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The difference between a mafia and a legitimate protection business is that if you refuse the protection, the mafia will break your "Window" to prove that you need the protection.
Ummmm the answer is everyone was back then. Everyone wore suits as that was the only thing avaliable at the time. The rise of jeans, sweats, etc was decades away.
They dressed so well because they got into the life because they were poor-and now they had money-and dressed stylishly they then faced the consequences of HOW they got the money
Actually it’s just an Italian thing. My nonno is 91 years old and wears suits every day. He doesn’t even own a pair of jeans. He was also the one who told me that I have to iron my clothes everytime before I wear them and how a shirt should fit. The reason for this is simple: you always have to be ready. You never know what happens and which opportunities you get when you go outside. Maybe you meet the love of your life or someone offers you a great job. That doesn’t mean you have to wear three-piece suits all the time. Just take care of your appearance when you leave the house. It shows that you respect yourself and the people around you.
You're not wrong at all. But my grandpa (who was not Italian by any means) was a farmer and when he wasn't working he always wore a suit a lot of it was the style I think but you're also right you should take pride in the things you work for and if your going to an appointment or whatever you should always try to look good
Russia is run by the mob - it is not very fun there. In my country also in the 90s the mob was very powerful and those were dangerous and bad times - a lot of bomb explosions, burnt down houses etc. You cannot run a business without pay for the "roof" as we say in our language
@@Detman101 Not really. If someone really wants to do damage, they will find a way to get a weapon. Might as well arm yourself. + we live in the best and most spoiled time ever
Mafia films is actually the real reason why I got obsessed with suits whether its Sicilian, New York, Yakuza which Japan's version of mafia or even Korean mafia films and the reason why I changed my dressing/fashion style completely...Lucifer (TV series) and Peaky Blinders are also part of that but they're not mafia but still those two TV series made me love suits more
Even just the casual and work wear of the 1890s-1940s is really awesome. Most everyone had a collared shirt, tool and die makers had on a work shirt but still had a tie tucked into their bib overalls, etc.
The reason I started dressing more formally is because I wanted to imitate a family member I admired. The day I went to his funeral is the day I learned how to tie a tie. It made me feel important, and well dressed.
@@logancampos2436 I think it's because most of us don't really drive (or at least walk more than in, say, LA) so we have more incentive to look good. When I lived in LA, most people drived everywhere so it didn't really matter if they went in they pjs
And 85% of those guys were posers. Probably more. Real mob guys were more like Pacino in Donnie Brasco. Cheap sweatsuits, cheap gold jewelry, blue jeans. Always broke and scamming for the next buck.
I grew up in Chicago and knew little of the Mafia other than historically and merely from local legend of "The Untouchables" and Elliot Ness. During 4 years of my naval career I was presented with the Mafia in it's raw magnitude while stationed in Naples, IT. I made friends with a north side marina bar owned by a group of young men who lived the life. Nice cars, impeccable dress, wads of cash. How did they do it? Truckloads of suits from Milan just happen to show up! "Hey, ya need a suit?" Huge black-market trading culture.
Thats what happens when no one trusts the government. The only time I was every afraid I might have to fight for my life was on the train between Naples and Pompeii, a couple of nicely dressed young men got on and started going through the pockets of anyone who had fallen asleep. One saw my camera, pegged me for a tourist and sat down across the aisle from me. The only thing I could think of was taking my hat off and shoving it in his face if I needed to defend myself. Thankfully the other guy saw me getting nervous and told him I wasn't worth the trouble.
When my grandparents arrived from Italy they knew they were second class citizens. So they did everything they could to present the image of exceptional citizens. My grandfather put on a coat and tie and fancy hat and drove to his job as a machinist. He changed into his work coveralls. After his shift he would shower, put back on his suit and come home. Everyone in the neighborhood thought he was a doctor or an attorney. He never left the house unless he was looking sharp. He would always say "bring honor on the family name"
@@acornsucks2111 True. You have to prove yourself to be a worthwhile citizen. Through hard work and good decisions. That works almost everywhere and forever. Nobody owes you anything.
You actually described the origins of the Mafia quite well. It's worth saying that in Sicily, the landlords were quite well off and dressed well and the mafiosos would do the same when they could afford it. Why? It was a way to show that "they've made it".
@@zaco-km3su that’s false mafia origin first traces from way back, even those old groups are the ancestors of the mafia, the modern form of the mafia was formed in the 1800.
@@zaco-km3su yes it does, the mafia have a lot of ancestor, the hierarchy of the mafia is inherited by the “police” of the 15th century ( ain’t really police, more the local army forces that are protecting the city and making people respect the law ), some mercenary armies would then take that hierarchy, the aspect of tradition and brotherhood culture are really old in southern Italy, the mafia started as we know today was formed around 1812, the end of the feudal would hurt a lot the economy, people would started making group to protect themself using the hierarchy that I was Talking earlier you adding with the brotherhoods that were already existing ( those brotherhood were considered as secterian movement they weren’t doing any crime ). Those armed groups would then started to practice extorsion ect… The mafia did started in the 19 century but it didn’t appeared out of the blue like that, the mafia had ancestor’s.
I live in Las Vegas and needless to say, The Mob figured significantly in this city’s history. There’s great story about Bugsy Siegel. Bugsy was skimming money during the construction of the Flamingo. Del Webb, the architect, was getting nervous. Webb was a civilian, not a mobster. Bugsy reassured him saying don’t worry, “we only kill each other.” Shortly thereafter Bugsy got a bullet through his eyeball while sitting in the living room of his moll’s house in Beverly Hills.
I live in the Las Vegas Country Club, bro. Where the Feds had to land that plane when they were trying to eyeball Sam Rothstein lol. I love this city so much because of the history.
Not he was skimming but his girlfriend, Virginia Hill. His murder is also a mystery. The most famous theory is that The Syndicate sent the assassin, but there are also theories that he was sent either by a husband of one of his mistresses, or by Chicago Outfit (he and Mickey Cohen were fighting with Italian Mafia)
When it comes to classic style they definitely set a benchmark. They were very clean cut and formally-dressed, however, wouldn't you say that many people in general were well-dressed during these times?
