This original 1950s Nudie’s Rodeo Tailor handmade suit was custom for Carl Smith. The wool gabardine suit is in amazing vintage condition. This matching shirt and pant set is covered in gold ornamentation and dripping with fringe and rhinestones. Carl Smith

This stage worn true vintage Nudie Suit was custom made for classic country music icon Carl Smith. The gold and cream wool gabardine outfit has matching pants and shirt with incredible shiny silver leather fringe dripping with rhinestones (back of the silver fringe is light brown leather color). It is adorned with gold ornamental appliqués of bucking broncos, longhorn steer, saguaro cactus, fences, horseshoes and wagon wheels stylized for the Golden Age of the Grand Ole Opry. Each appliqué is adorned with prong set rhinestones including extra rhinestones on the collars surrounding the horseshoes, gold color fabric is distressed looking. The fringe on the shirt and all the rhinestones makes for a very “sparkling in the spotlight” attraction. The suit weighs 7 pounds.

Carl Smith was a Hot Country Billboard Chart topping star, Grand Ole Opry member and Country Music Hall-of-Famer from Maynardville, TN - also home to Roy Acuff. He was married to June Carter (pre Johnny Cash) and is the father of musician Carlene Carter. He was one of the genre's most successful male artists during the 1950s, scoring 30 top-10 Billboard hits. He was a handsome man who dressed in beautiful custom made western suits and sometimes bling like this custom made Nudie Suit. They are called Nudie suits after the tailor and man that handmade them, Nudie Cohen, in his Hollywood, California atelier. Items like these are few and far between, in this excellent of condition. This is an amazing example of Tennessee history, a museum piece that is still wearable over 70 years later. Stylistic and visual attributes help us date this piece to the 1950s.

SHIRT

This is a pullover shirt with a side zipper (that has been replaced) that unzips down & open to the right armpit, to pull over head and once on zips back to close for tucking into the pants. Nudie tag features iconic cowgirl on fence with a vest on. The custom tag sewn inside the bottom of the shirt is faded but can make out the name Carl Smith, not easily photographed but can be seen in person See also tag in pants Neck has lacing - singing cowboys style, with a silver lace strung through.

Shoulder to shoulder: 19"

Chest (pit-to-pit): 40"

Shoulder to Hem: 29"

Sleeve length (shoulder to sleeve hem): 24"

PANTS

Front zipper is original and works perfectly, there are 2 enamel snaps on waist closure tab

Front features 2 smile pockets with hand sewn arrows and gold appliqué and rhinestones on each western keystone belt loop.

There is little watch pocket under the waistband

Back has 2 pockets, 1 with an enamel snap flap closure

Nudie Tag features the topless cowgirl. The custom tag sewn inside the pants is more easily readable - name Carl Smith, along with 31-33 which indicates the original size of the pants.

Waist: 31"

Hip: 39"

Inseam: 33"

Waist to Hem: 44.5"

Pants hem can be let out 2”

Pants waist can be let out maybe 1"

From the Pioneer House Western Collection in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Please ask any questions about color, cut, fabric etc. before you purchase. All vintage items are sold as is, no refunds or exchanges. 

No international orders at this time.