West, a graduate of the Tyler School of Art, has been combing cedar closets and thrift shops from Haverford to Haddonfield for more than 15 years. He says that the Philadelphia Style sported by Main Line society circa 1930-60 continues to define Philadelphia Style at the millennium. Philadelphians like subtle fashion, not obvious fashion. Some might call Philadelphia classicism a fear of fashion. De John worked on Seventh Avenue for 40 years, designing couture for Bergdorf Goodman and sportswear for Jones New York.
Classicism bespeaks confidence.
Philadelphians don't need the showiness of New Yorkers. If Philadelphia men want less structure in their clothes, its women crave more. Our local flock has more variety in its plumage. Philadelphians know how to wear things other than black. There, garments made from richly patterned African mudcloth are perennials.