It has a lot to do with Italian culture. I’ve traveled all over the world for work and school. I love Rome because every Roman looks, head to toe, like they stepped out of a fashion magazine. They are some of the best dressed people in the world and definitely in the Western world. Also, getting mens clothes off the rack and having them tailored to look bespoke is easy, inexpensive and fast in Rome and other parts of Italy also. Hard to imagine unless you’ve been there.
Have you shopped at fabric stores in Rome? They are very expensive, and I would not call the clothes inexpensive. It is less expensive to have off the rack suits tailored in Los Angeles, and the tailors tend to be Russian.
Captain, this is great. You are giving the history of my family. My grandparents came over from Sicily in the early 1900s. My mom was born in 1920 and my uncle in 1916. My second to oldest cousin on his mother's side was connected and actually was able to get the rat pack to pose for a flyer for his business.
One thing, though. Luciano wasn't always this dapper. He was always just a thug. He ran his own gang as a teenager and later, in his early 20s, was an associate of Arnold Rothstein. It was Rothstein who saw potential in him and taught him to dress like a businessman, which is how Rothstein conducted himself. Rothstein took him shopping and got him his first suits and groomed him.
Antonio, this is my fav vid of yours to date. I'm an Italian mafia connoisseur especially with their wardrobe and all things historic about the Italian/American mob. Great job and love the history you included.
I also find it interesting how bad guys always dress wonderfully, even in real life. Edit: I also think the Great Gatsby character Meyer Wolfsheim was inspired by Arnold Rothstein. They literally talked about how he was a gambler, recognized opportunities, and fixed the 1919 world series. In addition, I've heard also the idea that Gotti met his death in the way he did because he created a target out of himself by refusing to fly under the radar. It was tempting to live like that, but when you create a notorious character out of yourself, unfortunately you are an even bigger target than most mafiosi. I know he was dealing drugs which is against mafia rule, and that was the main reason, but I'm sure that also dressing so ostentatiously only drew more attention to him.
The higher up mob guys and the Irish mob guys in New York were happy that Gotti was getting all the attention. It allowed them to work discreetly with without attracting law enforcement.
Yes, that was part of their mystique wasn’t it? Being so well dressed and dapper. imagine if they wore T-shirts and jeans, they wouldn’t have quite the same appeal would they? That’s why it’s so important to dress well.
I love the fact do you have Michael Franzese in the thumbnail. Perhaps you two should do an interview soon. That would be the crossover we didn’t know we needed. And a Bastiat quote. This is on my top videos of yours and I been a fan for years. Great video Antonio
Antonio, How could you speak of the style of The Mafia and NOT being up the MOST iconic examples of the time, The Rat Pack? One needs only cast a momentary glance at Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop, Sammy Davis Jr., and of course, The Chairman of The Board, Old Blue-eyes himself, Frank Sinatra, without being in absolute AWE at the style, class, bravado, confidence, and just awesomeness of them. They were Definitely influenced by The Mafia, and then were idolized and copied by The Masses. That middle link per se is more essential in my opinion than the direct result of the mobsters themselves, as The Boys were the example of what epitomized cool, and they were ALWAYS in the public eye. As such, I believe that they had and maintained the reins of what was stylish much longer and to a greater degree than the Mobsters ever did. Simply because they were so distinctly emulated by the public, they could and did easily control what others viewed as positive, and what the example was that should be followed. That alone should warrant a video on its own I feel, if not a series. Hope my opinion helped, & keep up the great work!
I agree that alone should warrant a video on them but I have to disagree with the comment overall - IMO the mafia had way more of an influence on people bc they were on the ground floor with the people.. in social clubs in restaurants in bars - these guys influenced entire neighborhoods and basically bureaus and you just didn't have that opportunity with the ratpack or any of them individually !
Fantastic video, Antonio! It is a psychological conundrum why so many are drawn to gangster culture and mob lore. I say that as a guy currently going through the HBO Series Boardwalk Empire for about the 20th time. (Michael Stuhlbarg's Arnold Rothstein is incredibly stylish. Love the bow tie.) Well-tailored suits were de rigueur for gentlemen in the 1920s. In cinema, many of the average Joe characters from that era are depicted in rumpled garments too long in the sleeves, a flying shirt collar wrinkled at the points, trousers puddling at their shoetops, and all capped off by a poorly rendered necktie knot. Of course, the leads are dressed impeccably--a suit with an unyielding shoulder line and a perfect drape, a neatly appointed pocket square, and, once the fedora comes off, no hair out of place. The Mafia, beginning in Prohibition times, emphasized the aura that a well-made suit exuded and took custom tailoring up a notch.
When I feel like going to church I get suited up pretty good I accumulate three things 1. Antonio's advice of his past videos 2. Gotta make sure I match 3. Make sure I am well respected When I go in their alot ppl think I belong to a mob because the way I go in especially my long black suit
Wealthy powerful people like to look good and professional, always have and always will. (The tech slobs being a disgraceful exception confirming the rule) And people like to look good and professional in order to seem wealthy and powerful. Of course it helps that the styles of the day were already something we percieve as "stylish" nowadays.
Well, I´ve never condone mafia activities, but they were indeed very stylish. Since we got back to the office I came back to dress a little like them (nice looking watches and few jewelry, three piece suits, coats, combining tie patterns and colors with the suits, etc.), besides of staying in shape and wearing a nice trimmed full beard. Recently some friends in the office told me the ladies in the office made a ranking and I came out as the most attractive man in the office. That really made me laugh hard but it was nice to know they like the style.
If you watch Michael Franzese’s videos he talks about going to funerals and weddings sometimes a few times every week. Most of the time they didn’t even know who’s dead or who’s getting married, they just had to show up. He said that he had like 50 suits, and he was only a capo, imagine the underbosses or the boss.
