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Show Us Vintage GERMAN Suits

Two Types

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,456
Location
London, UK
Perfection

Damian, welcome to the wonderful world of European suits! Now you know why some of us get so excited over continental tailoring and don't spend too much time mourning the diminishing number of US suit enthusiasts on the FL! Fastuni has posted photos of a couple of fantatic suits recently. Let's hope there are many more to come.
 

Fastuni

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,277
Location
Germany
Yes, there is more Euro-stuff to come.

This belted wool-tricot sports jacket with "slip-on" collar, essential double-scalloped yoke and flap-pockets was posted already at the outerwear section, but here again to keep the German/Central European stuff together:

30erSportjacke.jpg
 

Two Types

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,456
Location
London, UK
What weight is that fabric?

It reminds me of the sort of jacket that you see in old Soviet photographs - worn with wide open white shirt collar, white cap, white shoes and white trousers. Sort of Black Sea holiday resort, 1935, is what comes to mind for me.
 

Fastuni

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,277
Location
Germany
There were also summer jackets of this style, but the fabric of the belted blue sports jacket is certainly in the 24 oz league. It is thick and heavy, but not overly dense in weave (tricot... giving it also some stretch). I wear it only for cold weather - with layers beneath, since it is a bit roomy.
 
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Fastuni

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,277
Location
Germany
Here some better photos of a suit of similar style as the C&A suit, which was mentioned briefly before in the discussion over the snap-button straps inside the waistband (for holding up undies).

It is a suit made by a tailor, whose name we'll never know, but who labelled his work with "Feine Massarbeit" (fine bespoke work) at the hanger.

The fabric is black herringbone with powder blue and pink rope-stripes.
The handfelled lining is quite glossy and rather thick. The sleeves and waistband are lined with striped thick cotton fabric, while the pockets are made of warm yellow molton/felt. The owner of the suit probably wanted it to be warm and comfy. :)

I'd date this at 1938... while the short length, strongly nipped waist and narrow button spacing might suggest an earlier 1930's dating, the flat back skirt and shoulders hint IMO rather towards 1938. Until around 1936 the ideal shoulder of German tailoring was "hollow" and the back skirt had some give to create "beauty folds".

1-7.jpg

2-3.jpg

3-2.jpg

4-3.jpg

5-3.jpg

6-3.jpg

7-1.jpg


Best Regards
 
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Fastuni

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,277
Location
Germany
Thanks - that beats any speculation. :D

How was the front belt attached? Two buttons at the ends of the back belt I suppose, or?
Also I'm curious as to the type of buckle on the belt.
 

Chrome

One of the Regulars
Messages
252
Location
Hyvinkää, Finland
Finnish black one. 1920's? could it be from 10's?

two silk covered buttons, also in sleeves (non working)

blackiefull.jpg


Peak lapel
blackielapel.jpg


blackiepocket.jpg

blackieback.jpg

blackiecollar.jpg

blackielining.jpg


blackietrouser2.jpg

blackietrouser4.jpg

blackietrouser3.jpg

blackietrouser5.jpg


Trousers are taken out sometime in their lives. Buckle says Prima..
 

tylerdurden

New in Town
Messages
2
Location
Shanghai
First post on this forum, hi everyone

I thought this would be a suitable thread to post a query. I have in my possession an old suit of my father's. It was made for him in Vienna, most likely around 1948-50 when he lived there. Apart from a couple of superficial stains, it appears to be in excellent condition, and interestingly, it also fits me. Here are some photos:

IMG_3289.jpg


IMG_3290.jpg


IMG_3291.jpg


IMG_3292.jpg


IMG_3293.jpg


IMG_3294.jpg


IMG_3295.jpg


I looked up the given address of "ITA Qualität" on Google Maps and it appears now to be occupied by a Cartier boutique. It's a stone's throw from the Stefansdom in central Vienna, so I imagine this was quite a prestigious bespoke tailor at the time. The fabric is from Reid & Taylor who are a 150-year-old Scottish firm. The suit has a feeling of quality to it, although I'm surprised that the trousers have a hook and zipper closure - perhaps this was already standard at that time.

The trouser leg is very wide at the bottom and I am tempted to have it tapered by a tailor so that I can wear the suit. I imagine this plan will elicit howls of derision and horror from the cognoscenti, but then again, perhaps this suit is not worth much as an historical relic...although...it does happen to date from the exact time and place of "The Third Man".

I'd appreciate any comments from those better-informed than myself (which I'm sure is just about everybody). Thanks.
 

Fastuni

Call Me a Cab
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2,277
Location
Germany
First of all when exaxtly did your father live in Austria?

The trousers (particularly the waistband and zipper) strongly hint towards mid-50's to 60's. The jacket is conservatively cut (not slim) and passes for a 1940' look in lapel size and button-stance - but the trouser waist is most atypical of German tailoring of 1940's or early 50's... these kind of waistband-tape with zipper only became common in the 60's, but may have been introduced already in the 50's.
Regarding the lack of turn up cuffs on the trousers - can you notice whether they were let out at some point?

Also the labels and interior pockets are more suggestive of 1950's as an earliest date.

ITA still exists as "ITA Gmbh" for Men's and Women's fashion - this is a chain with several stores in Austria, though they changed their Vienna address. This suggests to me not a bespoke traditional tailor but a "confection" clothes producer.

I would under no circumstance taper down the legs... this was commonplace in the late 1940s to 60's, but it destroys the classic and elegant look that straight legs create. I would leave the suit as it is and enjoy wearing it. It is a nice and complete suit - though certainly younger than you asumed.
 
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tylerdurden

New in Town
Messages
2
Location
Shanghai
OK thanks all for the opinions. I was suspicious of my own date estimate and this is now confirmed. My parents moved to Australia in 1950 but were probably back in Europe (visiting) in the early 60s - hence it's safe to assume my dad purchased this suit at that time.

As a late 50s or early 60s suit, nice material and well-made but not bespoke, reasonable but not mint condition, it seems this suit is not particularly noteworthy. Still, it's a nice find.
 

cinetex

New in Town
Messages
11
Location
Berlin
Here a few typical german suits between 1910 and 1950.
These items entered our stock before 1997 and will leave us now for a movie production....
Regards
Bjorn & Marcus


<a href="http://imgur.com/3tKjtS9"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/3tKjtS9.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>
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