I love a classic valet. When I was growing up, my father had one that was made of a medium stained wood with a tray for coins, cufflinks and collar stays, and a rack on the base for shoes. He used it every day.
After he died, I inherited it and used it… sort-of. During my twenties, I wasn’t so into suits and hadn’t much use for the valet, which I carelessly lost on one of my numerous moves in Manhattan. When I saw one much like my dad’s in a movie recently, an urge was reignited. So I took to eBay.
Even a quick web search for a suit valet told me that the world of valets is a world of ugly. It’s like bicycles: new technologies and ideas too often come at the sacrifice of aesthetics. (To this day, I’ve yet to find a new bicycle as thoroughly appealing to me as a men’s Raleigh Tourist from the 1950s or 1960s.) A vintage valet was the way to go.
I found a classic on eBay that was nearly identical to my dad’s but with a darker stain on the wood, which I actually preferred. Another feature it had that my dad’s didn’t have was a handy tray extending from the top bar for cuff links, collar stays and whatnot. This one was made in Italy and was definitely a few decades old, though the seller wasn’t sure exactly how old. It looked like it was in great shape. I clicked the “Buy Now” button and pulled the trigger.
$120 and five days later, a new old valet arrived in the excellent condition the seller had described. I assembled it within minutes and put it into service immediately. I also gave it a name.
“Mr. French” and I are getting along very well.
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2 Comments
Very nice, I need to get something like this. Yes they are ugly, but do you think there is any merit to things like the Corby Trouser Press? I suppose an alternative is a quick steam or iron if there are stubbon creases.
Mr. French is mighty handsome valet. I acquired a similar one about 5 years ago and am very attached to it (a blond toned, 1940’s model from France). Mine’s on rollers as well–which I hadn’t realized is a GREAT feature to have! Talk about an item that’s “seen its day”! Well, I don’t care what anyone says–it’s so nice to have a valet around the house. Guess I’d better come up with a name for mine….