Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Show Us Vintage GERMAN Suits

Papperskatt

Practically Family
Messages
506
Location
Sweden
I think that you should take it in. Then you also get some excess fabric that you can use to patch the holes. :)

The sellers photos made me think that the jacket was from the 30s. Had I realised that it was older I would've gotten that one too... Oh well!
 

Dostioffsky

One of the Regulars
Messages
213
Location
the Netherlands
That's a good point! Hadn't thought of it...

I always had the impression the jacket was 1910's, looking back I'm not even quite sure why. I think it was the button stance.
 

Fastuni

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,277
Location
Germany
Ca. 1935 - 1940 grey flannel chalkstripe DB.
The tailoring details are IMO indicative of Northern European (Dutch, Scandinavian or German) provenance.
The typically German bowled buttons are replacements by me.
The original coat buttons were replaced previously by modern grey plastic buttons.
I chose light brown 30's buttons because the trouser buttons are just like that.

A perfect fit for me (after letting out the side seams of the coat).

The tie is the great "Mosley" by TT.

Grau.jpg

Grau%202.jpg

Grau%201.jpg
 
Last edited:

Fastuni

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,277
Location
Germany
Could be... but not primarily because of the tunnel loops.
Those can be found on Scandinavian and sometimes German trousers, too.
Incidentally the suit was bought by the previous owner in London.
Hard to pinpoint the provenance, for sure.
 

herringbonekid

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,016
Location
East Sussex, England
no, the tunnel belt loops would be unusual on a British suit, but there are examples out there.

several things look immediately British to me; the body and sleeve linings, the way the inside pocket is done, the type of trouser waist-lining and overall trouser construction.

great suit wherever it was made !
 
Last edited:

brendanm720

One of the Regulars
Messages
107
Location
The Torrid Zone
Ca. 1935 - 1940 grey flannel chalkstripe DB.
The tailoring details are IMO indicative of Northern European (Dutch, Scandinavian or German) provenance.
The typically German bowled buttons are replacements by me.
The original coat buttons were replaced previously by modern grey plastic buttons.
I chose light brown 30's buttons because the trouser buttons are just like that.

A perfect fit for me (after letting out the side seams of the coat).

The tie is the great "Mosley" by TT.

Grau.jpg

Holy Moley. That's great!
 

Two Types

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,456
Location
London, UK
It does have hybrid elements: interior pocket looks British stye, as does trouser lining, trouser buttons and waist closure. But, if I remember correctly, the pocket flap shape is more Germanic looking and I would have expected the trouser pockets to be on the side seam if it was British.

Also, what about the shoulder shape? It's hard to tell from the photo but it appears to have a very straight line whereas German suits often have a different shape (going up towards the sleeve - but I can't remember exactly when that shape changed).

Doesn't really matter, all that counts is that it looks bloody nice (especially with my old tie).
 

herringbonekid

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,016
Location
East Sussex, England
TT, not all British trouser pockets were cut on the side seam. here's a pair of CC41's that are angled forward:

_1030235_zpseppikegi.jpg


and here's another atypical pair (also CC41) with two waist buttons and a similar (to Fastuni's) pocket flap shape:

CC41%202%20button_zpsyyrvsnm8.jpg
 
Last edited:

Fastuni

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,277
Location
Germany
I have a pair of Finnish trousers that have tunnel loops and slanted side pockets.
That's why I was thinking about a Scandinavian background.

TT, regarding the shoulder shape.
In German fashion the periodization is roughly:
1933-1936 hollow shoulders (like a slight "pagoda")
1937-1940 very straight shoulders (sometimes angled upwards slightly)
After 1941 it became fashionable (per tailoring periodicals) to have them slope down slightly like a shallow roof.
But that didn't become widespread until after the war.
 

Fastuni

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,277
Location
Germany
Czech sportcoat.
Likely early 1950's - tailor-made in Budweis.
Rather stiff, but smooth surfaced, heathered camel-colored wool twill.

Welted pockets and short double vents. Fishmouth lapels pressed to the middle button.

I have yet to finish the let out sleeves.

Frojda%205.jpg


Frojda%201.jpg


Frojda%204.jpg


Frojda%202.jpg


Frojda%203.jpg
 

Two Types

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,456
Location
London, UK
Those short vents seem to have been very common in the late forties and early fifties on British tweed jackets.

And yes, it does look like covert cloth.

The jacket has an odd, and quite distinctive look. The hip pockets look like they are cut on an angle. I had expected that Czech tailors would use the same interior pocket arrangement as seen on German suits. But that is more like a British interior pocket.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
109,247
Messages
3,077,164
Members
54,183
Latest member
UrbanGraveDave
Top