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1930s German Sport Suit w/ knickers

Hyena Stomp

One of the Regulars
Messages
151
Location
Rhode Island
It's funny, I put in a bid, was automatically outbid and the guy with the highest bid put in another max bid. He either really wants it or has control issues.
 

Rudie

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,069
Location
Berlin
I would rip out the tag and then wear it.

A suit like this in bad condition and for a small price would be perfect to take to a tailor for copying. Why is this suit for sale again and again? I wouldn't shell out this kind of money for a suit that doesn't fit.
 

Fastuni

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Messages
2,277
Location
Germany
I won't shun a garment just because it has the label. But I don't fetishize it and don't value it more highly than any other period clothing.

And one shouldn't think that garments without this label are not connected to the political background of this period.

One has to keep in mind: Jews were a very significant part of German textile industry, trade and retail - also many tailor business were Jewish... after 1933 they were forced out and their business "aryanized".

Just one example: the "Grumach Brothers" was one of the largest textile wholesale business in greater Berlin. Their stuff (including suits, shirts, ties, hats etc.) was sold by countless retailers in and around Berlin - often even not tagged as "Grumach". The Grumachs were Jews, and in November 1938 their business was expropriated and became the German-owned "Woltex".
One of the Grumach brothers, Max, originally a lawyer who entered the family business in 1933 after being evicted from his original job, committed suicide in November 1938 by throwing himself in front of a Berlin subway.

Then there is the whole issue of articles produced by forced labor during wartime... or stuff sold by department stores that were "aryanized". Etc. etc.

Of course the ADEFA tag has a specific blatant symbolism - I understand if some people don't want to wear it.
 

Fastuni

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Messages
2,277
Location
Germany
I think to recall that it was originally described to be a bit larger... probably it turned out to be smaller than expected.
 

Flat Foot Floey

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,220
Location
Germany
I live in germany and it's just part of the whole package when you collect 30s. For example: A book about photography can have a foreword by Hitler or one of his ministers. It's a sign of it's time. At least it helps dating. The adefa tag is the german NRA eagle or British cc41.

While I like to imagine a semifictional jeeves and Wooster setting I never really forget it wasn't that way here. It keeps us down to earth and sometimes makes us go serious when others like to joke around. For example I find military reenactment very dubious. Until a group has proven they are 100% correct I don't trust them
 

herringbonekid

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,016
Location
East Sussex, England
One has to keep in mind: Jews were a very significant part of German textile industry, trade and retail - also many tailor business were Jewish... after 1933 they were forced out and their business "aryanized".

i imagine there's a lot of Germans who wouldn't feel comfortable about wearing any clothing of the 30s-40s because of associations with the bad-politics of the time.
 

Big J

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Messages
2,961
Location
Japan
i imagine there's a lot of Germans who wouldn't feel comfortable about wearing any clothing of the 30s-40s because of associations with the bad-politics of the time.

I wouldn't be surprised if you're right.
After all, part of the appeal of wearing A-2 jackets for me, is the symbolism of the victorious struggle AGAINST international fascism. Quite literally, the good war.
As I have to remind my wife's (Japanese) family, they wouldn't be enjoying the quality of life they are today if Japan had actually won the war.
 

Fastuni

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Messages
2,277
Location
Germany
A-2 jackets, as any uniform or military item, of course has a much stronger, specific political/historical symbolism.

Civilian clothes are neutral - if one is fair and objective about it.
Occasionally in Germany (if people are even able to recognize the period of the clothing) 30-40's clothing is associated with the political context of the time.
One has to have good arguments... but I never had a problem.
Most convincing is to point to the fact that civilian clothing was international and worn by opponents, victims and supporters of fascism alike.
 

Two Types

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,456
Location
London, UK
I find military reenactment very dubious.

Absolutely. I can honestly say I like Germany and the Germans ... but I don't want to stand in a bar surrounded by Germans dressed in SS uniforms, even if their guns are replicas. I've done it once, and I don't ever want to do it again!!!

(The fact that one them appeared to be dressed in an SS dentist's uniform didn't make the situation any better - he was still aiming his 'toy' gun at a lifesize cardboard cut out of Barack Obama. Scary people!!)
 

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