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It’s nice when a company is sincere about the product they are selling. Take for example a line of clothing called “Sincerity Clothes.” As most of my GVS readers know, I am usually drawn to items designed between the 1930s and 1960s, but there are exceptions. Like this brochure selling men’s clothing. The illustrations are so beautiful, so smart and sophisticated, I had to share them with you. This pamphlet is in excellent condition, a surprise since it is more than 100 years old. Amazing!

That’s right. Here is the “Sincerity Clothes” Fall and Winter collection of 1918–19!

Contained within this catalog, is a snapshot of history. Provided by a company in Kirksville Missouri, it features ten illustrations of what the best dressed man would wear at the turn of the 20th century.

Most of the outfits have classic styles that could be easily be worn today. Some have little hints of accessories that have vanished into the mists of time, and some are costumes that are now relegated to history.

“Sincerity Clothes” were made by a company called Kuh, Nathan & Fischer based in Chicago. On the very first page they emphasized that quality and style were important features of their clothing line.

After such a buildup, I was expecting each illustration to showcase an outfit in a flattering light. I was incorrect. In the first drawing, the man has his back to us while he speaks to a beautifully dressed woman. You can clearly see her shawl and a wide brim hat, both items not for sale here. Still, the man’s ensemble is impressive. He’s dressed in matching coat and pants, with his coat cinched at the waist. He is also holding onto a cane and a hat. The collection is called the “Saville,” A comfortable and superbly tailored suit targeted for the younger man.

The second presentation is much better. The gentleman faces forward so you can clearly see his outfit. The “Henley” is designed to be worn during the winter season. It comes complete with a tailored jacket, matching pants, coat and hat. His collar looks rather stiff. Perhaps it was a detachable collar, which was fastened to a shirt by studs.

A third offering is for a slightly older sir. It’s called the “Kenaford.” The catalog claims that it is a “semi-conservative sack with all the details of correct fashion, yet without showing any of the ultra stylish tendencies. An extremely appropriate model for the dignified gentleman.”

I love this next ensemble. Called the “Strand.” It’s military lines “make this a very striking model indeed.” It comes with a matching hat, coat, gloves and cane, but an eye-catching feature are the spats on his shoes! This is one of those accessories I was telling you about. One that has nearly vanished into the past.

You can instantly tell the era of this outfit by seeing the spats. In fact, most of the men throughout these pages have spats on their shoes. It is the one enduring accessory that separates these clothes from their more modern counterparts.

Fifth we have the “Knox,” no relation to the Knox recipes I shared with you in an earlier post. This refined man has a longer overcoat, with a “lap seam over the shoulder in front, extending to the waist line in the back. A model for the man who desires style and expression.” Even though we only see his face in profile, you can tell he has an endearing smile. Hopefully he’s smiling at something other than his hat.

Now we turn toward an outfit tailored for the “more matured gentleman.” Called the “Chesterfield,” you see a dignified long coat over pants with a definitive pinstripe. I assume that the suit jacket underneath is also designed with a matching pinstripe. This Dapper Dan wears wire rimmed glasses and a distinguished mustache. He holds a newspaper, giving me the impression that he is a man of finance, checking the latest stock quotations. It’s a good guess, since the last paragraph of the description says that these duds “carry the dignity and refinement one expects to find in the clothes worn by the man of affairs!”

The next item for sale is a single overcoat, not a full suit. Called the “Creighton,” it goes nicely with his bowler hat and walking stick! Six buttons in three rows fasten the top third of the coat, leaving the bottom part to flap in the wind!

More than wind is pelting this gentleman. He’s out walking in the rain. Thank goodness he’s wearing his “Salisbury” coat. According to Sincerity, “this storm overcoat combines all the requirements of comfort and style. A general utility coat that any man would be proud to wear.” He does look proud!

Our last offering is a costume that definitely is relegated to history. It is an officer’s uniform, circa World War I. It has knee-high boots, pantaloon pants, and a high collar jacket with plenty of pockets. A wide belt wraps around the officer’s waist. Sincerity says that their uniforms “carry that neat military air about them. They comply exactly with government requirements and are of superior quality and workmanship and materials throughout.” I love that they think their uniforms are “neat!”

I think all of the outfits in this brochure are very “neat!” In fact, they’re fantastic. My thanks to “Sincerity Clothes” for sharing with us the epitome of high fashion. A window into men’s styles that in some ways are gone, but in other ways are still with us.

Each and every page is truly an example of Glorious Vintage Stuff!