All About Suits Part IV

In consideration of Black History Month I’d like to take a look at the suit stylings of the Men of Color over the years.  Men of Color have a rich history of looking “regal” with lots of colors and originality dating back to when black people began worshipping in the church in their “Sunday best” up until present day.  Throughout history Men of Color have been and continue to be trend setters despite their station in life.  There were and still are a number of trend setters amongst Men of Color including performers, actors, sports figures and political leaders.  The pictures you are about to review will speak for themselves.  I’m sure you’ll agree that the Men of Color are SHARP!  However, I’d like to know who you think should be among these pictures so I’d like to hear back from you.  Please consider commenting at the very end of the blog or even better, please consider joining.  It won’t cost you anything.  (To add a comment just click on the word comment towards the bottom of the blog and a window will open to capture your feedback.  If you like to become a member click on the “Followers” banner at the top of the page on the right side.  If you’d like to see parts I, II and III of this series on suits please click on “Older Posts” at the bottom right side of this posting.) 
Now let’s take a look Men of Color over the years!  

Turn of the 20th Century

Business Attire

VanderZee Men 1909

Southern Businessman 1910

1920s

Activist Marcus Garvey and Associates 

The Great Paul Robeson

Young Louis Armstrong

1930s

4 Gold Medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympics

Jesse Owens

One of the greatest Dancers and Crooners

Bill Bojangles Robinson and the Mills Brothers

Author of "Native Son"

Richard Wright

1940s

Jazz Greats

Charley "Bird" Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane

Unknown Brothers

Dancing at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem

Spike Lee and Denzel Washington don Zoot Suits in Malcolm X movie

Jazz Greats

Thelonius Monk, Howard McGhee, Roy Eldridge, Teddy Hill at Milton's Playhouse

Unknown Black Family Portrait

1950s

Crooner Nat King Cole

Congressman Adam Clayton Powell on the right

The Greatest Musician of all time Miles Davis

Martin Luther King and his Men

The Incomparable John Coltrane

1960s

Morehouse Men

Motown's The Fourtops 

Oscar Winning Actor Sidney Poiter

1970s

Funniest Comedian of all time Richard Pryor

Ladies Man Billie Dee Williams

Brothers with their "Main Squeeze"

One of the Greatest Entertainers Michael Jackson

1980s

Ebony Founder John Johnson

Philip Michael Thomas from Miami TV series Miami Vice

Corporate Brothers

Blair Underwood from TV series LA Law

1990s

Former NYC Mayor David Dinkins

Black Enterprise Magazine Founder Earl G. Graves Sr. 

Former San Franciso Mayor Willie Brown

My All time favorite Baskeball Player Earvin "Magic" Johnson

2000s

Busiest Actor Samuel L. Jackson

Former NY Giant Tiki Barber

Don Banks (Tyra's Father)

Today

Best Dressed President of all time

Barack Obama

Photo Credits

Men of Color Fashion, History, Fundamentals, Lloyd Boston

Business Attire 134; VanDerZee men 18; Southern Business Man 20; Activist Marcus Garvey and Associates 132; Young Louis Armstrong 134; Jesse Owens 111; Bojangles and the Mills Brothers 12;

Unknown Brothers 21; Dancing at the Savoy 13; Spike and Denzel in Zoot Suits 85; Monk, McGhee, Eldridge, Hill 29; Unknown Black Family Portrait 137; Nat King Cole 29; Adam Clayton Powell 22;

Coltrane 30; Morehouse Men 22; Four Tops 51; Brothers with their Main Squeeze 23; Michael Jackson 25; Philip Michael Thomas 77; Corporate Brothers 25; Blair Underwood 76; David Dinkins 217; Willie Brown 217; Magic Johnson 122                                                                                              

 America I AM Legends Rare Moments and Inspiring Word, Tavis Smiley

Paul Robeson 27; Richard Wright 49; Bird, Dizz and Trane 73; MLK and his Men 82;

Sidney Poiter 122; Richard Pryor 74; John Johnson 103;

 October  2011 GQ Magazine

Miles Davis 122

Make Over Your Man, Lloyd Boston

Samuel L. Jackson 21; Tiki Barber 39; Don Banks 137

Salient News Sept. 19, 2011

President Barack Obama