Conform — Or Else.

In the 1950s conformity was the password of men's fashions. And as long as "conformity was the order of the day, there was a uniform to go with it," according to author Richard Horn: "a three-button, single-breasted, charcoal gray flannel suit, with narrow shoulders, narrow, small-notched lapels, flaps on the pockets, and pleatless, tapering trousers. A white or pale blue cotton broadcloth shirt with a button-down collar and button cuffs, trim ties with regimental stripes and small knots, and trim black leather shoes that rose at the ankle and the toe. . . . A drip-dry beige raincoat, a Chesterfield with black velvet collar, or a single-breasted, straight-lined tweed overcoat with raglan sleeves was donned upon stepping out of corporate headquaters and onto the street. Any hat would have been narrowbrimmed and worn brim up or brim down, sometimes with...