I'm still at 1:47 of the video but sir, I gotta say it, your enthusiasm when discussing the topic really pulls me in, you got my attention, thumbs up sir, keep up the good work and keep safe and also drink water.... 👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks so much for this program. My Great Uncle worked for Mr. Capone's organization out of Chicago. They ran Booze from Chicago down to Danville Ill. In my father's den there was a large photo of my Great Uncle dressed to the nines in a fedora and a pin stripe. He was sharpe. Mr Capone took care of them. My Uncle went to jail for three years for the Booze running. When he got out Mr. Capone took care of him put $300.00 dollars in his pocket and got him a suite of clothes. People have no idea,Mr Capone and his group started the soup kitchens in Chicago during the depression. They don't tell you about that one. Thanks so much for this.
I was about to comment about Joey Merlino. He definitely had style, as well as Steve Mazzone. Dom Grande is another guy from the current Philly mob that has a flamboyant way of dressing.
Great information on the history of OC. As for the fashions, I feel those years all the way to the early 60s, was just the height of men's fashions; fedoras; spectator shoes; top coats; pocket watches; with three-piece suits, etc. When I watch the old black and white movies on Turner Classics, part of my joy comes from seeing the wardrobes used in them. I guess they could afford the best with their illicit income. And as I said, it wasn't hard to look stylish because that's what was available back then. Great stuff. Thanks!
Great video! A few more references: Boardwalk Empire - M K Williams Untouchables - Andy Garcia Peaky Blinders - Cillian Murphy The Gentleman - Charlie Hunnam Snatch - Jason Statham
That last part can also be said about the movies that we watch… they sometimes tell us something about ourselves through the characters we relate to in those stories. But the funny thing is the mafia shown in movies and in real life is not that far from each other unlike most things in cinema… I think that’s one reason why it so easy to bring those types of characters to life on the big screen and bring so much depth to them because the real thing has just as many layers to it
The film 'Robin and the 7 Hoods' touches upon this subject. The boss (Frank Sinatra) has a dress code for the men under him. There is one scene where Bing Crosby (working for Sinatra) thinks he is dressed rather well. Sinatra tells him to go change and put on some decent clothes. You would love it.
Till the sixties, the men just dressed better than a lot of men do now. However, from the 1960ies onwards with mobsters it was the "track suit chic" (with the exception John Gotti). I do agree however that "The Godfather" had some impact as mobsters were modelling themselves on what they saw on big screen.
One of the definitions of mafia is any organized group using extortion and other criminal methods so the other groups are considered mafia but I do enjoy your videos and keep up the good work
It goes back to Arnold Rothstein showing Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky etc how to dress like successful businessmen and not street hoods. They set the tone for the rest
Great vid, as always, just a little tip; it's pronunced Luciano ("Luchano") and not "Lusiano", just like everytime you find C-I and an other vocal in italian; we pronunce it "CH-" and not "SI-" Many americans, infact, think Luciano is a name related with Luisiana and, more generally, with the french name Luis; btw Luciano is a way more acient name, it cames from the latin world for light: "Lux,Lucis" and it litterally means "Bright".
Thanks Antonio, interesting! If you come to Toronto, we have an area known as the distillery district. It was the largest distillery in the world at that time and we supplied Al Capone.
Can't say the style of the mafia has been impressive since the 1960s. Since then they have either tried to hold on to those looks or given up altogether opting for sweatsuits or backyard cookout attire.
It would've been really funny to show the exception to this "rule", Boss of the Gambino Family, Carlo Gambino. That guy dressed so simple one wouldn't know was the most powerful mafia boss of his time
As someone with no sense of style yet, I've always envied old school gentleman of the 20s-40s. Wasn't isolated to Mafioso but was made famous by them due to the dramatic attention to them.
Valerio Massimo Manfredi talks about in "Tyrant,"Dionysius 1 of Syracuse (born in 430 bc) mafia type groups already existed and helped in his war against Carthage.
Even Japanese samurai put on their best attires as they rode into battle to meet their enemies.There's no other way for men of respect to die other than to die looking good !!! 😁
RMRS you should make a video on different tanker uniforms across the world. There's a lot of random history that goes with it but I would like to hear it from a stylish standpoint.
A video idea for this historic series: Moschettieri del Duce (Mussolini´s guard) , maybe together with the Carabinieri and the Corazzieri (royal/presidential guards) uniforms.
Well, I'd say they certainly are in Italy: gentleman without a helmet (at least that's how I remember them) and wearing a suit! But you're right it has to be an old Vespa, a Lambretta or a Heinkel. My personal favourite is the "Glas Goggo".
Al Capone was awesome. He was also really bad. Many wealthy businessmen wrote that they’d rather do business with Capone. That he was honest and they could rely on his word. There was an article in the trib about one of his nieces. She said that he was kind and generouse’ uncle Al’ taught her to dance. It was a fun read for me because I grew up in Washington state. To be able to read about the reality of living with and dealing with Capone
When I was a kid one of my friend's father was a "made man". He terrified me. He was also very stylish Into cars. He had a red Eldorado convertible with white leather seats. He was also quite generous, sometimes paying the hospital bills of people he barely knew but who had trouble paying. They were weird like that.
Give me a break, Fact is they wore simple new clothes like full-length overcoats and the acquired matching unsambo, giving the impression that they were businessmen. Otherwise, they would have worn overalls and camouflage.
WOW - i gotta be honest that was some of the best mafia content i have ever seen!!! 10 stars across the board fenomenale!! And all the gangsters i’ve ever been around are always dressed impeccable and being around those guys can be very impressionable to a young man - before you know it your clothing your style your swagger is starting to reflect the image of these men around you - especially if they are taking you under their wing and accepting you as one of them… really though this video is one of the best i’ve seen on youtube you hit every nail on the head💪💯💪🙌🏼🤍 - THANKYOU !!
