Monday, December 7, 2009

The Duke Of Windsor: Royal Style, Plus My First Giveaway

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King Edward VIII (born June 23, 1894) abdicated the British throne after reigning for less than a year, from January 20, 1936 to December 11, 1936. He had caused an uproar both in the government and among the public when he proposed marriage to the American divorcée (she had already been married twice) Wallis Simpson. Edward decided to give up his throne so he could marry the woman he wanted. His younger brother, George VI, would be crowned as the new monarch. Edward had only served 325 days in that role. He was given the title of Duke of Windsor by his brother on March 8, 1937. Edward and Wallis were married on June 3, 1937. Wallis would be known as the Duchess of Windsor, but could not be referred to as
Her Royal Highness.

The Duke of Windsor was stationed in France during World War II. He and his wife were rumored to have Nazi sympathies. Edward was eventually sent to the Bahamas as the Governor there. It was his last official government post. He went into retirement after that, spending dividing his time between Europe and the United States. The Duke and Duchess were fixtures of the high society scene for many decades. He died at the age of 77 on May 28, 1972.

This post has more to do with the style of the Duke rather than his personal life, but I did want to give some background information on him for those that don't really know anything about him. Whatever his personal weaknesses and failings might have been, the Duke of Windsor was the epitome of great classic style. He was a fashion icon for men of his era. Edward used the same tailor for decades. His wardrobe itself spanned decades became he never lost the trim figure of his youth. I think it shows that style is timeless. It's not trendy. It's ageless and can be worn throughout the years. The Duke of Windsor remains an inspiration for men today who are seeking role models in men's style.

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There is a wonderful article at the New York Times from 1998 about the Duke of Windsor' style. I hope you'll check it out. Here's an excerpt from it:


The Duke practically invented comfortable clothes. As Kerry Taylor, the Sotheby's specialist who has spent seven years preparing for this sale, explained, ''He was reacting to his buttoned-up and old-fashioned childhood.''

Ms. Taylor said the Duke so disliked suspenders that he invented pants with elastic in the waist. He didn't like buttons on pants, so insisted on zippers, which were large and primitive in the 1930's. He preferred buttons on the sleeves of his jackets -- four, to be precise. He always wore cuffs on his trousers, which infuriated his father. After World War II broke out, he had his pants made in the United States because textiles were rationed in England and cuffs required extra fabric.

The Duke was also very practical. He invented safari pants that could be turned into shorts simply by rolling them up and buttoning the cuffs to button holes on the hips.


P.S. I am doing my first giveaway over at my Sugar & Spice blog. Click on Perricone Giveaway. I hope you will check it out and enter the giveaway. It runs until Friday, December 18th. You must be a resident of the United States though to enter. Thanks for your entry. Good luck.

For those who are fans of Penelope Cruz, please check out my my latest post on my Sugar & Spice blog. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the photos I posted of her. Plus if you leave a comment on that post (and are a resident of the United States), you'll receive a second entry into my giveaway. That should be some good incentive to get you to comment on that post. Thanks.


61 comments:

Leah said...

The Duke has impeccable style...and very practical too.

Maggi said...

Yes, quite the dapper gentleman I dare say! Heading over to Sugar and Spice! :D

Fabulous Finds Gal said...

Wow, he was one sharp dressed man. So ahead of his time. Great post, Keith! Keep um coming.

Christina
Fabulous Finds Gal

ps. I added your fine blog to my blogroll today. Cheers and stay cool!

Indy said...

What a stud...and good for him for following his heart!

lorenabr said...

Great life style, love the pictures, just way toooooooooooooooo many dogs for me!!! But cool post.

erika sorocco said...

I've always been obsessed with royals. In my mind I imagine I'm a princess, in fact! Love this post - and all of the photographs! Fabulous job, Keith! :)

Miss Matilda said...

I've just bought this for Xmas for Mr M, the Prince lives on!
Very stylish the HRH, who wouldn't be with all those tailors to hand, I'd like to see Harry and Wills get a bit of
individuality like the Prince did in his day.


http://store.turnbullandasser.co.uk/Shirts/Check/Blue_Prince_of_Wales_Check_Shirt.html

Nancy Sinatra Fan said...

This is one of my favorite posts you have done so far. I love the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. They both had such incredible style.

Unknown said...

Swank indeed. DIG that Pipe!!!

Tom Bailey said...

I like your blog you have a wealth of photos from a fun era to look at thank you for sharing them.

Tom Bailey

Video Zeta One said...

Great pics. Eddie had style, that's for sure.

Thomas Pluck said...

Never been a fan of the royals, but respected this fellow. And yes, his style was impeccable and certainly echoes today. I have to thank the man for marrying comfort and style. And we have his grandfather to thank for the full Windsor knot, that bold and classy style of tying the tie.

Gabbi said...

Such a fan of the Duke, his very regal style and the fantastically romantic story of him and his Wallis. Wonderful post and giveaway Keith. I've seen that cream on other blogger sites and it does sound like a great product.

Anonymous said...

He would have been the perfect King...

Treacle said...

I love the Duke's suits..just went to a vintage fashion show the other night and saw lots of Windsor cuts suits. They look just as good now as they did then! :-)

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and commenting, Keith.

KP said...

he's quite dapper-and thanks for the background info-very interesting xo

Elizabeth Marie said...

The Duke is so cool!!!

I missed your Birthday, I'm so sorry Keith! I hope you had a great day!

Don said...

Oh, he was a dandy! Thanks for all the great pics.

jordiegirl said...

I think they were a wonderful couple, both very stylish.

I believe he did the right thing following his heart, some our present royals could learn a thing or two from him in my opinion. Shouldn't ruin other people's lives just to keep their parents happy, marry the person you love, not the one your parents want you too - sure you all know who/what I mean.

