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Clothing and Accessories
Men's Clothing ➔ Suit
Identifier:
1998.1.48Description:
This gray suit is made of checked wool and consists of two pieces that include a sack coat and trousers. The sack coat has three buttons down the center front and has padded shoulders. It has notched lapels and a flap pocket on either side of the waist. There is a welt pocket on the proper left breast and three buttons on each sleeve cuff. This coat has a center vent and a gray synthetic lining. There is an interior maker label that reads "Michaels, Stern, Rochester, May's Grand Rapids". There is also a label with care instructions. The matching trousers have belt loops around the waist and a zipper fly. They also have a label listing care instructions.Date:
circa 1960Materials:
Wool, Synthetic MaterialDimensions:
32" h 21 | 2" wCurrent Location Status:
On ExhibitCollection Tier:
Tier 2Exhibit/Program:
Fashion + Nature (April 2022)Fashion + Nature examines the relationships between the natural world and the fashion industry. Clothing has long been produced with natural materials and inspired by the beauty and diversity of the natural world, but the fashion industry has had a largely negative impact on the environment. This exhibit showcases a wide variety of captivating scientific specimens and fascinating garments, to illustrate their relationship to each other and their interconnected histories. Fashion + Nature aims to inspire and educate visitors, encouraging us to become better consumers and reduce the harmful impacts of the fashion industry.
Related Entities:
Michaels Stern (creator) A. May and Sons (sold by)Alternate names: May's, Mays Of Michigan, The Giant
A. May & Son’s, also known as May’s of Michigan, was a men’s wear store based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The store was founded as the Giant Clothing Store by German merchant Abraham May in 1883 at Monroe and Lyon Streets, Grand Rapids and was nicknamed “the Giant”. After two years at the University of Michigan, Abraham's son Meyer May and other children in the family joined their father's business and the name of the store was changed to A. May & Son’s. It was the first store in the nation to display clothing on Batts hangers, an important first in the merchandizing of clothing. Meyer May became president of the company after his father's death in 1906. Meyer May and his wife Sophie Amberg were also known for their private residence designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Today the house is operating as a museum by Steelcase Inc. A. May & Son’s remained in the family until 1967, when it was purchased by Botany Industries. Norman Talmo, a former Botany executive purchased the store in 1972. The downtown store closed in 1986 and the building was demolished for parking in 1988.
Source: Michael Hauser and Marianne Weldon. Images of America, 20th Century Retailing in Downtown Grand Rapids. Arcadia Publishing: Charleston, 2014.