It was a mentality, not just with gangsters but all men and women of previous generations. It stemmed from respect, self respect and respect for other people. It also signifies a certain self discipline and mental toughness. It takes effort to get up every day, no matter the weather, and put on a suit and tie and face the world in this manner, to make sure your clothes are cleaned and pressed, shoes shined and to always be well groomed. This mentality signified a seriousness about life, dealing with others and conducting business. It also signifies competence. This self discipline is what made the men in particular appear as steel wrapped in a suit. This mental toughness is lost today in our society, respect for others and self respect are things of the past. We have “pajama boys” well into their thirties who live at home and shun responsibility. This mental toughness is only found today in the military and law enforcement and they are regularly vilified for trying to maintain standards, and standards are dropping in these professions also. And you would have to look to older businessmen to see this standard today, Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger are two, well into their 90’s and in a suit and tie to address shareholders and the public. A lost art.
I agree with that thesis, but let's not lose sight of the fact that all of them drug traffickers likely reincarnated 900 times as deformed and bullied heroin junkies.
@@balabanasireti "Typical baby-boomer's taking" not from birth nor even from childhood, but programmed by mafia-linked Scorsese, Coppola, and mafia-linked tv-writers such as Stephen Cannell and his mentor Roy Huggins.
Love how you old day fanatics love to talk about “the respect of the past we lack today” when the average southern white dude struggled to respect a man of another race than him. Their respect wasn’t any better than us. I would say we beat them in it by far.
My grandfather was one of the best dressed gangsters in Chicago. He always looked like a million bucks but when you looked closely at his face you could see he was a tough individual.
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congrat you are really a good historian you got flair for the subject
The difference between a mafia and a legitimate protection business is that if you refuse the protection, the mafia will break your "Window" to prove that you need the protection.
Killers? Man they were worse than killers. They were the top killers and more than just some thugs. They are still around.
Ummmm the answer is everyone was back then. Everyone wore suits as that was the only thing avaliable at the time. The rise of jeans, sweats, etc was decades away.
They dressed so well because they got into the life because they were poor-and now they had money-and dressed stylishly they then faced the consequences of HOW they got the money
Actually it’s just an Italian thing. My nonno is 91 years old and wears suits every day. He doesn’t even own a pair of jeans. He was also the one who told me that I have to iron my clothes everytime before I wear them and how a shirt should fit. The reason for this is simple: you always have to be ready. You never know what happens and which opportunities you get when you go outside. Maybe you meet the love of your life or someone offers you a great job. That doesn’t mean you have to wear three-piece suits all the time. Just take care of your appearance when you leave the house. It shows that you respect yourself and the people around you.
TOTAL AGREE WITH YOU YOU THE BEST COMMENT I SAW
Man... that advice is so good.
In my own words, don't get killed in your pajamas.
you also hit the nail directly on the head - BRAVO great comment!!
You're not wrong at all. But my grandpa (who was not Italian by any means) was a farmer and when he wasn't working he always wore a suit a lot of it was the style I think but you're also right you should take pride in the things you work for and if your going to an appointment or whatever you should always try to look good
"If the mob ran this country instead of the politicians, we'd have half the corruption and twice the fun." - Al Capone
That sounds about right.
Though the gun violence would be through the roof...wait, it already is.
Nevermind...
Lol 😆 you got that RIGHT!
Russia is run by the mob - it is not very fun there. In my country also in the 90s the mob was very powerful and those were dangerous and bad times - a lot of bomb explosions, burnt down houses etc. You cannot run a business without pay for the "roof" as we say in our language
@@Detman101 Not really. If someone really wants to do damage, they will find a way to get a weapon. Might as well arm yourself. + we live in the best and most spoiled time ever
In india politicians and mob run in alliance
Mafia films is actually the real reason why I got obsessed with suits whether its Sicilian, New York, Yakuza which Japan's version of mafia or even Korean mafia films and the reason why I changed my dressing/fashion style completely...Lucifer (TV series) and Peaky Blinders are also part of that but they're not mafia but still those two TV series made me love suits more
Even just the casual and work wear of the 1890s-1940s is really awesome. Most everyone had a collared shirt, tool and die makers had on a work shirt but still had a tie tucked into their bib overalls, etc.
For me, it was the Blues Brothers.
You're exactly me
dont forget The Krays… (Tom Hardy version of course)…. but most villains dressed up well…take Bond villains for example…
The reason I started dressing more formally is because I wanted to imitate a family member I admired. The day I went to his funeral is the day I learned how to tie a tie. It made me feel important, and well dressed.
I grew up in NY. We could always tell the "connected " guys from the way that they dressed and how they carried themselves. Great video.
Just being from NY, we love fashion.
Even those that are from the hood.
All of them drug traffickers likely reincarnated 900 times as deformed and bullied heroin junkies.
@@logancampos2436 I think it's because most of us don't really drive (or at least walk more than in, say, LA) so we have more incentive to look good. When I lived in LA, most people drived everywhere so it didn't really matter if they went in they pjs
And 85% of those guys were posers. Probably more. Real mob guys were more like Pacino in Donnie Brasco. Cheap sweatsuits, cheap gold jewelry, blue jeans. Always broke and scamming for the next buck.
@McFarofinha
"... DROVE everywhere..."
I grew up in Chicago and knew little of the Mafia other than historically and merely from local legend of "The Untouchables" and Elliot Ness. During 4 years of my naval career I was presented with the Mafia in it's raw magnitude while stationed in Naples, IT. I made friends with a north side marina bar owned by a group of young men who lived the life. Nice cars, impeccable dress, wads of cash. How did they do it? Truckloads of suits from Milan just happen to show up! "Hey, ya need a suit?" Huge black-market trading culture.
Yeah, those suits fell off the back of a truck
Thats what happens when no one trusts the government. The only time I was every afraid I might have to fight for my life was on the train between Naples and Pompeii, a couple of nicely dressed young men got on and started going through the pockets of anyone who had fallen asleep. One saw my camera, pegged me for a tourist and sat down across the aisle from me. The only thing I could think of was taking my hat off and shoving it in his face if I needed to defend myself. Thankfully the other guy saw me getting nervous and told him I wasn't worth the trouble.
