Elvis not only enjoyed wearing suede but he also sang about it in his 1956 hit “Blue Suede Shoes.” Over the years, Elvis owned several blue suede coats, some custom-made and others store-bought. Offered is an example of the latter which was owned by Elvis and later gifted to Sonny West. The jacket has a Startown brand tag, a subsidiary of The Londontown Mfg. Co., in the collar. The second collar tag indicates size 38 and the third collar tag is the care tag. A second care tag is located in the interior left side. The jacket has a five-snap front closure and two breast pockets with top flaps. The cuffs have a false snap closure and the interior is lined with a bandana-pattern red silky fabric.
The jacket was sold by Sonny to Mike Moon, and a letter from 'Mike L. Moon Investments, Inc." which reads "LETTER OF AUTHENTICITY This jacket was purchased from Sonny West by my father, Mike Moon on October 23, 1981. Elvis wore the jacket in the mid 1960s and gave it to Sonny in the fall of 1968. This jacket was on display at the Elvis Museum in Pigeon Forge, TN for nearly 40 years before it was sold to Elvis collector, Chris Davidson." Included is a modern print of a photo of the jacket on display at the museum.
Also included is a letter from “EP Archives” of Las Vegas that states, “This light blue suede jacket was purchased and worn by Elvis Presley in the mid 60s before giving it to Sonny West in the fall of 1968. The jacket is made by Startown and is light blue in color with white stitching at the collar, pockets and wrists. The blue suede jacket was part of the Mike Moon collection which was featured in one of three Elvis Presley Museums that operated from 1981-2016. The primary location was operated in Pigeon Forge, TN. I purchased the majority of the collection in the summer of 2018. These Elvis Presley artifacts were on display at one of the Elvis Presley museums for the past 40 years.” From his hit song “Blue Suede Shoes” to his blue suede jacket, Elvis was always the pinnacle of style. This blue suede jacket, measuring 27 inches in length and 17 inches from shoulder seam to shoulder seam. The jacket exhibits signs of heavy use and wear, with the blue faded evenly and surface soiling to the arms, cuffs and bottom; the lower right front panel has a blemish, along with the top left pocket seam. The jacket is in overall Excellent condition.