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Zoot Suit  Photo Number1

Stage Name

Birth Name

Zoot Suit Zoot Suit

    The Zoot Suit (Pictured on left.) was the "Hipster's" suit, usually associated with Swing Dancing and Swing / Jazz music but was also popular with the latin scene as well. The suit became very popular in the 1930/40s era among the teens, entertainers and unfortunately street thugs. The jacket was knee length with pleated pants at the waist and pant cuffs. The chain was a long watch chain for the ones who could afford it (while most used the pull chain off the toilet if they couldn't afford a custom chain.) Cab Calloway helped to make the Zoot Suit popular. In 1942 Zoot Suit production was halted due to the war effort.

    The Zoot Suit Riots happened in Los Angeles in 1943. Sailors were on leave and were in town (sick of the zooters were they,) they came looking for trouble. During this leave a few words were thrown back and forth and a fight broke out, 125 people were hurt in the skirmish.... These riots would lead to the Zoot Suit laws (outlawing Zoot suits.) More to come!

More to Come!

 
 

Birth Place

Birth Date

Spouse

Offspring

USA 1920s doesn't apply here n/a
               
               
 

Dance Types

Dancers

Music Titles

Latin Dance Many of the time Mr. Zoot Suit
Swing Dance   Zoot Suit
    Zoot Suit Riot
         
 

Night Clubs

Entertainers

Stage / Ballets

Casa Manana (L.A.) Cab Calloway Zoot Suit
Cotton Club (N.Y.) Edward James Olmos  
             
             
             
             
 

Films

Television

Publications

1941 Cherry Poppin Daddies Music Videos 9/21/1942 - Life Magazine
Cabin In The Sky Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Music Videos 6/21/1943 - Life Magazine
Stormy Weather   8/1946 - Arts & Architecture
Zoot Suit   3/1986 - Cobblestone Magazine
Zoot Suit Cat   $ 1989 - Zoot Suit Riots
        $ 1992 - Zoot Suit and other Plays
         
Note:
"El Pachuco" makes very good Zoot Suits... They can be found on the Web. If you are looking for Patterns, Try E-Bay, they have lots of em, as well as whole suits.
January 26, 2007
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