Fred Astaire…what a softie!

Earlier this week, I was watching “Top Hat,” arguably Fred Astaire’s most well-known and well-liked film, and fell in love all over again with soft tailoring. I haven’t really watched much Astaire since my love-affair with tailoring began, but the way he wears those drape-cut suits is just miraculous.

Astaire was a renowned and celebrated Anderson & Sheppard client, although originally this fell somewhat to chance – A&S was the only firm on the Row that would dress someone with as dubious a profession as…dare I even say it….acting. Regardless of this partnership’s origins though, it was a match made in heaven as far as I am concerned. Imagining Astaire trying to tap and spin in a military-cut coat is almost painful, and would probably have proved impossible anyway. The silhouette of Astaire and his beautifully draped clothing is really as iconic as his dancing itself.

Favorite Astaire film anyone? Or favorite draped coat, while we’re at it?