the search for serge

[dit dah]

no not Monsieur Gainsburg, but the worsted twill fabric used in the uniforms of yesteryear.

I know there are mills in West Yorkshire, England, where it is still made to a vintage spec but I don't know who they are.

Does anyone, anywhere, know where one might purchase a few yards of said yarnage in order to have fashioned a suitable suit or two?

Navy blue, of course, and chocolate brown.

 

[BellyTank]

Hello.
Excellent question, please ask another.

Creeping, Johnson..?


B
T

 

[Creeping Past]

Serge yardage has me stumped.

I've found a note in my archive about fabric ref: ST220 in the Robtex book (Who knows what date? Or where you'll source it.) It's a 17/18 oz mid-blue that's a bit lighter than your military serge but would be hard wearing. There may be a darker Robtex one. See if your friendly local tailor can help.

You can get some ready-made RN serge trou's here. I had a pair delivered this morning. They're a good fit and stout as anything.

 

[Tomasso]

Try Smith and Co (020 7437 6226).

 

[dit dah]

Thanks chaps.

I'd spotted those RN numbers during my search but good to hear that they fit well, thanks.

I'll try Smith & Co.

I know that grumpy pseudo vintage garb makers "Old Town" have serge made for them in Yorkshire but the chances of them telling me where seem to be nil.

They are the polar opposite of Aero and subscribe to the Basil Fawlty school of customer care.

 

[H.Johnson]

I know people who have bought New Pattern greatcoats and turned them successfully into convincing WW2 suits. Obviously, for blue you'd need the RAF coat. I understand that you can get a 3 piece suit out of 2 greatcoats, total cost in a shop 40GBP.

no not Monsieur Gainsburg, but the worsted twill fabric used in the uniforms of yesteryear.

I know there are mills in West Yorkshire, England, where it is still made to a vintage spec but I don't know who they are.

Does anyone, anywhere, know where one might purchase a few yards of said yarnage in order to have fashioned a suitable suit or two?

Navy blue, of course, and chocolate brown.

 

[dit dah]

Now that is certainly food for thought. This had crossed my mind but I'd assumed that the various seams etc in the coats would prevent this. I presume some judicious recutting and shaping is required, not to mention a dash of patience and broadmindedness .

I can only image the tailors face if I turn up with an armful of coats. Do you have any more details of this as it's a damn fine idea?

 

[Creeping Past]

Thanks chaps.

I know that grumpy pseudo vintage garb makers "Old Town" have serge made for them in Yorkshire but the chances of them telling me where seem to be nil.

They are the polar opposite of Aero and subscribe to the Basil Fawlty school of customer care.

I found them welcoming, friendly and helpful when visiting and ordering recently.

I know people who have bought New Pattern greatcoats and turned them successfully into convincing WW2 suits.

Were they also making copies of official documents using potato prints?

 

[H.Johnson]

Strangely enough, that is exactly where they got the idea from. It was common practice to make a civilian suit from greatcoats in POW camps, as reported in books of that genre.

It will be easier with postwar RAF coats as the backs have bigger panels.

 

[Serge]

your

search is over...:eusa_doh:

 

[dit dah]

Are, there you are.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Not sure yet about the serge, though I do have the Elastique and the wool for officer shirting.