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Show us your British suits

Hal

Practically Family
Messages
590
Location
UK
Going by the ads it seems that there were several different constructions - a Milium plus foam insulated lining is mentioned in additon to regular Milium, and quilted liners are mentioned (the suits don't have a quilted liner, do they?).
Thin layers of foam (rubber-type, but I don't know precisely what material) were sometimes used to interline light overcoats in the middle 1960s (about the time that Milium began to be discarded). The coats were, as one might guess, stiff and rather uncomfortable, and this trend did not last long.
 

Sir RBH

A-List Customer
Messages
314
Location
Herefordshire, England
Hello Gentleman (and Ladies).. This is my favourite suit.. its from Huntsman .. (or should I call it Kingsmen now!!??)
Its the heaviest tweed ever.. and a 4 piece too.. all the details you would expect, button fly, fishtail back, brace buttons.. and the most amazing craftsmanship... Huntsman.jpg
 

Eddie Derbyshire

Practically Family
Messages
849
Location
Riddings, Derbyshire, UK
Thin layers of foam (rubber-type, but I don't know precisely what material) were sometimes used to interline light overcoats in the middle 1960s (about the time that Milium began to be discarded). The coats were, as one might guess, stiff and rather uncomfortable, and this trend did not last long.

I've heard that those rubber linings have degraded over time and have turned toxic? I turned down a lovely light tweed mac because the rubber lining was dropping to bits and had a nasty fragrance.
 

Eddie Derbyshire

Practically Family
Messages
849
Location
Riddings, Derbyshire, UK
Hello Gentleman (and Ladies).. This is my favourite suit.. its from Huntsman .. (or should I call it Kingsmen now!!??)
Its the heaviest tweed ever.. and a 4 piece too.. all the details you would expect, button fly, fishtail back, brace buttons.. and the most amazing craftsmanship... View attachment 30308

Very nice! Tailored for yourself or a second-hand acquisition?
 

Sir RBH

A-List Customer
Messages
314
Location
Herefordshire, England
it was an ebay find about 8 years ago.. absolute gem too.. and you really don't wish to know how much I paid for it.. (or indeed had it valued by Huntsman to make now)...
 

Eddie Derbyshire

Practically Family
Messages
849
Location
Riddings, Derbyshire, UK
Hello all,

On my way with my wife to Chatsworth House! Really sunny so sorry about the brightness on the photo - I've tried to edit it down. It's a suit I had made for me by a MTM firm that my outfitter uses (in Yorkshire I think - not a sweatshop place anyway). It's based on a 1930s style, although they didn't get it spot-on with a number of details (button-stance, waistcoat points etc). I still love it though! It has fishtail trousers and a cinch-buckle on the back, and the jacket is half-lined.



Thanks for looking!
 

PeterB

One of the Regulars
Messages
183
Location
Abu Dhabi
Hello all,

On my way with my wife to Chatsworth House! Really sunny so sorry about the brightness on the photo - I've tried to edit it down. It's a suit I had made for me by a MTM firm that my outfitter uses (in Yorkshire I think - not a sweatshop place anyway). It's based on a 1930s style, although they didn't get it spot-on with a number of details (button-stance, waistcoat points etc). I still love it though! It has fishtail trousers and a cinch-buckle on the back, and the jacket is half-lined.



Thanks for looking!

Eddie, I think that suit turned out very well. I am curious; what is it about the button stance that you think is off? The trousers could have been a little wider in the thigh and knee, possibly, but overall it seems the tailor did a good job.
 

Eddie Derbyshire

Practically Family
Messages
849
Location
Riddings, Derbyshire, UK
Eddie, I think that suit turned out very well. I am curious; what is it about the button stance that you think is off? The trousers could have been a little wider in the thigh and knee, possibly, but overall it seems the tailor did a good job.

Hi PeterB,
Sorry for the late reply. Nothing drastic really, but I wanted the buttons in line with the pockets, i.e. bottom button in line with the hips pockets. However, with having that ticket pocket, it looks OK. With buttons the way they are, it fastens with a bit of a pull. Just me being picky! :)
And thanks for your compliments on the suit. It otherwise fits me well, and I like it a lot.
 

Eddie Derbyshire

Practically Family
Messages
849
Location
Riddings, Derbyshire, UK
Ladies and Gents, I've got a booklet from Burtons the Tailors, published 1948, on measuring up customers for a suit. Is it something people might be interested in seeing? I think it's pretty rare - it was never for sale, and was strictly only for Burtons employees to see. It has some illustrations and some interesting insights into Burtons as a company.
A friend of mine has the better one - the style book, with photos of the latest trends etc in the forties. I might try and borrow it off him to photo...
 

Rabbit

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,561
Location
Germany
Ladies and Gents, I've got a booklet from Burtons the Tailors, published 1948, on measuring up customers for a suit. Is it something people might be interested in seeing?

Might be interesting. Sounds like there is more info in there than the rather self-evident instructions that today's MTM companies provide for vendors.
 

1940sFreddie

Familiar Face
Messages
55
Location
England uk
Ladies and Gents, I've got a booklet from Burtons the Tailors, published 1948, on measuring up customers for a suit. Is it something people might be interested in seeing? I think it's pretty rare - it was never for sale, and was strictly only for Burtons employees to see. It has some illustrations and some interesting insights into Burtons as a company.
A friend of mine has the better one - the style book, with photos of the latest trends etc in the forties. I might try and borrow it off him to photo...

Would be very interested to see it too Eddie. As a Montague Burtons collector always interested in seeing other items in people's collections. :)
 

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