The Rat Pack - How To Dress Like them
We often think back on the days of the classic gentleman at OTAA, a handsome bloke with a tilted Hamburg hat and a Sharkskin suit, briefcase in hand and a world of possibility at his feet. Think Frank Sinatra and his mates: Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop.
Think The Rat Pack. These guys pioneered Las Vegas glamour and genteel ritz in the 1950s and 1960s. They were famous because they weren't just men in suits. They were multi-talented entertainers and artists with a genuine appreciation for looking fine and putting on a great show.
The Rat Pack at one of their many performances in Las Vegas, having a good time.
The Rat Pack dressed to the nines in tuxedos (Note Davis's glasses and untied bow tie.)
The Rat Pack during one of their breaks in between performances.
The style the Rat Pack adopted is characterised by impeccable yet effortless tailoring and can be attributed to Sy Devore, the de facto tailor of the Rat Pack. His tailor shop at Vine Street near Sunset Boulevard, just around the corner from the Brown Derby restaurant, was a favourite hangout of the group, who would have Sy taking care of their tailoring. Whenever the Rat Pack came checking in, they ordered suits from him. This gave Sy Devore free rein to design their suits and, in turn, design and unify their signature look.
Sy Devore's suits for the Rat pack members were made from smooth worsted or sharkskin fabric. This fabric is woven with two yarns of different shades or colours to create a two-toned effect, usually in a "pick and twill" weave. The fabric has a soft texture since it is generally made from mohair, wool, silk, or a combination of all three. The fabric is also lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, moisture-wicking, and is perfect for transient weather during spring and fall. In addition, it has a slight sheen that resembles a shark's skin, hence sharkskin.
A few examples of sharkskin fabric.
The Rat Pack during a scene in Ocean's Eleven demonstrates the similarities between their suits (Note the differing shades of sharkskin fabric.).
In addition, these suits were also fitted close to their wearers' bodies, with a few alterations for each individual - for example, Sinatra would have the lapels of all his suit jackets be exactly 2.25″ (Sinatra was obsessively particular with his dress), Martin would have his collars done higher to offset his thick muscular neck. Davis would have his pants done thin without any breaks yet be athletically cut to do his dancing. In addition, the Rat Pack would always try to include orange in their outfits - whether it be a pocket square or a waistcoat since Sinatra's favourite colour was orange, layered amongst some fetching skinny ties and sharp tuxedos.
Sharkskin suits, slim ties and fitted dress shirts were hallmarks of the Rat Pack style.
The Rat Pack performing on stage for The Johnny Carson Show (far right) in 1965
The Rat Pack during a scene in Ocean's Eleven. (Note Peter Lawford's orange pocket square, far right)
A still from the film Robin and the 7 Hoods (Note the orange waistcoat on Frank Sinatra and the orange dress shirt on Martin)
Armed to the teeth with their sharkskin suits, they would go on to sing, dance, and be at their very best at their now-famous performances throughout the Las Vegas strip at now-famous venues such as the Sands Hotel and Casino. Their bonds of friendship and camaraderie were so outstanding that they even refused to perform at venues that don't allow African Americans to stick up to Sammy Davis Jr. so they could still perform together. Often, they would invite themselves to another's show and even participate in it when one was set to perform at a show solo. The Rat Pack will also go on to make a few albums and several films together, either by loose, informal association (cameos or minor parts in each other's films) or ultimately all in together - famous examples being "Ocean's 11" (1960), "Sergeants 3" (1962), and Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964).
(Rat Pack members Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra with comedian Jan Murray (left) unwind backstage at Carnegie Hall after entertaining at a benefit performance in honour of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. in 1961)
(Rat Pack members Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. sit at a table as Frank Sinatra pours Jack Daniels from a bottle at the Coconut Grove during Eddie Fisher's opening night on July 25, 1961, in Los Angeles, California)
The Rat Pack in one of their famous performances on the Las Vegas circuit, the 60s.
