Reproduction classic workwear

[mattfink]

There were several NOS 1900s polka dot workshirts at one booth. (These are the shirts that fetch thousands of bucks on eBay.) After looking over them closely, I reluctantly concluded that the cotton was very cheap, the dyes were blotchy, and the stitching was uneven. In other words, they were kinda junky. The fact is that the reproductions of these particular shirts are MUCH better made than the originals themselves. (Or at least the originals that I saw.)


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I couldn't wear a shirt that cost $1,000...I'd shred it for sure. Good repro is the way to go.

 

[jetgirl]

Between the color and black and white photos, these could be the same women 35 years later or so...!

Thanks guys, you're awesome. These are great! Love the "ideal" girl. Got to get a matching jacket for my dungarees. That last one looks like an early movie test. I see a 1912 unreleased silent "Betty the Farmerette" on imdb.
I also found a gallery of "farmerettes" from 1918, although I can't get the webpage to pull up. The outfits are not as styling as the War Years ones though, just white shirts and overalls.

 

[jetgirl]

There were several NOS 1900s polka dot workshirts at one booth. (These are the shirts that fetch thousands of bucks on eBay.) After looking over them closely, I reluctantly concluded that the cotton was very cheap, the dyes were blotchy, and the stitching was uneven. In other words, they were kinda junky. The fact is that the reproductions of these particular shirts are MUCH better made than the originals themselves. (Or at least the originals that I saw.)


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Like this? So possibly a homemade one today would actually look pretty authentic.

 

[Doug C]

Her cap looks like a flat (as in not an eight piece) newsboy/drivers cap with her hair bunched up underneath.

Wow, the bill on that particular cap looks great.. is there a name for such a bill? Normally on newsboys the bill is nearly hidden. This one looks extended a little and uniquely curved.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I couldn't wear a shirt that cost $1,000...

Try $7,000.


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[Feraud]

There were several NOS 1900s polka dot workshirts at one booth. (These are the shirts that fetch thousands of bucks on eBay.) After looking over them closely, I reluctantly concluded that the cotton was very cheap, the dyes were blotchy, and the stitching was uneven. In other words, they were kinda junky. The fact is that the reproductions of these particular shirts are MUCH better made than the originals themselves. (Or at least the originals that I saw.)


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Interesting. Thanks for sharing that perspective Marc.

 

[Doug C]

If any of you ladies would be interested in a denim Navy style jacket, I came across this one. It has a shawl collar and a cool jumper style "cape" for lack of a better description. Nowhere near authentic, but could probably pass for workwear sort of. PM me if interested.

 

[lci419]

Guess we should all go over to the Powder Room to discuss men's jeans then?

 

[BellyTank]

Wow, the bill on that particular cap looks great.. is there a name for such a bill? Normally on newsboys the bill is nearly hidden. This one looks extended a little and uniquely curved.

That's an English flat cap.
Made by Old Town, in England.


B
T

 

[BellyTank]

Try $7,000.


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I'd wear that for a dollar.


B
T

 

[mattfink]

Try $7,000.


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Even a repro with the Stifel dots fabric will cost a bit of scratch. I think you need 2.5 yards of fabric for shirt. My tailor will pop a shirt off for me for about $100. Plus finding buttons will run about $150+.

 

[scottyrocks]

Acquiring classic and repro work wear is a lot like making love to a woman.

Im hoping that by this you mean that it has to be done with great passion and care.

 

[BellyTank]

I thought he meant that it costs a lot of money-
Sorry, Mike.


B
T

 

[Alexi]

Im hoping that by this you mean that it has to be done with great passion and care.

ummm in so much that sometime reproductions are better?

 

[Doug C]

That's an English flat cap.
Made by Old Town, in England.BT

Thanks BT - Might look into getting one. Who are some of the places that sell them ? I assume a repro would be available somewhere..

 

[jetgirl]

Guess we should all go over to the Powder Room to discuss men's jeans then?

If they are high waisted, I say join in!

 

[jetgirl]

Is this shaped like the Old Town one? You could always shape the brim to curl.

hat people

 

[mike]

I thought he meant that it costs a lot of money-
Sorry, Mike.


B
T

lol I hadn't thought how infinitely that line is open to interpretation! I was just meaning in a silly, non-scumbaggy kind of way: take your time, don't rush

 

[BellyTank]

Do I look like I'm rushin'?
I'm Polish.

As they say in the capital,
Mos go.


B
T

 

[Mysterious Mose]

Is this shaped like the Old Town one? You could always shape the brim to curl.

hat people

Yeah, but no...

Still, the Old town cap has Dutch Boy cap influences. Yours are much more Dutch cap than English driver
Dutch cap:

English cap: