Life, 1923-09-13 · page 18 of 36
Life — September 13, 1923 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a satirical comic sequence about a fashionable man's romantic pursuit. The narrative follows a well-dressed gentleman through various outfit changes and emotional states as he attempts to win over a woman. The satire targets **male fashion consciousness and superficiality**: the protagonist obsesses over clothing details (specific suit prices, garter styles, color combinations) while experiencing emotional turmoil about romance. Each panel shows him in different ensembles—from expensive tailored wear to casual beach attire—as if the *right outfit* will solve his romantic problems. The humor lies in depicting a man adopting traditionally feminine preoccupations with fashion and appearance. The text emphasizes specific garment costs and designers, mocking both consumerism and the notion that dressing well equals romantic success. By panel 15, he's reduced to carrying candy and an umbrella—superficial romantic gestures to match his superficial wardrobe focus. The reference to "*savoir faire*" (worldly sophistication) underscores the irony: despite his fashionable appearance, he lacks genuine romantic competence.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ON PAGE 84 THE “WE MAN” ROSE LANGUIDLY IN HIS ARTLY CUT TWILL; $45; IN BISTRE, OR COPENHAGEN BLU HOW DIFFERENT, } THOUGHT (IN THE GRAY GLOV: TIE ‘D BOUTON- APPROPRIATE TO MORE FASHIONABLE FUNERAL), FROM THE WOMEN HE WAS USED TO. SWEETLY DIF T. HE WOULD NO LONGE! CARE WHAT HE WORE. HE PUT ON A PURPLE AND GREEN SHIRT, TAN SOCKS AND BLACK SHOES, SUSPENDERS AND A BELT. PAJAMAS OF TAUPE SOMETHING V EVEN THE CLEVER GARTERS IN CHINOISERIE, WHICH APPEAL TO THE DISCRIMINATING, FAILED TO. INTEREST HIM. THE MATTER. SUDDENLY HE FELT HE MUST GET AWAY FROM IT ALL, IN THIS INTERESTING TWEED SUIT, SUGGESTING THE BAGGY SILHOUETTE, WHICH WILL BE SEEN ON OUR BETTER-DRESSED LOVERS OF THE OPEN. ACRIFICE WAS TOO GREAT. ‘SLIPPED ON A PAIR OF LEEVE GARTER THE MEN OF HER SET PROBABLY WORE THEM. EV CLAD IN A NATTY DOUBLE-BREAST BUSINESS SUIT, WHICH IS_ BEIN WORN WITH FOUR BUTTONS TH YEAR, HE ALMOST WISHED HE HA SOME BUSINESS TO WEAR IT TO. THE THOUGHT OF HER FILLED HIM WITH THE HONEST DEs!KkE TO DO A MAN’S WORK. HE PACED THE BEACH IN THE GAY LITT: JIT THAT IS BEING WORN THIS SUMMER BY THE MAN WITH savoir fair 15 TH PUTTING ON A BLACK VELOUR HAT AND : A FIVE-POUND BOX OF CANDY AND AN UM- BRELLA, HE SET OUT TO WIN HER. A Romance of comicbooks.com