I am from Napoli and now live in America. All society has this going on, but America doesn't realize it because it's so big.
It was called The Outfit in Chicago
@@nazmul_khan_ Sopranos classic
When my grandparents arrived from Italy they knew they were second class citizens. So they did everything they could to present the image of exceptional citizens. My grandfather put on a coat and tie and fancy hat and drove to his job as a machinist. He changed into his work coveralls. After his shift he would shower, put back on his suit and come home. Everyone in the neighborhood thought he was a doctor or an attorney. He never left the house unless he was looking sharp. He would always say "bring honor on the family name"
No one that ever came to this land was welcomed with open arms.
@@acornsucks2111 True. You have to prove yourself to be a worthwhile citizen. Through hard work and good decisions. That works almost everywhere and forever. Nobody owes you anything.
Love that, that mediterranean culture of work hard and be respectable even when oppressed I really love.
“Bring honor on the family name” - taking notes. Thank you.
You actually described the origins of the Mafia quite well. It's worth saying that in Sicily, the landlords were quite well off and dressed well and the mafiosos would do the same when they could afford it. Why? It was a way to show that "they've made it".
The origin of the mafia are actually way older the first traces of the so called honored society could be found back in the 12/13 centuries.
@@Jay539-i3d
No, they're not. That's when it was formed. There are no traces of the Mafia before the 1800s.
@@zaco-km3su that’s false mafia origin first traces from way back, even those old groups are the ancestors of the mafia, the modern form of the mafia was formed in the 1800.
@@Jay539-i3d
No, it doesn't. The Mafia appeared in the 1800s. Whatever other groups might have existed have no connection with it.
@@zaco-km3su yes it does, the mafia have a lot of ancestor, the hierarchy of the mafia is inherited by the “police” of the 15th century ( ain’t really police, more the local army forces that are protecting the city and making people respect the law ), some mercenary armies would then take that hierarchy, the aspect of tradition and brotherhood culture are really old in southern Italy, the mafia started as we know today was formed around 1812, the end of the feudal would hurt a lot the economy, people would started making group to protect themself using the hierarchy that I was
Talking earlier you adding with the brotherhoods that were already existing ( those brotherhood were considered as secterian movement they weren’t doing any crime ). Those armed groups would then started to practice extorsion ect… The mafia did started in the 19 century but it didn’t appeared out of the blue like that, the mafia had ancestor’s.
I live in Las Vegas and needless to say, The Mob figured significantly in this city’s history. There’s great story about Bugsy Siegel. Bugsy was skimming money during the construction of the Flamingo. Del Webb, the architect, was getting nervous. Webb was a civilian, not a mobster. Bugsy reassured him saying don’t worry, “we only kill each other.” Shortly thereafter Bugsy got a bullet through his eyeball while sitting in the living room of his moll’s house in Beverly Hills.
the mob built the city
I live in the Las Vegas Country Club, bro. Where the Feds had to land that plane when they were trying to eyeball Sam Rothstein lol. I love this city so much because of the history.
@@vitocorleone9614 They didn't built but they changed it into what we know today
Not he was skimming but his girlfriend, Virginia Hill. His murder is also a mystery. The most famous theory is that The Syndicate sent the assassin, but there are also theories that he was sent either by a husband of one of his mistresses, or by Chicago Outfit (he and Mickey Cohen were fighting with Italian Mafia)
@@balabanasireti naw they built that's shit lmao funded it and everything
When it comes to classic style they definitely set a benchmark. They were very clean cut and formally-dressed, however, wouldn't you say that many people in general were well-dressed during these times?
Bingo. It was not exceptional to dress like that back then.
True
It has a lot to do with Italian culture. I’ve traveled all over the world for work and school. I love Rome because every Roman looks, head to toe, like they stepped out of a fashion magazine. They are some of the best dressed people in the world and definitely in the Western world. Also, getting mens clothes off the rack and having them tailored to look bespoke is easy, inexpensive and fast in Rome and other parts of Italy also. Hard to imagine unless you’ve been there.
I agree because I have been there too. Definitely the culture.
That's Rome, not Sicily!
I was in Italy about fifteen years ago. I’ve never seen more beautiful and stylish women.
@@kevin-jg5nq Even the police have very stylish outfits.
Have you shopped at fabric stores in Rome? They are very expensive, and I would not call the clothes inexpensive. It is less expensive to have off the rack suits tailored in Los Angeles, and the tailors tend to be Russian.
I always noticed in old gangster films, the second the small time hood “makes it, he goes to buy a suit!
Even Goodfellas had such a scene
@@jmarcguy but Italians have a dna for good fashion regardless
How you dress shows the level of respect you have for yourself, the occasion, and of others.
That is so true
Absolutely
I absolutely love Italian suits and tuxedos
A fact that would never be accepted here in Sweden.
Yes. If you don’t care about yourself, then most people won’t
Captain, this is great. You are giving the history of my family. My grandparents came over from Sicily in the early 1900s. My mom was born in 1920 and my uncle in 1916. My second to oldest cousin on his mother's side was connected and actually was able to get the rat pack to pose for a flyer for his business.
Thanks Mark!
Yes
One thing, though. Luciano wasn't always this dapper. He was always just a thug. He ran his own gang as a teenager and later, in his early 20s, was an associate of Arnold Rothstein. It was Rothstein who saw potential in him and taught him to dress like a businessman, which is how Rothstein conducted himself. Rothstein took him shopping and got him his first suits and groomed him.
👴🏻DID HE ALSO GET HIM A BALLOON AND A LOLLIPOP ?
I WAS THE COLDEST AND BOLDEST..PAPPONE
Antonio, this is my fav vid of yours to date. I'm an Italian mafia connoisseur especially with their wardrobe and all things historic about the Italian/American mob. Great job and love the history you included.
