The Canadian Tuxedo is a classic, popular with artists like the late Gord Downie and people all across the Nation. But did you know it has a somewhat American up bringing? Lets look into it.
Turning the clocks back to 1951, American singer and songwriter Bing Crosby was a frequent visitor of Vancouver, so much so he ever received a key to the city from acting mayor George Miller in 1948.
Despite being at the height of his career, not everyone in Vancouver recognized him, including the staff at the Hotel Vancouver, where he was staying. Crosby was indeed wearing denim jeans and a denim jacket, which wasn’t considered “high class” enough to enter the hotel at the time, so staff denied Crosby entry as he tried to check in. That is until a Bellhop recognized him and the situation was quickly remedied!
When the Denim Brand Levi’s heard about the mishap, they presented him with a Denim jacket, styled like a tuxedo and complete with a leather tab on the inside that read “Notice to All Hotel Men” as a jab at the incident. Levi Co dubbed it “The Canadian Tuxedo.
It’s not the first style to become popular by accident either! Love them or hate them, socks and sandals was another trend created completely by accident!
Do you have a Canadian Tuxedo in you wardrobe?
