Do you think this suit would be flannel, gabardine, or what?

[David Conwill]

I have a sportcoat with this coloring and drape, but it's a heavy, soft cotton and I doubt that a suit this dark would be made from cotton, would it? I've been reading descriptions of fabrics online and trying to determine what it might be. I really like the look of this suit and I've often wondered to what lengths I'd have to go to replicate it. Sorry for the size of the picture, but I've left it in context so maybe that will help the sartorial historians.

-Dave

 

[resortes805]

This thread on the bold look will give you a better idea about suits from this era.

Gab is kind of the signature fabric for this particular look.

 

[Madame_Circa]

My guess would be wool - perhaps gabardine, perhaps a fine weave tweed.

 

[LondonLuke]

Is it still possible to get a gabardine suit?

 

[Fletch]

I see many wool gab suits at Syms discount houses in the NYC area. Most are the lower priced RL label, RALPH. They're more common than they were several years ago, but they are only in summer colors — light/dark tan, olive, or rarely, taupe. In the 50s and before, gabs in blues, greys, even black could be had.

I've seen a dark tan just about the color of the suit in the illustration. It was a standard high-roll 3-button of today that could pass for an early-mid 50s cut, not the bolder, more dramatic shape of the late 40s.

A tan gab suit would have been highly typical for Mr. Middle-Class Car Buyer of 1948-'49. Probably a mid-priced article with slit pockets, 2-button front with wide lapels and shoulders, ventless, only one inside jacket pocket, and wide, pegged trou with double pleats and a zipper closure. It might have cost him $30-35.

Gabardine would also be seasonally appropriate for the rollout period for new model cars then, around September.

 

[Matt Deckard]

I really think it's ink.

 

[David Conwill]

I really think it's ink.

I tried that look briefly, but I just don't have the bod for it, I'm afraid.

-Dave

 

[Fletch]

Few do any Moore. * Image likely NSFW *