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1969 Robert D. Gwynn Bespoke Blazer | Monogrammed Buttons | Heritage Country Club Polo StyleMeasurements in listing and photos.
An exceptional surviving example of late-1960s American bespoke tailoring, this 1969 blazer was made by master bespoke tailor Robert D. “Bob” Gwynn for William R. Reid.
Created as a personal commission rather than a mass-produced garment, the blazer carries the unmistakable character of traditional bespoke menswear: individual tailoring, refined proportions and distinctive monogrammed buttons that reinforce its made-for-one-client origins.
Its overall aesthetic is pure heritage country-club, polo and equestrian style — polished, sporting and quietly luxurious, with the assured elegance associated with private-club dressing and classic American menswear of the period.
THE TAILOR
Robert D. Gwynn was an American-born and American-trained bespoke tailor whose career became closely associated with Birmingham, Michigan and its affluent clientele.
Gwynn is also historically associated with John Z. DeLorean and his wardrobe, adding another compelling connection to the Detroit-area world of bespoke executive tailoring.
That association refers to Gwynn\'s clientele and tailoring history; this particular blazer was made specifically for William R. Reid.
THE COMMISSION
Dating to 1969, the blazer was made for William R. Reid and retains one of its most distinctive bespoke details: custom monogrammed buttons.
These personalized buttons are especially appealing because they provide visible evidence of the garment\'s individual commission and distinguish it from standard ready-to-wear tailoring.
The blazer was originally priced at $220 in 1969, a very substantial amount for the era and indicative of the level of craftsmanship and exclusivity vintage, circa 1969
Bespoke by Robert D. “Bob” Gwynn
Made specifically for William R. Reid
Custom monogrammed buttons
Birmingham, Michigan tailoring heritage
Individually commissioned construction
Original period price: $220
Smooth, luxurious silk-like lining; exact fiber content unconfirmed
Classic country-club / polo / equestrian aesthetic
American heritage menswear
Rare surviving example of late-1960s custom tailoring
The interior lining has a refined, silk-like hand and does not feel like typical acetate, although the exact fiber content is unknown and is therefore not being represented as silk without documentation.
More than simply a vintage blazer, this is a named bespoke commission with identifiable provenance, personalized hardware and a connection to a respected American tailoring tradition.
It would be especially compelling for a collector of bespoke menswear, Detroit-area history, traditional American tailoring, old-money style, equestrian or polo-inspired clothing, or exceptional vintage garments with provenance.
A rare piece of understated American luxury from an era when clothing of this caliber was made for an individual, not a market.
