![Book covers bound in two of the more popular suit colours](https://artlogic-res.cloudinary.com/w_1050,c_limit,f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto/ws-contemporaryandcountry/usr/images/blog_entries/main_image/items/f1/f1eecb16b6334bf8ad0a502384cbf9f1/dockside-danies-book-main-700.jpg)
One of the original 'Dandy' Fishermen, Ian Lace ((left) - who features in the book - at its launch in conversation with author and artist Peter Wylie (right) on Mincarlo fishing boat, Quayside, Lowestoft, Saturday 8 June, 2024 © Paul Vater at Contemporary and Country
The book relates - often in their own words the accounts by former fisherman who worked out of Lowestoft and formed a sartorial movement in the early 1960s. Artist and author Peter Wylie, who is the son of a Lowestoft fisherman, has collaborated - on the new book with artist and designer Mike Abrahams.
The Dandies in question were not part of any other youth sub-culture other than that of being young fishermen, looking to distinguish themselves by what they wore. England was a dull, monochrome country, post second world war. In fishing ports like Lowestoft work was hard and life could be brutally short. As they returned home after days at sea, the men would spend their hard-earned cash on distinctive, tailored, vibrant suits, in bright colours, patterns and designs from Laurence Green tailors of Lowestoft.
The Dockside Dandies of Lowestoft. Three of the four Dandies lining up in their fantastic fashions are Steve Leach, Colin Bean and Ray Damerall. © Archant
The suits were handmade in colours ranging from lime green, vivid yellow to bright red or tartan - and because they were so distinctive the trend spread to young trawler-men at fishing ports in Hull, Grimsby and Fleetwood.
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The books have been bound in four different coloured covers, known by the fishermen as - Dutch Cheese, Pea Green, Pink Pink and Powder Blue to reflect some of the most desirable suit colours:
"intentionally recreating the selection of colour that the young fishermen made in Lawrence Green tailor's shop, located once on the High Street, as they flicked through the swatch books of coloured fabrics."
On Sunday, June 23, as part of the First Light Festival, the Dockside Dandies of Lowestoft will be discussed as Peter Wylie talks to Wayne Hemingway MBE - the prominent English designer and co-founder of Red or Dead - about the book and this moment in dockside fashion.
VIEW WORK BY PETER WYLIE