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heart-breaking

thunderw21

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,044
Location
Iowa
I've heard it said many times on here that finding matching trousers for an orphaned suit jacket is pretty much impossible. I agree with that statement but know there are always exceptions to the rules.

The other day I visited a local army surplus store that still sells real, old surplus. While wandering the aisles I came upon a pair of very blue pants stashed away on a shelf. This blue in a sea of OD piqued my curiosity so I took a look at them. At first I thought they were Marine dress blue trousers but they didn't have a red stripe down the leg.

Turns out they were a pair of flat-front gabardine dress pants from the early 1950s! They appeared to be civilian but had the former owner's military serial number penned onto the interior. The color and fabric perfectly matched my blue gabardine jacket from the 1950s!

DB001.jpg


I'd beaten the odds! Long lost trousers, now found! So I thought.

The waist was a perfect fit. Sadly, they were too short so I grudgingly put them back on the shelf. A couple times I glanced back, like a shy lover, but decided to get the heck out of there before my money started burning a hole in my pocket. I would've looked like Thom Browne if I tried to wear them. The price wasn't bad, either.

Oh well. [huh] I'll keep looking.
 

Jay

Practically Family
Messages
920
Location
New Jersey
You should have bought them just to have in case you decide to sell the jacket. This way you'd have a full suit. Just a thought, I guess.
 

thunderw21

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,044
Location
Iowa
resortes805 said:
Did they have cuffs? You can always unroll the cuffs.

No, no cuffs unfortunately. There was only 1/4" extra on the hem.


Jay said:
You should have bought them just to have in case you decide to sell the jacket. This way you'd have a full suit. Just a thought, I guess.

You know, I actually never thought of that. :D I don't intend on selling it anytime soon but ya never know...
 

Jerekson

One Too Many
Messages
1,620
Location
1935
That sure is a frustrating tale. But really, I wouldn't doubt that you could get lucky and find the pants in a longer size. That can't be the only pair of blue trousers made in the 50's...you should keep looking, and I'm sure you'll get lucky.

To tell you the truth, I don't understand the dillema about orphaned suit jackets. Yes, it's nearly impossible to find a pair of pants to match them, but finding pairs that compliment them is another story.

Honestly, I could wear a pair of white trousers with that jacket of yours and be perfectly happy.
 

benstephens

Practically Family
Messages
689
Location
Aldershot, UK
A friend of mine had a lovely brown single breasted striped suit, he came across an orphaned double breasted jacket, same cloth and same manufacturer. The only time though that i have known it to happen!

Ben
 
I recently got very close with an orphaned CC41 SBPL. But it's not quite perfect. One that i thought was perfect (NRA: one black DB 3-piece, one black SB 3-piece) turns out to be not quite either. The weaves are ever s slightly different. Both twill, but with a slightly different angle to the ribs.

bk
 

thunderw21

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,044
Location
Iowa
MudInYerEye said:
Your heart breaks that easy?
I know a she-devil that will help you re-define heartbreak for you.

It was cracked from previous she-demons, this one broke the camel's back. ;)
 

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