AA-2026-9F297E
On the image
A young man stands at attention, perfectly presenting the confident style of 1970s formal wear. His silvery-gray tuxedo jacket, complete with broad black lapels and a matching bow tie, was considered peak elegance for an evening out, usually involving a school dance or a particularly fancy restaurant.
Posing in front of a modest suburban home, among the common landscaping shrubs, suggests the event was not actually happening in a ballroom but likely began with a ride in a family car. The whole ritual revolved around the transformation from everyday teen to sophisticated adult, if only for a few hours.
He stands there, awaiting his social mission, an earnest participant in the era's earnest attempts at glamour. The only thing missing is a tiny pocket calculator, just in case the evening required some complex fiscal planning.
The historian's note
This image, captured in the 1970s, depicts a young man dressed in a formal tuxedo for a social occasion. The fashion trends of the decade are evident in the style of the tuxedo jacket, particularly its gray color, black lapels, and the wide cut, alongside the individual's hairstyle. Such attire was commonly worn by high school students for events like proms, school dances, or other significant youth-oriented social gatherings.
The setting in front of a suburban house underscores the common practice of taking commemorative photographs before leaving for these events, often reflecting family pride in a child's milestone. This type of portrait documents not only period fashion but also the social rituals surrounding youth formal events in mid-20th century America.
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Young Man in 1970s Gray Tuxedo at Home. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-9F297E. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/young-man-in-1970s-gray-tuxedo-at-home.
@misc{aaAA20269F297E,
title = {Young Man in 1970s Gray Tuxedo at Home},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-9F297E},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/young-man-in-1970s-gray-tuxedo-at-home}
}TY - ART TI - Young Man in 1970s Gray Tuxedo at Home PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-9F297E UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/young-man-in-1970s-gray-tuxedo-at-home ER -
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