Vintage Find: Nathan Turk Embroidered Shirt

By Valerie Lawrence

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Nathan Turk known as the “cowboy tailor” created custom western couture for Tom Mix, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, the Maddox Brothers, Patsy Cline, Elvis and many other country-western entertainers from the 1930s through the 70s. Like Bolin, his shop was near Hollywood and his flamboyant outfits were as loud as the customers who wore them. Turk exaggerated the cut and colors of western wear and made the western gabardine suit famous.

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When Nathan Turk retired in 1978, he sold his business to Manuel, a famous western brand. Manuel is rumored to have paid Turk with a blank check, which he never cashed.

This vintage find to die for comes with a provenance—or at least with a good story to tell.  It is believed this 1935 shirt may have been worn by one of the Maddox Brothers in the book “100 Years of Western Wear.”

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It is in excellent condition with embroidered white roses and green stems creating an organic pattern across the front and back and down the sleeves of this shocking red gabardine shirt.  The classic ‘smile pockets,’ shoulders and collar are lined with cream piping. Vintage snap buttons complete the look. Find it at Cayuse Western Americana.

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