Category Archives: Fashion

‘Bonnie and Clyde’ — Oh Dear

Posted on December 7, 2013 by lmharnisch

I don’t expect much from period productions these days. But my goodness, get a load of these two.

Posted in Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Television | Tagged , , , , | 27 Comments

Lyndon Johnson’s 1955 Shopping Spree at Oviatt’s

Posted on November 28, 2013 by lmharnisch

I’m always looking for Oviatt items and here’s a jacket that has been listed on EBay, with bids starting at $149.99. And not just any jacket. This one was tailored for future President Lyndon Johnson. For the record: As Wayne … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Fashion, Found on EBay | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

The ‘Masked Marvel Murder’ – Part 9

Posted on October 31, 2013 by lmharnisch

Note: This post has been corrected. See details below. In case you just tuned in, we have been going through the case of actor David G.G. Bacon, who was stabbed to death Sept. 12, 1943, in a case that remains … Continue reading →

Posted in 1943, Cold Cases, Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo — Newsboy Cap Edition XIII (Updated + + +)

Posted on October 14, 2013 by lmharnisch

I know, I know. I just did newsboy caps. But I couldn’t resist. Look: It’s an actual newsboy wearing a newsboy cap. I’ll bet you can guess the studio just from this crowd scene. How to Wear a Hat — … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , | 41 Comments

A Bit of Old Hawaii From Bullock’s Wilshire

Posted on October 1, 2013 by lmharnisch

This Hawaiian shirt made by Kahala and sold by Bullock’s Wilshire has been listed on EBay. In the years I have been following vintage clothing from Bullock’s (later Bullocks), I have never seen a Hawaiian shirt. Even so, the price … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo – Newsboy Cap Edition XII (Updated + + +)

Posted on September 30, 2013 by lmharnisch

This week’s movie was going to be a Western especially for Don Danard, but the DVD got vapor lock. Perhaps it will return another week if it learns to behave itself. In the meantime we have a movie with, yes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Film, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , | 26 Comments

Bullocks Wilshire – Collegienne Department

Posted on September 9, 2013 by lmharnisch

Yes, people actually used to dress this way back in the era of “I Love You, Alice B. Toklas” and “The Magic Christian.” This dress is from the Collegienne department of the now-defunct Bullocks Wilshire. Alas, there’s no shot of … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Found on EBay | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo — Newsboy Cap Edition XI (Updated +++)

Posted on August 12, 2013 by lmharnisch

Here we have a cute tyke with … a newsboy cap! How to Wear a Hat — Newsboy Cap Edition How to Wear a Hat — ‘Grapes of Wrath’ Edition Movieland Mystery Photo — Newsboy Cap Edition I Movieland Mystery … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , | 28 Comments

Chicago Schools to Teach Sex Education; Work Crew Digs Up Skeleton

Posted on July 10, 2013 by lmharnisch

New straw hats at Mullen & Bluett, Broadway and 6th Street. Straw hats are “jaunty, clever, correct.” But we knew that, right? July 10, 1913: Sex “hygiene” will be taught in the Chicago high schools after a vote by the … Continue reading →

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Our Decadent Era!

Posted on July 3, 2013 by lmharnisch

The latest in women’s apparel at Hale’s Good Goods, 541, 543, 545  S. Broadway. Young women, you are slaves to fashion! 541-545 S. Broadway via Google Street View. July 3, 1913: A rabid dog runs through the streets of Tucson, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1913, Animals, Fashion | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo — Newsboy Cap Edition IX (Updated ++++)

Posted on June 24, 2013 by lmharnisch

The opening credits for our mystery film have … newsboy caps! How to Wear a Hat — Newsboy Cap Edition How to Wear a Hat — ‘Grapes of Wrath’ Edition Movieland Mystery Photo — Newsboy Cap Edition I Movieland Mystery … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , | 33 Comments

Movieland Mystery Photo — Newsboy Cap Edition VIII (Updated +++)

Posted on May 20, 2013 by lmharnisch

Once again, we find newsboy caps in nefarious surroundings — note the presence of a slot machine in the background. Mary Mallory sends along a glass slide from her collection. Thanks, Mary! How to Wear a Hat — Newsboy Cap … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , | 29 Comments

How Not to Wear a Hat – Film Noir Edition (Updated ++)

Posted on January 29, 2013 by lmharnisch

This mystery gent has a rather crushed chapeau.

Posted in Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , | 33 Comments

‘Gangster Squad’: Fail – Part 1

Posted on January 13, 2013 by lmharnisch

Uh-oh. Nobody should be surprised — least of all Warner Bros. — that  “Gangster Squad” is a terrible movie. Anyone who saw the trailers or heard the industry gossip knew that it was going to be dreadful. It was a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1949, Fashion, Fashions, Film, History, Hollywood, LAPD, Mickey Cohen | Tagged , , , , , , | 22 Comments

How Not to Wear a Hat, Gangster Squad Edition

Posted on January 12, 2013 by lmharnisch

How to look like a hayseed just off the farm in really expensive clothes, as demonstrated by Sean Penn in “Gangster Squad,” costume design by Mary Zophres. Why does Hollywood have such a difficult time with men’s hats?

Posted in Fashion, Film, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , | 13 Comments

China Bans Traditional Clothing for Western Fashions

Posted on January 3, 2013 by lmharnisch

Jan. 3, 1913: The Chinese government issues an edict against traditional clothing in favor of Western fashions. Women were called upon “to abandon their trousers for the occidental skirt and men to give up their comfortable loose clothes for the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1913, Crime and Courts, Education, Fashion, Film, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on China Bans Traditional Clothing for Western Fashions

Found on EBay: Tom Mix Witzel Photo, Newsboy Cap Edition

Posted on August 24, 2012 by lmharnisch

The negative of a Witzel portrait of Tom Mix has been listed on EBay. He’s wearing a rather remarkable jacket and check out the newsboy cap! Bidding starts at $9.99.

Posted in Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Witzel | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Marc Chevalier – Curator of All Things Oviatt

Posted on August 9, 2012 by lmharnisch

Photo: The bedroom of the Oviatt Building’s penthouse. Credit: Larry Harnisch/LADailyMirror.com My latest column, on Marc Chevalier and his amazing knowledge of all things Oviatt, appears in The Times today. I should add that the 2008 documentary mentioned in the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1928, Architecture, Downtown, Fashion | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Found on EBay – Oviatt’s

Posted on June 11, 2012 by lmharnisch

Two hats from Oviatt’s have been listed on EBay by the same vendor. Bidding on each hat starts at $175. As with anything on EBay, an item and seller should be evaluated thoroughly before submitting a bid.

Posted in Fashion, Found on EBay | Tagged , | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Oviatt’s

N.Y. Bans Night Baseball!

Posted on May 19, 2012 by lmharnisch

May 19, 1942: It’s officially straw hat season in Los Angeles, so men, dump that felt chapeau and get yourself a nice Panama. Lee Shippey writes that the evacuation of the Japanese has forced many (white) Angelenos to get back … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Art & Artists, Baseball, Columnists, Comics, Fashion, Lee Shippey, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments