Battledress - expanded

[donCarlos]

So I finally found an army shop in Prague where they sell these garments, we usually call "battledress" (I don´t know if it is the right name). It looks like this:

It´s not really what I really wanted (german black panzer wrap tunic), but it´s good as well. I would buy it, but I don´t have a clue what to wear it with.

So I ask you, the experts, who surely have some experience with this - what would be suitable to wear this with? I don´t want to look like a reenactor, I would like it to look somewhat casual... I thought about brown fedora, maybe jeans? I really don´t know. Please, help me.

 

[Inusuit]

Nice jacket. I think you're on the right track for a casual, non-reenactor look. I'd wear it with a silverbelly or gray hat. Jeans would be good. Black tee shirt.

 

[Feraud]

That is a versatile jacket color and material for a dress down look.
I would wear it with anything from jeans and a newsboy style cap, boots, workshirts, dark pants, etc.
It goes with nearly anything.

 

[H.Johnson]

I wouldn't attempt advise you on what to wear with it as that's a personal thing but I could perhaps advise you on what it is, if you wish.
I have a few WW2 battledress blouses of various types and wear them regularly with British No2 dress woollen officers trousers (matching fabric, civilian cut), khaki drill trousers (1950 pattern) or cotton slacks (or chinos) depending on the outdoor temperature. For headwear I usually wear a WW2 slouch hat (with pagri), cap comforter or serge cloth cap.

You'd probably say I look like a re-enactor, but I think it looks OK. To me, serge and denim don't go together. Just my opinion.

 

[Davep]

It has similar features to the Ike Jacket, but is not one

 

[H.Johnson]

Right continent, I think, but wrong country...

 

[Dinerman]

 

[Fiver64]

possible ID of jacket

Having done a fair amount of militaria collecting and reenacting, my best guess as to just what it is.............is............. maybe Canadian, and probably 50's vintage. There may be some stamps inside that would give you the answer, but in any case they are classy jackets. The Canadian battledress was a darker green than the the standard Brit kit.

 

[H.Johnson]

Good. Possibly 50s, possibly earlier. Difficult to tell from this photo.

My favourite BD blouse.

 

[donCarlos]

Yes, it is a canadian blouse and, sadly, I don´t own it. I took that photo from some e-shop just for ilustration.

Thanks for all your advices, I think I´ll visit some shops tommorow and see what I can for some reasonable price.

edit: as for the regular ike jacket - of course, that would be best, but is kind of... hard to find here, or anywhere else in my size.
Talking about size, does the military stuff have the same sizing as normal jackets?

 

[PADDY]

...

Has the look of a wartime Commonwealth country battle-dress. Whereas Diner's is the early post-war version. I do like the collar on the WwII versions!

I had an original, pristine British one from WWII with major's fabric crowns on the shoulders. My mother took it to the charity/thrift shop along with an early 40's club blazer with the most beautiful wire embroidered club badge. not good!!

 

[Opas Coat]

worn open, black t shirt, blue jeans, aviator glasses...

 

[Fiver64]

Talking about size, does the military stuff have the same sizing as normal jackets?

Not positive, but most UK battledress (and GI) sizes are deceptively larger than the stated size. Example: A size 40 tunic might actually fit like a 44 to most folks wearing just a t-shirt underneath. They were designed to wear and undershirt, dress or battle shirt and often a tie or even a sweater underneath. The only real way to know if it will work for you is to try it on. Good luck and I hope you find one that fits.

Be warned though, get one large enough for you to actually wear something below. The wool is not normally high quaility and soft, but rather coarse and itchy. They are rarely fully lined (unless you can find a private purchase or officer's tunic. In case you don't like the wool, the brits made a work tunic out of greenish denim, that has the same design. Not quite as classy, but more comfy IMHO. They made these well into the 60's so they are readily availabe and quite inexpensive. I'd show you a pic, but I don't have attachment previliges yet.

 

[Spitfire]

Great jacket for everyday use. warm and not too warm.
You can wear it with everything - even a nice shirt and a cravat...

 

[Old Fogey UK]

DonCarlos,
Please could you give me the address of the shop ?
I'm visiting Prague in November and I would like to see what they have.

 

[donCarlos]

So, I spent last five hours walking all over Prague, but it was worth it. I brought home a belgian blouse with insignia (I will demilitarise it for normal wearing), obviously from 1969. Judging from the insignia, it belonged to some sergeant from 1. Belgian corps in Germany. Cost me like 30 dollars, instead of 100-200 in the other shop.

EDIT: I managed to find that the certain unit was probably 14th artillery regiment, stationed in Werl at that time. It´s strange, because of these red facings with black top, which meant line infantry and grenadiers. However, the only units in belgian army in 1969 with number 14 in name were engineers, signalmen and BPS, so it probably is from the artillery

I will post some photos of me wearing it as soon as I remove the insignia, probably tommorow.

 

[donCarlos]

One more question.
It smells. You know that smell when things lie for a long time in some warehouse? How do I get rid of it?

Is it possible to manually wash this wool fabric?

 

[H.Johnson]

Febreze (or local equivalent) and airing (hanging outdoors).

Don't wash it! Or, with some risk if shrinking wash it very carefully in cold water and let it dry naturally).

 

[H.Johnson]

A lot of Canadian battledress was left in Europe after WW2. Most of it was issued to the British Army after WW2, but a significant amount was left in mid- Europe by the withdrawing Canadian Army Occupation Force.

Dinerman's BD is the British Army 1949 pattern.

Has the look of a wartime Commonwealth country battle-dress. Whereas Diner's is the early post-war version. I do like the collar on the WwII versions!

 

[donCarlos]

Thank you, that´s exactly what I didn´t want to hear
So it´s like dry cleaning only, is it?