines. Apparently no so today.

Now let's set Mr. Peabody's 'Way Back Machine' to what's often refereed to as The Golden Age Of Hollywood. When it was in vogue to be chic and sophisticated, and a Billiard pipe might be clenched between the pearly white teeth of a square jawed matinee idol like Cary Grant as he walked the red carpet on the Gala opening night screening of his latest film.

That's right ... Cary Grant was a Hipster to his very core.

The Hipsters of generations past were admired celebrities and part of the Hollywood elite, representing the opulent elegance of the millionaire playboy and the socialite debutantes.

And no garment best exemplifies that ultra cool Playboy persona than the silk or velvet smoking jacket. A look parodied by Christopher Walken as he portrayed his on-going character, 'The Continental' on the old 'Saturday Night Live' show. Back when it was funny.

The smoking jacket was worn by such Hollywood royalty as Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Fred Astaire (who was buried in his smoking jacket), Rat Pack members Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., and 'The Great One' himself, Jackie Gleason. As well as Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner.

Movies from the 40s' often featured men from the upper crust of society donning smoking jackets while sipping brandy and puffing on a pipe, cigar or cigarette in their wood paneled den. Even the master sleuth Sherlock Holmes could be seen wearing a smoking jacket in illustrations and on film.

The smoking jacket may be a relic of the bygone age of the true Hipster Playboy - but for those wanting to relive the opulent past I discovered a website where they sell replicas of vintage smoking jackets ... Historical Emporium. There you can get yourself as elegant or gaudy a smoking jacket as you desire for around $129.99.

Note to @Philosopiper: Next time your friends use the 'H' word, and call you a Hipster for smoking a pipe, give them the full effect by donning a silk smoking jacket and play it to the hilt with your best impression of Christopher Walken. Defuse the situation with a good laugh shared by all.         

ghostsofpompeii

But who in their right minds would wear a smoking jacket? Let's take a look.

I say who - not what!

Hiker007

I do not need to even think about a smoking jacket. My wife will not let me smoke inside. In addition I live in Florida. Earlier in the week the temp gauge read 101 degrees. Most days even at night it is too hot to sit outside and smoke. A person would be crazy to wear a smoking jacket in Florida.

Philip

A smoking jacket is really not complete without an ascot. Although they look fine without that little extra detail makes all the difference.

I do have a green engine room jacket (don't know what they are called exactly) that I slip on if I if I'm wearing something I want to shield the smoke from. 

PhilosoPiper

@ghostsofpompeii This would take me to a whole other level!

PappyJoe

You forgot the Fez! You can't forget the smoking cap of choice by the uppercrust of society!

Charles

Smoking jackets were more common in the Victorian and Edwardian eras.  Their usage declined, I believe, somewhere around the 1950s, before faded out of fashion altogether somewhere around the 1970s.  However, as with most anything, smoking jackets are still in use but not with the popularity as they once were.  I admit to wearing one at home while smoking a pipe or cigar.  It is a great protector against ash and hot embers.  I wear suits all day and usually do not change out of my suit until bedtime.  Most of the time, I am in and out so a smoking jack is perfect for that reason.  Smoking jackets are somewhat subjective.

motie2

pipeman83

I think smoking jackets are cool, I have a robe that I wear in the evenings during the winter when I smoke my pipe. You can find smoking jackets on ebay.

motie2

I have an old grey hooded sweatshirt for smoking outside when it's chilly. 

pylorns

I've got a nice once that my wife snagged me for christmas. 

philwieda

When I see photos of someone in a smoking jacket, I don't see a hipster, I see coolness as cool was. When I see someone dressed like Buddy Holly/Howdy Doody/Bettie Page in 2017, I see a hipster…a wannabe/poser/caricature

PappyJoe

I don't see anything wrong with women dressing like Bettie Page.

PappyJoe

ghostsofpompeii

I don't mind girls dressed like Bettie Page, I'm just not to crazy about old bearded guys dressing like her.

Anthony

I fully agree on The Bettie Page thing it looks great on some woman, as a matter of fact I've bought my wife several dresses from the Bettie Page store by Tatiana In California, and Las Vegas. As for the smoking jacket I do have my Fathers, all silk and beautiful, my Mom bought it for him in the early 60's. He would be 88 if he were still with us. I also have an ascot that was given me by my Uncle Dick. I have on occasion worn both epically at the holidays, it's fun, and my wife likes it. I will say I'm very blessed my wife likes my pipe and the smell of my tobacco, but I only smoke in our 9 season room, I have an elkectric stove out there so it perfect even in the dead of Chicago winters.  

motie2

@PappyJoe -- CONNOISSEUR indeed.

ghostsofpompeii

@Anthony During the 60s' while I was still in high school I had a Hell of a collection of ascots and worn them all the time. Back then you could get away with anything - fashion wise. And it helped being 16. I still think ascots are cool and probably wouldn't think twice about wearing one with the right shirt. Back in the day I had a closet full of paisley shirts that went great with the ascot. I'm just afraid at my age I'd look pretty bizarre wearing a paisley shirt with an ascot (and the optional vest). If I could lose about 40 more pounds I might actual try ... people might just think I'm eccentric. The only problem is that to pull off eccentric you also need to be rich. And even if I could drop the extra weight ... I'll never be rich. So I'll have to stick with rock T-shirts and blue jeans. 

motie2

<<So I'll have to stick with rock T-shirts and blue jeans. >> 

Along with flannel shirts, I managed to do that throughout a nearly 50 year career that according to "professional standards" required a daily suit and tie. 