'Try to look like you follow at least some laws...' - Antonio Centeno. brilliant.
I also find it interesting how bad guys always dress wonderfully, even in real life.
Edit: I also think the Great Gatsby character Meyer Wolfsheim was inspired by Arnold Rothstein. They literally talked about how he was a gambler, recognized opportunities, and fixed the 1919 world series. In addition, I've heard also the idea that Gotti met his death in the way he did because he created a target out of himself by refusing to fly under the radar. It was tempting to live like that, but when you create a notorious character out of yourself, unfortunately you are an even bigger target than most mafiosi. I know he was dealing drugs which is against mafia rule, and that was the main reason, but I'm sure that also dressing so ostentatiously only drew more attention to him.
SO
The higher up mob guys and the Irish mob guys in New York were happy that Gotti was getting all the attention. It allowed them to work discreetly with without attracting law enforcement.
0:43
You missed Thomas Shelby. 🙂
I’ve always admired the style of the mafia, fantastic video
Awesome! Thanks
@@RealMenRealStyle awesome.. History and fashion in 1 video... Brilliant... And I'm Irish. 🇮🇪
@@RealMenRealStyle you should see the crime gangs here in Ireland.. We even have our own real life "dapper don".
Yes, that was part of their mystique wasn’t it? Being so well dressed and dapper. imagine if they wore T-shirts and jeans, they wouldn’t have quite the same appeal would they? That’s why it’s so important to dress well.
I love the fact do you have Michael Franzese in the thumbnail. Perhaps you two should do an interview soon. That would be the crossover we didn’t know we needed.
And a Bastiat quote. This is on my top videos of yours and I been a fan for years. Great video Antonio
Good idea! Thanks Tiger Not Woods!
That's not Michael Franzese, it's Marlon Brando in thumbnail.
@@A7xeno That's Michael Franzese alright posing like Marlon Brando from one of his Mob Movie Monday videos.
@@JamesRDavenport Oh damn, didn't realise that.
Antonio,
How could you speak of the style of The Mafia and NOT being up the MOST iconic examples of the time, The Rat Pack? One needs only cast a momentary glance at Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop, Sammy Davis Jr., and of course, The Chairman of The Board, Old Blue-eyes himself, Frank Sinatra, without being in absolute AWE at the style, class, bravado, confidence, and just awesomeness of them. They were Definitely influenced by The Mafia, and then were idolized and copied by The Masses. That middle link per se is more essential in my opinion than the direct result of the mobsters themselves, as The Boys were the example of what epitomized cool, and they were ALWAYS in the public eye. As such, I believe that they had and maintained the reins of what was stylish much longer and to a greater degree than the Mobsters ever did. Simply because they were so distinctly emulated by the public, they could and did easily control what others viewed as positive, and what the example was that should be followed. That alone should warrant a video on its own I feel, if not a series.
Hope my opinion helped, & keep up the great work!
Great point, how could I forget about the Rat Pack!!!
Thank you!
I agree that alone should warrant a video on them but I have to disagree with the comment overall - IMO the mafia had way more of an influence on people bc they were on the ground floor with the people.. in social clubs in restaurants in bars - these guys influenced entire neighborhoods and basically bureaus and you just didn't have that opportunity with the ratpack or any of them individually !
you forgot Paul Anka
T Flynnstone .Sammy Davis Jr .was not connected .just a Entertainer .. it thanks for your opinion puto
Al Capone, now known as "Scar Face", was called "Snarky" by his friends. "Snarky" means stylish and well dressed.
Snorky not Snarky
Fantastic video, Antonio! It is a psychological conundrum why so many are drawn to gangster culture and mob lore. I say that as a guy currently going through the HBO Series Boardwalk Empire for about the 20th time. (Michael Stuhlbarg's Arnold Rothstein is incredibly stylish. Love the bow tie.)
Well-tailored suits were de rigueur for gentlemen in the 1920s. In cinema, many of the average Joe characters from that era are depicted in rumpled garments too long in the sleeves, a flying shirt collar wrinkled at the points, trousers puddling at their shoetops, and all capped off by a poorly rendered necktie knot. Of course, the leads are dressed impeccably--a suit with an unyielding shoulder line and a perfect drape, a neatly appointed pocket square, and, once the fedora comes off, no hair out of place.
The Mafia, beginning in Prohibition times, emphasized the aura that a well-made suit exuded and took custom tailoring up a notch.
What do you think of the way blm supporters dress?
The music overlayed on the video was excellent and fit the mafia vibe perfectly
In the words of three wise men:
"You either got or you haven't got style."
When I feel like going to church I get suited up pretty good I accumulate three things
1. Antonio's advice of his past videos
2. Gotta make sure I match
3. Make sure I am well respected
When I go in their alot ppl think I belong to a mob because the way I go in especially my long black suit
Wealthy powerful people like to look good and professional, always have and always will. (The tech slobs being a disgraceful exception confirming the rule) And people like to look good and professional in order to seem wealthy and powerful. Of course it helps that the styles of the day were already something we percieve as "stylish" nowadays.
Well, I´ve never condone mafia activities, but they were indeed very stylish. Since we got back to the office I came back to dress a little like them (nice looking watches and few jewelry, three piece suits, coats, combining tie patterns and colors with the suits, etc.), besides of staying in shape and wearing a nice trimmed full beard. Recently some friends in the office told me the ladies in the office made a ranking and I came out as the most attractive man in the office. That really made me laugh hard but it was nice to know they like the style.
If you watch Michael Franzese’s videos he talks about going to funerals and weddings sometimes a few times every week. Most of the time they didn’t even know who’s dead or who’s getting married, they just had to show up. He said that he had like 50 suits, and he was only a capo, imagine the underbosses or the boss.
I'm still at 1:47 of the video but sir, I gotta say it, your enthusiasm when discussing the topic really pulls me in, you got my attention, thumbs up sir, keep up the good work and keep safe and also drink water.... 👍👍👍👍👍👍
I don't know how stylish Frank Lucas was in real life but none of these guys beat Denzel's style in American Gangster! Fire🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥👊🏼👊🏼
This guy makes better documentaries than anything on cable tv.
