Palm Beach Company

In 1960, Palm Beach suits were manufactured by the Palm Beach Company, which was controlled by Elmer L. Ward. This company was the successor to the Goodall Company/Sanford-Goodall, Inc. that originally developed the unique Palm Beach cloth.

The company was privately held and controlled by Elmer L. Ward until it went public in 1965.

While the original textile production happened in Sanford, Maine, the suits themselves were primarily manufactured in other locations, including a significant operation in Cincinnati, Ohio. Palm Beach suits were most famous for their specially blended, lightweight cloth, designed for warm weather comfort. By the 1960s, the fabric composition often included blends of rayon, acetate, mohair, and nylon, moving away from the earlier secret wool/mohair/cotton blends. These legendary lightweight, summer-weight fabrics were ideal for the Florida climate where JFK spent much of his leisure time.