Pre-War Esquire
Founded in 1932, Esquire was the prototype of the “men’s magazine.” Despite being published during the Great Depression, the magazine flourished by appealing to a young, upwardly mobile male audience. Featuring fashion and style, intelligent journalism, and fiction, the publication depicted the “Esquire” Man as affluent, successful with women, sophisticated, and well-rounded. Reflecting the magazine’s espousal of a luxurious lifestyle, the illustrations were clean, elegant, and idealized.