John Travolta’s iconic white three piece suit from 1977 movie Saturday Night Fever sells for over £200k at auction
John Travolta’s iconic white suit he wore in hit film Saturday Night Fever has sold for a massive £209,000 ($260,000).
The actor, 69, famously wore the three piece suit with flared trousers as he took to the dance floor in the classic 1977 movie.
His character, Tony Manero, teamed up with Stephanie Mangano to dance to the Bee Gees’ ‘More Than a Woman’ for a disco dance competition.
Contrary to popular belief, the actor was not wearing the suit when he broke out into his now legendary solo dance to ‘Night Fever’ in the same film.
He wore it though for most of the promotional images for the movie, including posters and the cover of the video and the soundtrack LP.
‘It is one of only two known to exist that was used during production’: John Travolta’s iconic white suit he wore in hit film Saturday Night Fever has sold on Sunday for a massive £209,000
The actor, 69, famously wore the three piece suit with flared trousers as he took to the dance floor in the classic 1977 movie playing character, Tony Manero
Both the suit and his dance moves have been replicated by millions of people around the world over the past 46 years at everything from fancy dress parties to nightclub theme nights.
The suit that has now sold was one of three bought from the men’s fashion store, Leading Male, in Brooklyn, New York, by the film’s costume director.
Two of them were worn on set by Travolta and both had the store’s label embroidered on the inside of the jacket removed so it wouldn’t be seen on screen.
The third suit was used for the promotional photography.
The suit was given as a birthday present by Don Williams, the then president of Paramount Pictures, to close friend Brian Wasserman in 1981.
Mr Wasserman sold it to American lawyer Brad Teplitsky last year and he arranged to visit Travolta who confirmed it was the same one he wore 45 years before.
It was sold by Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles. It had been given a pre-sale estimate of £150,000 but ended up selling for way over that amount.
A spokesman for Julien’s said: ‘This suit is considered to be one of the most iconic costumes in cinema history.
Iconic: John was not wearing the suit when he broke out into his now legendary solo dance to ‘Night Fever’ but he did wear it for most of the promotional images for the movie
Amazing: It was sold by Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles. It had been given a pre-sale estimate of £150,000 but ended up selling for way over that amount
‘It is one of only two known to exist that was used during production. It has never been exhibited or sold at auction before.
‘It has become emblematic of not only the film but of the whole disco era.’
The single-breasted suit jacket, waistcoat and trousers are made from 100 per cent polyester. In keeping with the fashion at the time, it has exaggerated jacket lapels and flared trousers.
In the film when Tony takes a subway ride he flips up the lapels and collar.
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