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Show us your British suits

esteban68

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,107
Location
Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England
The jacket is a two button affair with two buttons on eaxch cuff, double rear vents, two pockets inside to the left and one to the right side;
116osxy.jpg
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55qwpy.jpg
1zny9u0.jpg

apologies for poor photos ...the light was fading...true colour is probably best seen on the lining of the jacket turned inside out and the up turned collar shot, It's very fresh and appears completely unworn with no staining, the slightly garish pattern may be the reason it had little wear!!!
 
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Marc Chevalier

Gone Home
Messages
18,192
Location
Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California
.
Gentlemen, here is a ‘mystery’ Shetland wool suit: no tailor labels of any kind, though the plus-fours’ buckles have a British maker’s name and the waistcoat’s back buckle says “British”.


The lining fabric is a very thick and slippery rayon satin, the kind I’ve seen on non-American clothing only. The coat’s sleeves have surgeon’s cuffs.


1930s? I reckon so. What say you?


Any thoughts about this suit would be greatly appreciated!




Marching flat cap:

IMG_4802.jpg


KGrHqZhYE6eolbdUgBPH2i3Hiq60_32WW.jpg




Front:

KGrHqNpcE8WsBfnqBBPH2huJo1g60_32.jpg




Back and waistcoat:

KGrHqNk8E8ETefzoPBPH2iKDFWg60_32.jpg




Underside of coat’s collar:

IMG_4775.jpg




Sleeve (narrow):

IMG_4781.jpg




Inside of sleeve cuff:

IMG_4774.jpg




Shoulder seam:

IMG_4779.jpg




Shoulder and yoke:

IMG_4780.jpg




Hand-worked buttonhole on front of coat:

IMG_4773.jpg
 
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herringbonekid

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,016
Location
East Sussex, England
Marc, it goes without saying that this is one of the rarest and most unique suits to ever have been shown here.

i wonder if a yank back in the late 20s - early 30s had it tailored in the UK then went back home with it, or if it was made for a Brit and subsequently got over the pond via vintage buyers later in its life ?
 

Nick D

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,166
Location
Upper Michigan
Brace buttons, belt loops, and side adjusters? Either the man wanted options or those things were staying in place no matter what.

The rounds at the pocket corners are fascinating. Can you give a better closeup of one of the pockets?

It looks like there's some sort of tape above the legbands. Are they stays, or are they covering darts?
 

scotrace

Head Bartender
Staff member
Messages
14,392
Location
Small Town Ohio, USA
Fabric, craftsmanship, construction, tailoring, interesting details, desirable format. This suit has everything going for it. And it is in exactly the right hands. I hope it stays put for a good while.
 

dhermann1

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,154
Location
Da Bronx, NY, USA
Marc, maybe you ought to double check to see if your personal measurements match the Duke of Windsor's, you never know.
Also, I think those buckles were made by that famous manufacturer, BSL (Birmingham Small Legs).
 

billyspew

One Too Many
Messages
1,746
Location
London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Thanks to Marc for pointing this one out.

That suit is incredible and peculiar.
I find it strange that the jacket and breeks are unlined and yet the waistcoat does have, unusual for what looks to be a sporting suit, could it have been designed to wear in warmer climates and the waistcoat for when they're in colder locations I wonder? Only supposition I know.

Strange the only label is in the hat too? Could it have been made elsewhere?

The style looks very early... but it's hard to place, but above all else this suit is incredible. I can only hope a pray I find something half this great in my size.

Bill
 

Mario

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,664
Location
Little Istanbul, Berlin, Germany
I find it strange that the jacket and breeks are unlined and yet the waistcoat does have, unusual for what looks to be a sporting suit, could it have been designed to wear in warmer climates and the waistcoat for when they're in colder locations I wonder? Only supposition I know.

I was wondering about that too. Most British-made jackets I've seen so far were fully lined - and came without a belted back.
 

herringbonekid

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,016
Location
East Sussex, England
Marc, maybe you ought to double check to see if your personal measurements match the Duke of Windsor's, you never know.

the Duke was very small: about 35-36 chest and 5' 6"ish ...Marc's suit is about a 40R. however, i'm certain that this suit was made for someone who was influenced by the styles made popular by the Duke.

from the American 'Men's Wear Magazine' 1924: "the average young man is more interested in the clothes of the Prince of Wales than the clothes of any other individual on earth" he was known for popularising fair ilse sweaters, 'plus four' golf knickers, and 'floppy golf hats'.

you can see some of the POW's plus four suits here:

http://42ndblackwatch1881.wordpress.com/2009/02/08/the-duke-of-windsors-sartorial-style-country/

all of them made between '23 and '34 which is when i think Marc's suit dates from.

I was wondering about that too. Most British-made jackets I've seen so far were fully lined - and came without a belted back.

yes, but as i said on another thread, this applies to lounge suit jackets and not to sports jackets, norfolks, school blazers and work jackets. British belted back jackets existed. they just appear incredibly rarely. you see them in English 30s films. there's one in almost every George Formby film i've seen from the late 30s to the early 40s.




.
 
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Anthony Jordan

Practically Family
Messages
674
Location
South Wales, U.K.
Quite remarkable! As to the question about lining, that the breeches are unlined is not surprising to me as I understand that such lining was considered a little effeminate, even in the case of the scratchiest tweeds! I would also take it for granted that the waistcoat would be lined - I don't think I've ever come across one which wasn't. The jacket is very intriguing, though.
 

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