In my opinion, luck is not most essential. My sister and I had to saw our way through. It wasn’t easy. What counts more than luck is determination and perseverance. If the talent is there, it will come through. -Fred Astaire


The young Astaire, circa 1920. The natural-shouldered suit coat proclaims his early commitment to style and comfort. © Photofest


Astaire arrives at Grand Central Station on June 19, 1934. He had just completed the musical The Gay Divorcee, his second film with Ginger Rogers at RKO Radio Pictures. © Bettmann/Corbis


Geared up for rehearsal on a back lot soundstage, 1940s: extra shoes, sweat towel at neck, trousers rolled. © John Engstead/MPTV.net.


Astaire grooming, 1935. Note the fancy belt buckle and monogram on the left shirtsleeve. © Courtesy of Peter Rauch.


Astaire on the back lot during shooting of Swing Time (1936). Fred wears black swallowtail coat and striped trousers, wing collar and wedding ascot, spats and top hat. © Collection Christophe L.


Astaire on a soundstage, shortly after his arrival in Hollywood in 1933. Dressed in an immaculate tweed three-piece town suit, long-point pin-collared dress shirt and striped tie, brown suede chukka boots, ad a felt fedora © Courtesy Peter Rauch.


With tennis racquets, 1936: Jacket and trousers by London’s famed tailors Anderson & Sheppard. © Courtesy Polo Ralph Lauren


Astaire Elegance at home, 1936: Savile Row-cut tweed sports jacket in a district check pattern (note the ticket pocket), white gabardine trousers, white buckskin shoes with rubber soles, and a cashmere scarf as an ascot. © Photofest


Practicing a favorite sport, 1930s, in lisle polo shirt and gabardine trousers with silk scarf as a self-supporting waistband. © Collection Christophe L.


Practicing a favorite sport, 1930s. © Collection Christophe L.


Under a painting of his favorite horse, Triplicate, at his ranch, Chatsworth, 1952.


Fred, Fred Junior, Phyllis, and Peter in 1939.


He was a genuine family man, and he put a great premium on privacy. He traveled only when his work necessitated it, and he chose to devote his free time to a small, selective group of friend. -Sarah Giles