1939 Suit

• Aug 20, 2012

• #1

Two Types

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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUPERB-GENUINE-VINTAGE-1930s-40s-BESPOKE-SUIT-38-/380463584123?pt=UK_Men_s_Suits_Tailoring&hash=item589565937b

I must admi,t when I first saw this suit I was really surprised about the narrowness of the lapels. To me it just did not look like a 1930s suit. And it's not that common (in my limited experience) to see a zip fly on a British 1930s suit. However, the label proved me wrong:

You learn something every day!

 

• Aug 20, 2012

• #2

herringbonekid

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those lapels may well have been narrowed by a tailor in the 60s. there was another suit recently (on US ebay) that looked like it had the same thing done.

 

• Aug 20, 2012

• #3

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yes, I wondered whether the lapels had been taken in. And there is a small kink in the lapel. However, looking at the precision of the stripes, i didn't think that. Also, the angle of the line of where the two pieces of the lapel join (sorry but i don't know the technical term) seems to suggest to me that it was constructed at that width.

Also if the suit had been altered to fit a late 1950s/1960s aesthetic, i would expect the trousers to have been taken in. Instead, they measure 10 inches across at the cuffs. By the time lapels were that narrow, trousers had also got much narrower. But the trousers are still at the full 1930s width.

Maybe it's just an enigma. I'd be interested to hear other people's views.

 

• Aug 20, 2012

• #4

Ben Stephens

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It his hard to say conclusively, but the fact it is missing a button hole on the lapel, I would say the lapels may well have been altered at some time. A good day tailor would be able to do a very neat job of this, I am not sure of a Lesser tailor

 

• Aug 20, 2012

• #5

Ben Stephens

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It his hard to say conclusively, but the fact it is missing a button hole on the lapel, I would say the lapels may well have been altered at some time. A good tailor would be able to do a very neat job of this, I am not sure of a Lesser tailor

 

• Aug 20, 2012

• #6

Flat Foot Floey

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Two Types said:

the line of where the two pieces of the lapel join (sorry but i don't know the technical term) seems to suggest to me that it was constructed at that width.

Click to expand...

I think this is the gorge line. I have read it in the FL lounge somewhere. The term "gorge" is often mistaken with the button stance (the V) and it drives some members nuts

 

• Aug 20, 2012

• #7

herringbonekid

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Flat Foot Floey said:

I think this is the gorge line.

Click to expand...

yes; gorge line.
Ben, well spotted on the missing buttonhole.

 

• Aug 20, 2012

• #8

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The more I look at it, the more I agree with the assessment that the lapel has been narrowed.

I would also raise the question regarding the buttonhole: If it had originally been a notch lapel I think it would have had to be very wide for there to be no sign of the buttonhole on what remains of the lapel. Thus, I wonder, was it originally a peaked lapel?

 

• Aug 21, 2012

• #9

mkd

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The buttons seem to be a bit low.

 

• Aug 21, 2012

• #10

Baron Kurtz

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Interesting about the zipper. I'd like to see the model, if it is a lightning from 1938 or so, it would be a work of art.