Military Surplus fashion in the 1940s and 1950s

[Mike1973]

Excellent thread!

I have an album of photos from my great uncle Walter, who served as a teenager in the RASC through Normandy to Berlin. After the war he joined his local youth club. Most of the young chaps had seen military service and were wearing their old uniforms, but there was also a lot of cheap army surpus going around as well.
My uncle Barry is in this photo wearing his Denison Smock (He was Airborne/Royal Engineer) with a souvenir German belt worn upside down. Next to him is a chap in battledress and slacks.

hiking expedition by Mike, on Flickr

Battledress, rank and div. replaced with YHA patches. Walter is wearing a 4 pocket tunic I am not familiar with.

Broom Hill YHA just post war by Mike, on Flickr

 

[Mike1973]

Some great kit here on this late 40's winter cycling trip. Dyed battledress jackets with more YHA patches, and there is Uncle Barry again in his own parachute smock.

Cycling day out by Mike, on Flickr

Battledress again, and my uncle Walter in a jacket I am struggling to identify. Looks American, similar to lots of jackets ... USN? M41? But with breast pockets?
Note old army boots and gaiters.

Walter and friend by Mike, on Flickr

 

[Deacon211]

Awesome shots! Love that old post WWII look.

Who's the cute little tomato in that one pic? The fatigue pants are working for her.


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[Doctor Damage]

These photos are an excellent reference and time machine. I hope you've got more!

 

[Big J]

My god you've got to be slim to look good in Battledress jackets (@_@)

 

[Stearmen]

My god you've got to be slim to look good in Battledress jackets (@_@)

That's why both the U.S. Army and Air Force phased out the Ike Jackets. Though, ask any young Air Force officer what uniform they would like to wear, and almost all of them say, Pinks & Greens Ike!

 

[Deacon211]

Yeah, that short jacket is awesome!


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[DanielJones]

Now here is a piece of vintage inspired surplus outer wear that I can dig on.
http://freewheelers.co.jp/blog/?s=Air+Crew+Attached+Hood+Vest

Cheers!

Dan

 

[kyboots]

Army surplus was worn throughout the 50's as the US still had the draft and why not use it when you got out. In the 60s it was a statement and still Army surplus stores were everywhere. It was cheap covering for school. We all wore it in college. I wore mine in the 70s for professional school too. Army jackets were cheap. It died out in the late 70s-80s as Army stores closed up overtime.

 

[GHT]

What an amazing thread. When I was sixty and my father was eighty eight, I visited him wearing a faux camo shirt. He was quite forthright about his dislike. The shirt is no more. My father was one of those captured on Crete in 1941, he died just over ten years ago. I would love to get another pin up camo shirt, but as yet, his honour comes first.

 

[breezer]

Just pulled the trigger on this TSPTR / ELC collab - described as follows:

TSPTR x Eastman Leather Wool Biker Vest

Shearling vests were adopted by the USAAF in WWII for afford airmen some extra warmth under their leather flight jackets, when it wasn't quite cold enough to require their full sheepskin 2-piece suits. It was categorised as an 'intermediate' flight vest, Type C-3.

Basically it was the conception of the 'body-warmer', and proved to be immensely popular not only by aircrew but also in the post-war years for those enjoying outdoor pursuits such as motorcycling. A number of civilian variants soon followed, with nicer trim, and the addition of pockets.

https://tsptr.com/products/tsptr-x-eastman-biker-vest

 

[breezer]

What an amazing thread. When I was sixty and my father was eighty eight, I visited him wearing a faux camo shirt. He was quite forthright about his dislike. The shirt is no more. My father was one of those captured on Crete in 1941, he died just over ten years ago. I would love to get another pin up camo shirt, but as yet, his honour comes first.
View attachment 205499

killer camo!