John Travolta’s suit from 1977 movie Saturday Night Fever sells for over £200k at auction
John Travolta’s iconic white three-piece suit from 1977 film Saturday Night Fever sells for over £200,000
John Travolta’s iconic white suit worn in the hit movie Saturday Night Fever has sold for a whopping £209,000 ($260,000).
The actor, 69, famously wore the three-piece suit with flared trousers when he hit the dance floor in the classic 1977 film.
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 wasn’t wearing the suit when he broke out in his now-legendary solo dance to “Night Fever” in the same movie.
However, he wore it for most of the promotional graphics for the film, including posters and the cover of the video and soundtrack LP.
‘It’s one of only two known to have been used during production’: John Travolta’s iconic white suit worn in hit movie Saturday Night Fever sold for a whopping £209,000 on Sunday
The actor, 69, famously donned the three-piece suit with flared trousers as he hit the dance floor in classic 1977 film character Tony Manero
Both the suit and its dance moves have been imitated by millions around the world over the past 46 years, from fancy dress parties to themed nights in nightclubs.
The suit that has now sold was one of three purchased by the film’s costume director from the leading male menswear store in Brooklyn, New York.
Two of them were worn on set by Travolta and both had the store tag embroidered on the inside of the jacket so it wouldn’t be seen on screen.
The third suit was used for promotional photography.
The suit was given as a birthday present to good friend Brian Wasserman in 1981 by Don Williams, then president of Paramount Pictures.
Mr Wasserman sold it to US Attorney Brad Teplitsky last year and arranged a visit to Travolta, who confirmed it was the same one he wore 45 years earlier.
It was sold by Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles. It had been given a presale estimate of £150,000, but ended up selling for much more than that amount.
A spokesperson for Julien’s said: ‘This suit is considered one of the most iconic costumes in film history.
Iconic: John didn’t wear the suit when he broke out in his now-legendary solo dance to “Night Fever,” but he did wear it for most of the promotional images for the film
Amazing: It was sold by Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles. It had been given a presale estimate of £150,000 but ended up selling for much more than that amount
It is one of only two known to have been used during production. It has never been exhibited or sold at auction before.
“It has become a symbol not only for the movie, but for the entire disco era.”
The single-breasted jacket, waistcoat and trousers are made of 100 percent polyester. In keeping with the fashion of the time, the jacket has exaggerated lapels and flared trousers.
In the film, when Tony takes a ride on the subway, he flips up the lapel and collar.