As they say, if you gonna do Dirty Business do it with Style.
Great video, the presentation was informative, entertaining, and engaging. I'm in awe.
Thanks so much for this program. My Great Uncle worked for Mr. Capone's organization out of Chicago. They ran Booze from Chicago down to Danville Ill. In my father's den there was a large photo of my Great Uncle dressed to the nines in a fedora and a pin stripe. He was sharpe. Mr Capone took care of them. My Uncle went to jail for three years for the Booze running. When he got out Mr. Capone took care of him put $300.00 dollars in his pocket and got him a suite of clothes. People have no idea,Mr Capone and his group started the soup kitchens in Chicago during the depression. They don't tell you about that one. Thanks so much for this.
Skinny Joey Merlino and "Handsome" Steve Mazzone (Philadelphia Family). Those boys killed it. Ralph Natale crushed the fashion game too.
I was about to comment about Joey Merlino. He definitely had style, as well as Steve Mazzone. Dom Grande is another guy from the current Philly mob that has a flamboyant way of dressing.
@@Dinamico760 OH yeah 😎 Dom Grande is fire!!!!
I like how you do your research but bring it back to men's fashion. Keep up the great videos.
Great information on the history of OC. As for the fashions, I feel those years all the way to the early 60s, was just the height of men's fashions; fedoras; spectator shoes; top coats; pocket watches; with three-piece suits, etc. When I watch the old black and white movies on Turner Classics, part of my joy comes from seeing the wardrobes used in them. I guess they could afford the best with their illicit income. And as I said, it wasn't hard to look stylish because that's what was available back then.
Great stuff. Thanks!
Vocabulary and cultural education combined with style; I bloody love it.😍
You got it! Thanks for watching, J!
Great video!
A few more references:
Boardwalk Empire - M K Williams
Untouchables - Andy Garcia
Peaky Blinders - Cillian Murphy
The Gentleman - Charlie Hunnam
Snatch - Jason Statham
That last part can also be said about the movies that we watch… they sometimes tell us something about ourselves through the characters we relate to in those stories. But the funny thing is the mafia shown in movies and in real life is not that far from each other unlike most things in cinema… I think that’s one reason why it so easy to bring those types of characters to life on the big screen and bring so much depth to them because the real thing has just as many layers to it
The film 'Robin and the 7 Hoods' touches upon this subject. The boss (Frank Sinatra) has a dress code for the men under him. There is one scene where Bing Crosby (working for Sinatra) thinks he is dressed rather well. Sinatra tells him to go change and put on some decent clothes. You would love it.
Very cool do more like this more details … many thanks
Till the sixties, the men just dressed better than a lot of men do now. However, from the 1960ies onwards with mobsters it was the "track suit chic" (with the exception John Gotti). I do agree however that "The Godfather" had some impact as mobsters were modelling themselves on what they saw on big screen.
I think it was until the 1970s. People still dresses Nicely in the 1960s
Early 1970s was still "wiseguy" chic- mid to late 1970s, not so much but track suits didn't come on the scene until the mid eighties.
Now mobsters are modelling themselves on those useless gangsta from the hood 🤡. It was everything better when even mobsters had a fashion sense
LOVE JOHN GOTTI MY FAVORITE GUY
One of the definitions of mafia is any organized group using extortion and other criminal methods so the other groups are considered mafia but I do enjoy your videos and keep up the good work
One of the most enjoyable and informative videos from RMRS! Great job!!
It goes back to Arnold Rothstein showing Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky etc how to dress like successful businessmen and not street hoods. They set the tone for the rest
Great vid, as always, just a little tip; it's pronunced Luciano ("Luchano") and not "Lusiano", just like everytime you find C-I and an other vocal in italian; we pronunce it "CH-" and not "SI-"
Many americans, infact, think Luciano is a name related with Luisiana and, more generally, with the french name Luis; btw Luciano is a way more acient name, it cames from the latin world for light: "Lux,Lucis" and it litterally means "Bright".
Thanks Antonio, interesting! If you come to Toronto, we have an area known as the distillery district. It was the largest distillery in the world at that time and we supplied Al Capone.
One of the most stylish gangsters was Mickey Cohen out of Los Angeles. The man owned a mens clothing store with suits only in his size.
Can't say the style of the mafia has been impressive since the 1960s. Since then they have either tried to hold on to those looks or given up altogether opting for sweatsuits or backyard cookout attire.
It would've been really funny to show the exception to this "rule", Boss of the Gambino Family, Carlo Gambino. That guy dressed so simple one wouldn't know was the most powerful mafia boss of his time
I was born in NY...to me the stylish mafioso was John Gotti! Dressed to the nine...from his expensive suits to even his casual wear...always spot on!
Cowboy vid got me hooked man your content is fire
As someone with no sense of style yet, I've always envied old school gentleman of the 20s-40s. Wasn't isolated to Mafioso but was made famous by them due to the dramatic attention to them.
The connection between style, and history on this video is Amazing!!!
Such a beautiful video would love to see more of these in the future 🙏💎
Noted! We'll have more coming.
Michael Corleone is a timeless character, iconic and the best dressed man
Antonio where did you get your leather jacket? It's amazing!!
Great episode, my man. Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney in the movies always looked great. As another commenter noted, the RAT PACK equaled cool.
Great video and commentary. One of your very best. Thank you.
Valerio Massimo Manfredi talks about in "Tyrant,"Dionysius 1 of Syracuse (born in 430 bc) mafia type groups already existed and helped in his war against Carthage.
Me living in Mexico, only wearing shorts and flip flops: Oh yeah, that would look nice on me in this 90F heat lol
A 1940’s Spear point Collared Shirt runs at least 90 bucks now, Definitely my favorite dress shirt.