I wore a suit only about once a week when it couldn't be avoided. 

I was considered both eclectic and eccentric amongst my erstwhile colleagues. 

Also, I empathize with the 40 pounds you mention. 

PappyJoe

I sympathize with the 40 pounds. In the years following my military retirement, I managed to put on 40 lbs. because I wasn't as active (pun intended) as I used to be. That and eating, drinking and partying more. Then about 7 years ago my doctor said the best way to keep my Type II diabetes under control was to loose weight. I now weigh about 14 lbs. less than when I retired. 

ghostsofpompeii

For the past two years I was a borderline diabetic - pre-stage the Doctor called it, and then right after the holidays I had a blood test and he informed me I had just crossed that threshold and was going to suggest putting me on medication. But I begged and pleaded to give me a chance to lose some weight and re-test me in 6 months to see if that helped. He compromised and gave me three months to lose weight. When I made that visit three months later I went from 220 to 197 and that 20+ pounds took me out of the confirmed diabetic range back to pre-stage. So the 20 pound weight loss helped. If I can drop another 20 I might have even better results. I'd really like to get somewhere near 175 and see how my skin fits. Sometimes when you get older and lose too much weight you end up looking more like a corpse. So 175 is my goal - and if I don't look like a loose-skin Walker I'll go lower. Unfortunately when I got on the scale this morning I was back at 202, so I'm headed in the wrong direction. What will determine if I get back on track is combating late night snacks ... the demon that pursues me when I let myself balloon up to 220. If I can keep that little devil at bay I'll reach my goal.     

motie2

@ghostsofpompeii -- My God, we're going through nearly the same scheiss.

PappyJoe

@ghostsofpompeii - I didn't discover I had Type II until I had back surgery in 1999 following a car accident two years earlier. Apparently not being able to be as active and my liking to eat and drink resulted in my blood sugar being just under 200 the morning of my surgery. I went on meds but no shots or insulin and kept my A1C in the range of "pre-diabetes" which made the doctor happy but I still put on more weight. At one time I weighed in at 253 lbs. 

That's when I got serious about the weight loss.

I cut back on the carbs, almost completely eliminated diet drinks and alcohol and walking more and the weight started coming off. Then we tried one of those once daily non-insulin shots and the weight came off even faster. Now I do a once a week non-insulin shot and my weight has been around 198 the last two visits. 

To me one of the best thing I did was cut back the "diet" soft drinks. I still drink one occasionally - usually when on a road trip, but they aren't part of my daily routine. When I drink beer or alcohol, it's usually no more than one or two a day and sometimes I go a week without one. 

I drink black coffee, unsweetened ice tea, and water. When I drink alcohol, it is usually sipping it over ice or straight. I make allowances every now and then for a good gin & tonic on hot days using a diet tonic water. 

I do smoke my pipe more often instead of drinking.

motie2

May we all be well.

motie2

<<When a writer wants to show that a character is just a little bit "above" everyone else in the group, in one way or another, he'll give them a pipe. Almost Always Male. The man with the pipe is usually depicted as being a little bit older, a little bit (or a lot) smarter (often a Professor), in control, composed, unruffled and dignified. Perhaps even pompous, snooty, aloof or a bit haughty. When being held, the stem points back at the smoker, drawing attention to them as being the most important; it can also be used by them to point with.

Generally does not apply to hillbilly/sailor corn cob pipe smokers, who usually defy the trope, though there are notable exceptions.

A key element in the attire of the Quintessential British Gentleman, often enjoyed in a Smoky Gentlemen's Club. Also a key wardrobe accessory for the Standard '50s Father. The smoker is often, but not always, a Good Smoker. Compare Cigar Chomper, Smoking Is Cool. Occasionally revealed as a Bubble Pipe for comedic relief.>>       

motie2

The horror.... the horror.....

Londy3

Ok, so honestly, who here in TPL wears a smoking jacket and do you wear it outside your home?

mfresa

Only BB wears it outside his home. I saw him in concert with a lime green jacket similar to this:
 

thebadgerpiper

I don't own a smoking jacket, as they're pretty pricey. If I was going to spend money on a smoking jacket, I'd probably talk myself out of it and buy another pipe instead. I wear a fishing vest in the summer to protect my clothes from burn holes, and some durable jackets for the winter. I have considered buying a fez for when I smoke a pipe, but for now my flatcaps will do.

Londy3

I don't think I would ever wear one. I also don't have flying ash issues unless it's a windy day. I don't know, it just seems a little odd to me. May even a little corny to wear one.

Londy3

The jacket BB is wearing really looks more like a regular dress jacket/blazer kinda thing.