FL suit experts,...do me a favor and tell me what you think the date of this suit is.

[Maj.Nick Danger]

It's a fairly coarse wool flannel, which makes me think it's '40s. Or even some fabric that was left over from earlier? [huh]
The union label is dated 1949, but the trousers seem to have the details of earlier styles. There is a watch pocket, dropped belt loops, two pleats, suspender buttons, and they are cuffed. Also a metal Talon zipper, which could be mid to late 1940s.

The jacket is partially lined, is un-vented, has 3 buttons, and the lapels are 3-1/2 inches wide with a functional button hole.

It almost looks like a suit that was made from older vintage fabric, with details specified by the customer.
Is it '40s?
Is it '50s?
Is it an amalgamation of fabric, styles and details that was specially morphed together for a customer? (There is a label inside with his name, but no date.)
Much obliged for any insight you might give in this matter.

 

[Jay]

I am completely stumped. Low blow to the vintage-identifying part of my ego...

Anyone else?

 

[Dr Doran]

No idea. Deckard?

 

[Feraud]

The union label is dated 1949, but the trousers seem to have the details of earlier styles.

I vote the obvious '49.

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Maybe this will clarify somewhat,....

...or serve to further obfuscate matters,... There is this tag, hand written in red pencil and attached by string to one of the belt loops.

The tag from a resale shop? The tailors? Cleaners?,...although 6 bucks seems a little steep for a dry cleaning 30 or 40 years ago,....

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

I vote the obvious '49.

As would I,....but still, my intuition says the jacket sort of has a '50s look to it. [huh]
(I want it to be older though. )

 

[Feraud]

Is the union label stamped like this?

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Here's some details.

Maybe this helps? The fabric is really strange. Has the weight of a flannel, but is scratchier so definitely made of wool. Close up it has,(how do I describe?) ...minute lighter colored fibers which look like they are on the surface of the fabric, but they are definitely woven into it. Like nothing I've ever seen before. [huh]
Here's the close up.

And a detail of the watch pocket.

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Is the union label stamped like this?

Nope, just a regular label with red numbers.

 

[resortes805]

You've got a 1950's suit. The lapels started to thin out towards the mid fifties while retaining the partial lining on the coat, and the dropped belt loops on the trousers. Is there a back vent on the coat, or is it ventless?

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

You've got a 1950's suit. The lapels started to thin out towards the mid fifties while retaining the partial lining on the coat, and the dropped belt loops on the trousers. Is there a back vent on the coat, or is it ventless?

No vent. So,...?[huh]

 

[Jay]

Now that it was mentioned, I'd also like to bet this is a 50s suit. I've had a brown suit from the later 50s very much like this. Does the fabric almost feel a little on the cheap side? And I've a pair of 50s pants with the same beltloop/waistband/watch pocket treatment.

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Now that it was mentioned, I'd also like to bet this is a 50s suit. I've had a brown suit from the later 50s very much like this. Does the fabric almost feel a little on the cheap side? And I've a pair of 50s pants with the same beltloop/waistband/watch pocket treatment.

Yeah, the fabric feels kinda scratchy, not smooth like a gabardine. Can't see any sort of weave pattern either, which is what really strikes me as being odd.
So I guess it's safe to assume '50s?

 

[dr greg]

zippity do dah

Not being an expert I wonder about the zip...when did they become a general feature of suits?

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Not being an expert I wonder about the zip...when did they become a general feature of suits?

I have a pair of officer's trousers from WW2 with a zipper. So it was mid '40s I think.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

50s

Looks like a 50s suit.

Zippers common from mid-late 30s.

What's the taper on the legs like?

The seams on the jacket are not finished in lining-matching rayon, right?

bk

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Looks like a 50s suit.

Zippers common from mid-late 30s.

What's the taper on the legs like?

The seams on the jacket are not finished in lining-matching rayon, right?

bk

The legs don't taper much at all. The seams are not finished thusly,...no.
So '50s it is then?

 

[Baron Kurtz]

On the balance of the evidence, yes i'd guess 1950s. Can never be certain, of course, but with those lapels and that label . . . the weight mounts towards the 50s. That clip at the waistband is pretty rare on pre-50s American gear . . . more common on British.

I might expect a little taper, though. What is the width at the cuff?

bk

 

[Matt Deckard]

I'd say early 60's
Narrow lapels narrow fit and the material.

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

On the balance of the evidence, yes i'd guess 1950s. Can never be certain, of course, but with those lapels and that label . . . the weight mounts towards the 50s. That clip at the waistband is pretty rare on pre-50s American gear . . . more common on British.

I might expect a little taper, though. What is the width at the cuff?

bk

Exactly 9-1/4 inches.