Originally Posted by
non-fixie
For some reason I love this picture. It was taken in 1954. All four men were Dutch professional riders and part of the 1954 Dutch TdF team. From left to right:
Gerrit Voorting was one of two brothers (Adri was the other one) who made a name for themselves in the fifties. He looks totally at ease in his well-fitted suit.
Jan Nolten was one of Holland's biggest climbing talents BITD. The long-legged man from Limburg could give Fausto Coppi a run for his money in the mountain stages. A fine suit, but a bit long in the tooth.
Nico van Est, Wim's brother, just got a nice new suit, but no-one has told him yet how to wear it. At least he's not wearing a pen.
Thijs Roks was another talent. He was the first Dutch entrant in the Giro d'Italia in 1952. He did so well that Coppi's team offered him a contract, but Thijs' dad would have none of it. Not only a pen but also a comb in his breast pocket.
As someone with a tailored 40s suit, and some non-tailored 60s suits- the 40s suits generally don't naturally lay as well. The style was entirely different- it was supposed to be baggy and oversized- but the 50s ushered in a much cleaner look.