Incidentally, my mam used to talk about this situation when she was alive, and I am sure she was of the same opinion as me, and from what she said most of the English people too.

Some Like it Vintage.com said...

A wonderful post! An elegant and well dressed gent never goes out of style. It helps to keep fit and trim too!
Hope you had a splendid weekend and again, happy belated birthday!
xoxox

chic femme said...

Great post. He really knows how to dress. :) I love the pic of him with the cigar he almost reminds me of Michael Cain in that picture. I am not sure why but it really does. :)

Zuzana said...

Ah, I love the story of Edward and Ms. Simpson. It is so romantic... I always loved the fact that he gave up the throne for the woman he loved...
Beautiful pictures.
Have a great evening,
Zuzana

B a la Moda said...

What a character!Like the way he dresses.
xoxo
B* a la moda

Anonymous said...

Wow The Duke was one cool guy! I can't wait to head over to sugar and spice!

Sam said...

Wonderful epic HRH post Keith!! He was a dapper chap for sure - he had that check - the Prince of Wales Check named after him - did he or maybe I've got it wrong! The Duchess wasn't too shabby either, was she? Have a great week - and I'm sorry I shan't be able to enter that terrific giveaway being an Aussie!! :(

Jess-Gab said...

what a style!great post

Maria Confer said...

I love the Duke of Windsor, but really dislike Wallis!!!

I love how he had pugs and cairns, two of my favorite breeds.

lululetty.blogspot.com

bananas. said...

looks like a stud! and the fact that he gave up his throne for a woman, well that's just romantic :)

hope you had a good weekend!

Anonymous said...

These are some great photos- he was quite dashing! I love the photo of him holding his dog in the wind- he's wearing a plaid shirt- cute moment to capture!

Wolf Boy said...

I didn't know who he was until I read this post. He sounds like such a fascinating individual. I really love his style.

Mom Fashion World said...

nice vintage pics!
the giveaways sounds so exciting here!

Belle de Ville said...

The Duke...what a sense of style.
I wonder, who today has such a sense of style...any ideas?

Unknown said...

awesome photos - classy classic

Have a great week, my friend!!!

Amy said...

I dig the duke Keith! He looked like a very stylish man

mAdi*cakes said...

Thank you for the lovely comment. I really appreciate it and I hope you are doing well. I will definately be checking this blog. LOVE classic style.
peace

Stéphanie said...

So elegant !
http://mimietnini.canalblog.com/

www.janetteria.com said...

WOW! Duke has got awesome style. :-)


X♥X♥

A PIECE OF PASSION said...

Great pictures :)

A PIECE OF PASSION

Graham I. Haynes said...

The Duke is someone I hear about from time-to-time, but I never knew that his story was steeped in fashion lore. Great post, very informative!

miriam (Björn Borg) said...

what a stylish fella!

Anika said...

I always think of corgis when I think of the Duke of Windsor?!!!

But impeccable style indeed.

Have a great week, Keith.

Ina Seb said...

his wife is quite an elegant lady as well!

Anonymous said...

Hi Keith
Love the style of the Duke.

Thanks for visiting Vintage a'Go Go.

Bel said...

I am adding you to my reading list, by the way

Bel said...

Really stylish!!

Martiarti said...

Hi! I'm fine, thank you;) I was very amazed your comment because only my friend from Poland usually read my blog;) Thank you for your comment.
Your blog is very interesting;)
Cheers!

Unknown said...

Keith, what an amazing post! I really enjoyed looking thorugh old pictures - spectacular hats, by the way!:-) Interesting story and fasinating article, thank you for sharing!So excited about your give away!!!

Unknown said...

Gosh, he looks so much like prince charles, but better.

Mondo said...

Very snappy and very regal - love the two tone brogues, and that blue check suit really is something special

Dominica said...

Letus make a movie, you canplay the King and I will be Mrs Simpson ...great idea or what ??

Charlotte said...

Thanks for your visit.




Kisses,




Ch.

Tights Lover said...

Great pictures. He did have great style.

I kinda want a cigar right now too! Hahaha.

AutumnJones said...

I like this post!

Unknown said...

The Duke did have such outstanding style. He was quite the gentleman. Nice and sharp, sophisticated, elegant...Both the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were fashionable! Love this post!

ilovecoolthings said...

Keith, thank you for the well wishes darling and a happy belated to you! turning 39 in a man's world is like turning 27 in a woman's world.... qu'elle nightmare! anyhoo!
i always though the Duchess of Windsor was so classy and come on - all those pooches? LOVE!

x

Unknown said...

I love cuffed pants on a man. It presents a custom tailored look, even if it hasn't been ;)

Jill said...

I adore the tux with the white flower...is it a gardenia or maybe a carnation? I'm going to have my husband duplicate this New Year's Eve.

Unknown said...

SUCH fabulous images. gorgeous. definitely timeless. he is so dapper and elegant.

Giannis said...

unbelievably style,

classic but also still so modern !

Witchcrafted Life said...

What a strikingly excellent post, Keith - one of my very favourite of yours to date. Superb images of a truly dapper chap (and his peers), thank you very much for sharing!


Have a marvelous Wednesday!
♥ Jessica

Cheryl Lynn Pastor said...

Clearly, this man was the epitome of style and grace. You know, it's funny...many people referred to Wallis as being rather dowdy, but I disagree. I thought her style was rather sophisticated. They both exuded a simple elegance and finesse. No frills, no bells or whistles, just simple, practical, elegance.

Thanks so much for this post. You know me--write about style, and you got me. That's why I love your blog. It's the place to go for timeless cool and authentic style.

Ciao!