Whenever I think about clothing shortages at that time, it reminds me of the story of an acquaintance of mine (now in his nineties). As a teenager from a very poor South London family, he grew up wearing second hand victorian and edwardian suits. They were heavy, totally out of fashion, and ill-fitting. It was not until he joined the army in 1938 that he was able to afford a new outfit: grey a pale blue suit. But he had little chance to wear it since war was declared. He spent five years as a prisoner of war, then came home desperate to get out of the army and put on his one and only suit. Whilst recovering in hospital he was visited by his mother who told him she had spent all his savings and had pawned his suit. He stills bitter about it!Originally Posted by Nick D
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