Bingcosby

Bing crosby tuxedo

In 1951, the world famous American crooner Bing Crosby was denied entrance into a Canadian hotel because he and his friend were dressed completely in denim. Although the Hotel management eventually recognized Bing and made an exception because of who he was, the story of the incident traveled fast. Friends of his back home contacted Levi Strauss and Co. and the designers immediately developed a custom denim tuxedo jacket for Bing so that he would never have problems wearing Levi’s® Jeans, even in fancy establishments.It was made of the sturdy denim used for 501® Jeans, and decorated with a lovely corsage of Red Tabs, held onto the lapel with a cluster of shiny copper rivets.Inside the jacket was a huge leather patch printed with a “Notice to All Hotel Men” stating that denim is a

perfectly appropriate fabric and anyone wearing it should be allowed entrance into the finest hotels.LS&Co; presented the jacket to Bing at the 1951 Silver State Stampede in Elko, Nevada where he was honorary mayor. He was so tickled with the tux that he wore it to many press appearances for his next film, “Here Comes the Groom.” For Spring Summer 2014, Levi’s® Vintage Clothing is reproducing this famous piece of Levi’s® history and making a limited run of 200 jackets. All of the details are true to the original.

  • 1951 BING CROSBY TUXEDO

    1940′S 501© JEAN DENIM
    JEAN SHANKS

  • 1951 BING CROSBY TUXEDO JACKET

    100% COTTON DOUBLE-BREASTED DENIM TUXEDO
    THREE WELT POCKETS, TWO AT HIPS
    INSIDE SHOULDERS ARE LINED WITH SATIN

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