30s-50s British Suit Trouser photo resource

[Baron Kurtz]

Here's my latest idea. A single thread where we can talk about the details of British suit trousers of the 30s-50s. The cut seems to have been largely invariant, but there are distinct details which appear sometimes but not always. (I'm hoping herringbonekid and Ben Stephens will add their pictures too.)

Maybe this thread will give some of you some ideas for getting repros made.

Anyway, from my scanty collection of British menswear we start in the 1930s.

A pair of cream flannels. Note scalloped back pocket flap, side adjusters at the waistband, high-ish but not crazy high waist, the waistband gets thicker at the back, creating a rise to the back seam. The leg is very wide (22.5") at the cuff.

#2 30s: Again a high-ish waist rising to the back, this time to a fishtail. External suspender buttons, no back pocket flap. Not so wide cuffs at a mere 19.5".

bk

 

[Baron Kurtz]

And on into the 1940s. Here's the trousers from the demob suit i got from Senator Jack a while back. Again, external suspender buttons

bk

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Early 1950s suit with very 40s styling to the trousers. External suspender buttons and high back but no fishtailing.

1954: that Bertie Wooster sourced tweed i posted yesterday. Very very high back and generally high waist.

bk

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Rear pocket flaps.

bk

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Side adjuster with buckle:

bk

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Button fly, "English" pleats, extender tab closure and external suspender buttons. No watch pocket in the trousers.

bk

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Button fly, "English" pleats, extender tab closure, external suspender buttons and a flapped watch pocket.

bk

 

[benstephens]

Baron,

I will post as soon as I can, but this is a good topic. When I get home at the weekend I will start to take some pictures of the trouser details.

Kindest Regards

Ben

 

[kools]

This will be a very informative topic, as I feel my British knowledge is very limited.

 

[benstephens]

I found these in my Photobucket albulm. They are from a 1945 Herringbone tweed suit.

No pleats and pockets cut across the front.

Ben

 

[Baron Kurtz]

That's what i was hoping for! These weird details that we don't come across very often - look how high that back is!

bk

 

[benstephens]

I will try and get a picture of the trousers on. These ones do not fit at the moment, the waist is too large. That will be rectified in the very near future.

Baron, do you want plus-fours he as well as trousers?

Ben

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Yes, that would be nice.

bk

 

[benstephens]

I will get some better pictures, but these are from a 193 dated suit.

Ben

 

[Marc Chevalier]

It's clear where Mr. Hideki Okisaka, our favorite Japanese designer, gets his inspiration from. The British originals:

And here is a new pair by Okisaka:

.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

According to hbk, he sources his fabric in London, too.

bk

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I will get some better pictures, but these are from a 193 dated suit.

Ben

Those are great. 193, eh . . . pretty old fabric, that

bk

 

[Mike1973]

'30's? plus fours

 

[iammatt]

My problem with very highwaisted pants is that they look terrible when viewed from the front. The person looks like he has no upper body, which is not particularly flattering. I know that there are many other reasons to wear them, and if you never open your jacket it really doesn't matter, but high pants just seem to lack any sex appeal whatsoever.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

... high pants just seem to lack any sex appeal whatsoever.

That's exactly how my wife feels about them. She's reminded of old men who cinch their Sansabelt slacks way up over their bellies.

.