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Vintage Outerwear: Threads of the Past

tmitchell59

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,464
Location
Illinois
One outta 2 ain’t bad for these beauties.
The smaller one will be going, it is also the oldest of the two, c.1938. The older gentleman is finely made and remains in fine condition. This was a popular style for the company, they had variations on this theme. I also have this style in a beautiful calf skin. The darker jacket is much simpler tailored from c.1945,46 with a zipper of that period, much plainer back construction.

Both are wearable.

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Observe

Practically Family
Messages
990
What is with the -Togs affix which appears on vintage clothing brands? I've seen Leather Togs, Rain Togs a couple posts up, and another Tog which currently escapes me. Anyone able to provide more info?

Edit: I googled it and it means clothes. Probably should have done that before asking, lol. I've just never heard the word before.

The question now, at the risk of derailing the thread, is why has the word seemingly fallen out of use?
 

Corky Corcovado

Practically Family
Messages
811

tmitchell59

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,464
Location
Illinois
What is with the -Togs affix which appears on vintage clothing brands? I've seen Leather Togs, Rain Togs a couple posts up, and another Tog which currently escapes me. Anyone able to provide more info?

Edit: I googled it and it means clothes. Probably should have done that before asking, lol. I've just never heard the word before.

The question now, at the risk of derailing the thread, is why has the word seemingly fallen out of use?
It is an older term that was very popular in the 30s/40s. Probably became too "old fashioned"
 

tmitchell59

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,464
Location
Illinois
I' spotted two identical jackets but with different tags.

I imagine California Sportswear was contracted to create the same jacket for Sears brand Hercules?

Just thought id share! :)



California Sportswear

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Hercules

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Excellent example of CSC making jackets for Sears this relationship goes back to the 1930s. These jackets c.1949.
 
Messages
17,106
Location
Chicago
I have fixed everything. Pocket welt, loose HB strap, polished the leather and hardware. This one is an absolute heartbreaker. Definitely a Hercules, hardware is absolutely mint. I don’t how you do it Terry. When I have one like this that doesn’t fit it makes me furiously angry. Jacket feels 50 years younger than when I opened the box. The temptation to have Dena lengthen the sleeves is strong but probably not worth it.
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Yamahana

Practically Family
Messages
992
Location
Buckeye, Arizona
I have fixed everything. Pocket welt, loose HB strap, polished the leather and hardware. This one is an absolute heartbreaker. Definitely a Hercules, hardware is absolutely mint. I don’t how you do it Terry. When I have one like this that doesn’t fit it makes me furiously angry. Jacket feels 50 years younger than when I opened the box. The temptation to have Dena lengthen the sleeves is strong but probably not worth it.
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Fantastic resurrection there Ton. I feel your pain, I’m with you when one of these vintage gems don’t quite fit. It was already relined, you brought it back from the dead, one of the best pocket designs, no more than you’ve got in it $$$ I’d send it to Dena to lengthen the sleeves.
 
Messages
17,106
Location
Chicago
Fantastic resurrection there Ton. I feel your pain, I’m with you when one of these vintage gems don’t quite fit. It was already relined, you brought it back from the dead, one of the best pocket designs, no more than you’ve got in it $$$ I’d send it to Dena to lengthen the sleeves.
Liner is perfect. Brand new. I found that odd b/c there were issues that would’ve been far easier to fix without the liner in it. It did have a seam separation in the pit which helped me fix the above and then arch this small hole.
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Will Zach

I'll Lock Up
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4,415
Location
SoFlo
I have been trying to find info about the Spiegel HH MC jacket. Spiegel was a catalog company https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiegel_(US_retailer), along with Sears, Montgomery Ward and others. I managed to go through a few Spiegel catalogs (http://www.wishbookweb.com/FB/1955_Spiegel_Christmas_Catalog/files/assets/basic-html/page-1.html#) but could not find this jacket:

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I now found an image of a page from Alden's 1950s catalog with very similar jackets - collar geometry slightly different, belt and front sleeve zips (slightly shorter). These could be differences specified by the respective catalog houses.

Do you think same maker made these jackets for Spiegel and Alden's?

Aldens Spiegel.jpg
 
Last edited:
Messages
17,106
Location
Chicago
I have been trying to find info about the Spiegel HH MC jacket. Spiegel was a catalog company https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiegel_(US_retailer), along with Sears, Montgomery Ward and others. I managed to go through a few Spiegel catalogs (http://www.wishbookweb.com/FB/1955_Spiegel_Christmas_Catalog/files/assets/basic-html/page-1.html#) but could not find this jacket:

View attachment 486264

I now found an image of a page from Alden's 1950s catalog with very similar jackets - collar geometry slightly different, belt and front sleeve zips (slightly shorter). These could be differences specified by the respective catalog houses.

Do you think same maker made these jackets for Spiegel and Alden's?

View attachment 486265
Could well be though the the collar and lapel both have snaps in the catalog shot. That said they do appear identical in every other respect. I think it’s safe to assume yes but there is still that little bit of mystery lingering.
 

mullitt

Familiar Face
Messages
94
Added two jackets to my collection this week.
First, this Windward:
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Great condition. Was dried out when I got it, and the leather was thirsty. I treated it with Obenaufs and it looks good now.
Also got this Monarch:
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Leather’s good on this one, but needs to be treated. The cuffs and waistband are disintegrating. Need to decide what I want to do with it. Couldn’t pass it up though, it was only $50.
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tmitchell59

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,464
Location
Illinois
Two nice buys! Congratulations!

I've owned a couple of these style Windwards, both were fine quality heavy horsehide. This style was also used by Aldens, and JC Penney, but different makers.

This is one jacket I wish I could have worn, never seen another like it. All The Windwards I have seen have been brown, some also had the detachable collar, some had a fixed fur collar.

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