How to date vintage Shirts & Trousers?

[splintercellsz]

I looked around, and was unable to find information on how to date shirts & trousers... What are some things to look for while out & about the thrift-shops and what-not?

Apologies if this has been asked before...

 

[Dinerman]

Lots of threads here for reference. Please refer to the threads regarding shirts and trousers in:
Links to important threads General Attire
Links to important threads Suits

Details to look for- the specifics are spread through a variety of the threads above.

Shirts:
Collar styles
fabrics
cuff styles
labels


Trousers:
button vs. zip fly
type of zipper
cut
rise
cuffs/no cuffs
fabric
pocket styles

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

You need to specify which decade you are going for. Early 30s shirts will look very differen from 50s shirts.

European shirts earlier than 1940s were often in a pull-over style. The placket does end about at the waist. Many collar stles were avaivable but in general the collar space was smaller than the modern spread collar shirts.
On trousers look for a high waist and all wool. Details depend

 

[sproily]

Shirts pre-1940's were not only often pull-over style, but also faux-pull-over style. As in, they look like such, but the front is from two pieces instead of one.

Often longer collar points and narrow necks in the collars. Very rarely any pockets. The fabric, when printed, only on one face of the fabric. The buttons are often mother of pearl. The stitching is finer and more dense. The fabric also feels fairly substantial and often the shirts have been starched. Detachable collars (no collar, but holes in the front and neck).

That's a few things I can think of.