The Duke had a very large wardrobe and from looking through Sotheby’s books for when it auctioned some of his personal effects, one gets the feeling that he was never careless in deciding what to wear and that he knew his accessories well.
Pocketsquares embroidered with different royal cyphers.
A selection of hats, including some made by Lock & Co. and Cavanagh. From a footnote – On bowlers, the Duke comments in A Family Album: “I never wore a brown or grey bowler as my father, but I did in the 1920’s try and launch a dark blue one. It did not catch on.”
Handkerchiefs, a beret, and a rope belt.
Tin boxes full of cloth swatches – these were some of the more interesting objects shown in that the Duke devised the idea in order to help keep track of his extensive wardrobe that he kept in various homes around the world and to minimize the amount of luggage needed when traveling.
His walking canes – Sotheby’s notes that he received many as gifts at a young age back when they were considered an essential accessory: “My grandfather and father would not have dreamt of going out without carrying one of these elegant weapons… I used to carry one until the late nineteen twenties. Then after a visit to America, where the cane is almost unknown, I discarded it as a bit of an impediment which was not only unnecessary but inconvenient, for it was always getting lost or worse still, tripping me up.”
A selection of his footwear, including those made by Peal & Co and sneakers from Keds. From looking pictures taken of him, he seemed to enjoy wearing shoes with contrasting aprons in casual situations and had many different pairs.
A wardrobe to aspire to.
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