Are those the ones they all wear I'm the movies
Antonio, I remember the mafia were depicted as very stylish, even in the episode of Star Trek TOS " A piece of Action"
The storyteller got me hooked! He is interactive and keeps me hooked to thye end! 100%%%%%%%
Honestly, I can't think of many people from that era that didn't have a great style of dress. There is nothing like a man in a suite🤔🤔😍😍😍
Excellent content
Excellent narration
Excellent presentation
You talk about the Mafia in NY. Actually the Mafia in America started in New Orleans and moved to NY later.
i loved all the fashion eye candy in mike manns PUBLIC ENEMY
You forgot to mention or talk about Paul Kelly from the 5 Points Gang in New York. Another guy who was also all about dressing was Micky Cohen
Even Japanese samurai put on their best attires as they rode into battle to meet their enemies.There's no other way for men of respect to die other than to die looking good !!! 😁
This is such a great video. I watched an rmrs video after a long time and the style of making video has completely changed.
This is really good.
You're absolutely right... good evening how are you doing over there, it's a lovely day that the lord has made
Today I 've watched your videos about western boots, cowboy style, and stylish mafia guys, all great videos my friend, congratulations..
LOVE these historical style videos! 👍
Great video Antonio! I knew the history in the US, but not the history in Italy. Great information.
Great jacket Antonio. Where did you get it. Please let me know. Love it. It is way on point.
RMRS you should make a video on different tanker uniforms across the world. There's a lot of random history that goes with it but I would like to hear it from a stylish standpoint.
A large part of their style comes from the quality of the material - European cloth, especially Italian fabrics.
A video idea for this historic series: Moschettieri del Duce (Mussolini´s guard) , maybe together with the Carabinieri and the Corazzieri (royal/presidential guards) uniforms.
Good idea!
Antonio, a question. Are men riding Vespa (older ones) cool? I just saw Alfie (2004) and was interested in buying one.
Well, I'd say they certainly are in Italy: gentleman without a helmet (at least that's how I remember them) and wearing a suit! But you're right it has to be an old Vespa, a Lambretta or a Heinkel. My personal favourite is the "Glas Goggo".
@@iansoutryer3189 thnx
Thank you ...you are very good with delivering historical information
Your videos are so interesting and informative! Thanks Antonio!
This was a really interesting and educational video
Thank you
that thumbnail is stone cold, i love it
Genovese family member here ♥︎ it is a show of power nice video
Very intriguing presentation.
My great/great-grandmother came to NY from Ireland in 1893 and her writings describe the violence of the gang wars.
Al Capone was awesome. He was also really bad. Many wealthy businessmen wrote that they’d rather do business with Capone. That he was honest and they could rely on his word. There was an article in the trib about one of his nieces. She said that he was kind and generouse’ uncle Al’ taught her to dance. It was a fun read for me because I grew up in Washington state. To be able to read about the reality of living with and dealing with Capone
When I was a kid one of my friend's father was a "made man". He terrified me. He was also very stylish Into cars. He had a red Eldorado convertible with white leather seats. He was also quite generous, sometimes paying the hospital bills of people he barely knew but who had trouble paying. They were weird like that.
We've had some very stylish mobsters. They set the tone for business men and anyone who was successful or wanted to be thought so.
Give me a break, Fact is they wore simple new clothes like full-length overcoats and the acquired matching unsambo, giving the impression that they were businessmen. Otherwise, they would have worn overalls and camouflage.
WOW - i gotta be honest that was some of the best mafia content i have ever seen!!! 10 stars across the board fenomenale!! And all the gangsters i’ve ever been around are always dressed impeccable and being around those guys can be very impressionable to a young man - before you know it your clothing your style your swagger is starting to reflect the image of these men around you - especially if they are taking you under their wing and accepting you as one of them… really though this video is one of the best i’ve seen on youtube you hit every nail on the head💪💯💪🙌🏼🤍 - THANKYOU !!
It was a mentality, not just with gangsters but all men and women of previous generations. It stemmed from respect, self respect and respect for other people. It also signifies a certain self discipline and mental toughness. It takes effort to get up every day, no matter the weather, and put on a suit and tie and face the world in this manner, to make sure your clothes are cleaned and pressed, shoes shined and to always be well groomed. This mentality signified a seriousness about life, dealing with others and conducting business. It also signifies competence. This self discipline is what made the men in particular appear as steel wrapped in a suit. This mental toughness is lost today in our society, respect for others and self respect are things of the past. We have “pajama boys” well into their thirties who live at home and shun responsibility. This mental toughness is only found today in the military and law enforcement and they are regularly vilified for trying to maintain standards, and standards are dropping in these professions also. And you would have to look to older businessmen to see this standard today, Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger are two, well into their 90’s and in a suit and tie to address shareholders and the public. A lost art.
I agree with that thesis, but let's not lose sight of the fact that all of them drug traffickers likely reincarnated 900 times as deformed and bullied heroin junkies.
Typical boomer take
@@balabanasireti "Typical baby-boomer's taking" not from birth nor even from childhood, but programmed by mafia-linked Scorsese, Coppola, and mafia-linked tv-writers such as Stephen Cannell and his mentor Roy Huggins.
@@balabanasireti true.
Love how you old day fanatics love to talk about “the respect of the past we lack today” when the average southern white dude struggled to respect a man of another race than him. Their respect wasn’t any better than us. I would say we beat them in it by far.
I think the trend is that these Gangster came from New York/ Chicago, cities that are known for Fashion.
One of the main components of being a gangsta is being a gentleman and knowing when and how much of each is needed.
Being a "gangsta" is not a good thing, especially when you can't swallow your own pride.
Devil Dog, I would love for you to do a fashion history on Popular Music-Rock, Metal, Jazz, Hip Hop, Disco, Classic R&B and so on.
My grandfather was one of the best dressed gangsters in Chicago. He always looked like a million bucks but when you looked closely at his face you could see he was a tough individual.
Thank you very much for this video Sir. I always enjoy all of them!
They made us an offer we couldn’t refuse.