1950s British suits

[Two Types]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dark-Blue-1950s-Vintage-Suit-/221117190313?pt=UK_Men_s_Suits_Tailoring&hash=item337b9c90a9

There is no tailors/makers label in this suit but the vendor has listed it as 1950s. I don't know much about fifties suits, but would guess late 50s.
It's a very plain suit and, being a larger size, might be good for the larger loungers among us.

The same vendor is selling a 1950s Moss Bros suit. However, they have only posted pics of the trousers!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Moss-Bros1950s-Charcoal-Single-Breasted-Suit-/221116800084?pt=UK_Men_s_Suits_Tailoring&hash=item337b969c54

Without pics, it's difficult to tell what the condition might be, but they claim it looks unworn.

 

[herringbonekid]

this seems to be the the same seller as 'wardrobe-dept' who sold the 30s (advertised as 20s) suit recently.

 

[Two Types]

They seem to operate two different selling accounts: 'Wardrobe' & 'MettFellow'. Both seem to offer a good range of interesting, genuine vintage, clothing. I always look out for their listings.

 

[David Conwill]

The low gorge with such wide lapels seems an odd combination. Do you think there's a missing waistcoat?

 

[Two Types]

Not necessarily. British suits in the late 1950s were often in that style. Men like my father (born in 1929) and most of his mates (if photos are anything to go by) never wore waistcoats.

The lack of a waistcoat helped to show off the shiny red man-made ties that started to be popular in the fifties.

 

[David Conwill]

The lack of a waistcoat helped to show off the shiny red man-made ties that started to be popular in the fifties.

Interesting! Do you have any examples?

 

[herringbonekid]

The low gorge with such wide lapels seems an odd combination. Do you think there's a missing waistcoat?

sorry to be Mr. pedantic but it's the button stance that is low on that jacket, not the gorge. the gorge is actually quite high (the gorge being the corner point where the lapels and collar meet).

 

[AntonAAK]

I was just about to mention that but have been out-pedanticked.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...e-quot-gorge-quot-on-a-jacket&highlight=gorge

 

[Two Types]

Interesting! Do you have any examples?

I'll have a look through my scans etc.

 

[herringbonekid]

I was just about to mention that but have been out-pedanticked.

pedants of the world; unite and take over.

'button stance' is also know as 'button point' as evidenced by your link, or if you can't be bothered with terminology... 'the height of the buttons'.

 

[David Conwill]

No need to apologize, I appreciate the education.

 

[Guttersnipe]

sorry to be Mr. pedantic but it's the button stance that is low on that jacket, not the gorge. the gorge is actually quite high (the gorge being the corner point where the lapels and collar meet).

I'm glad you noted that. I too find it quite confusing when when folks mix up "gorge" and "button stance"

Regarding lapel width; these seem to roughly follow the 1/2 length between sleeve seam and inner edge of lapel guide. It's a little hard to tell because the jacket is mush too big for the model.

 

[Two Types]

Interesting! Do you have any examples?

Look at David Farrar's suit from about 4 minutes into this clip from 'Beat Girl', a 1959 British film. It's worth watching just to see Oliver Reed's dancing!

[video=youtube;GnigsDtAW0g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnigsDtAW0g[/video]

and here (5 min 35sec)

[video=youtube;QzpDQybWVAU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzpDQybWVAU&feature=relmfu[/video]

and Christopher Lee (1 minute & 5 minutes):

[video=youtube;zbsvbFtgmJo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbsvbFtgmJo&feature=relmfu[/video]

 

[Two Types]

Interesting! Do you have any examples?

Here are a few more, all from British films of the late 1950s/early sixties:

Terry Thomas in 'Too Many Crooks'

Ian Carmichael in 'I'm Alright Jack':

Terence Longden in 'Carry on Sergeant'

The Man in the White Suit

 

[herringbonekid]

TT, with their drapey chests, wide lapels, broad slouchy shoulders and low button those last two jackets resemble nothing less than the mid-late 40s jackets worn by US actors like Robert Mitchum and Dana Andrews in noir films of the late 40s, only about 15 years too late.

 

[herringbonekid]

edit: 'the Man in the White suit' is 1951; so not too far removed from the US version.

 

[David Conwill]

Well, it's my suit now. First time I've purchased a suit off eBay. Wish me luck!

 

[Two Types]

Which suit did you buy - the blue or the grey?

I hope you'll post some pictures once you receive it.

 

[David Conwill]

The blue. I'll try to get some pictures posted, but I think a trip to the tailor is in order first. I hate asking people to take my picture, though.

 

[David Conwill]

It showed up today. As expected, the trousers are too short, but there appears to be enough material and lack of wear to let them out an inch or two. Waist and jacket fit great.

The material is quite heavy. I'm reminded of my father and grandfather's 1950s-1960s U.S. Air Force uniforms.