Just popping in to see if anyone had read the book and what they thought of it.
Gene - I see what you mean about the captions on the price tags; one is missing, others are mixed up. Please consider that putting together a book with 50k words and over 600 pictures and captions was a very...
Union labels are one of the easiest things to find and date in a suit, whether they be UGWA, ACWA, or ACTWU and can usually get you within a decade or so. Makers labels can also be dated by their style and information and some menswear labels are even available at the Vintage Fashion Guide...
Hatters Union labels
Yes, I know it is not the whole story, but it can be a starting place for dating.
Just like ACWA labels in mens suits can easily provide a dating range to start from and end with, I think the hatters union labels can also provide info.
btw - I cracked the dating code...
Union Labels in Hats ...
I am currently writing a book on dating vintage menswear and in the section on hats I have most of the Cap and Hatters Unions listed and their years, but only 2 examples. (Unfortunately, I'm not a hat person.)
If anyone would like to put up some pictures of hatters...
I found the info in this thread to be most interesting.
I am working on an (American) suit dating guide / book and find that the easiest dating is with the ACWA (union) label; luckily I was able to crack the dating code for the 1949 series labels. Of course some dating clues are obvious...
To dye or not to dye?
I have tried overdying a couple of dresses without success; The faded areas take the dye at the same rate as the unfaded areas and still remain lighter. And if the thread is not the same material as the fabric in the dress, it will not dye the same, and sometimes not...
NRA labels
The NRA label was used only from 1933 -35 in the USA and was used on clothing and printed goods like patterns & magazines.
The National Recovery Board Label was used from 1933 -42.
The NRB Coat & Suit Industry Label was used from the late 30's until about 1964 on Union Made...
dating coat
That International Woolmark on the label dates your coat to after 1964. I'd say its really more 70's when fashion did a lot of retro looks and styling. Sorry its not as old as you hoped.
Suit is from the 70's but really captures a vintage Norfolk / English Hunting Suit. Navy wool tweed fabric, 4" lapels, 3 button closure, faux vertical & waist banding, large patch pockets, 1/3 back lining, uncuffed flat-front pants.
Jacket measures 17.5" across the shoulders, 43 chest, 35...
Back to zippers
I was speaking in generalities on what I said about the jacket linings, and the most of what I have is Union Made, not Custom Tailored.
As for zippers: Paraphrased from The Esquire Book of Mens Fashion History -
It was not until the 1930's that the fastener with two sides...
A little help
I agree that the first suit is 60's.
As for the blue suit: metal zip would more than likely be post WWII; lapels were all widths in all decades; but the dating clincher for me is the shoulder lining. 1/3 back linings began in the early 50's; before that were the little...
Be yourself
You've got to be yourself whether its a first date or fourteenth. I think your idea of a beaded cardigan with an A-line skirt is great for any venue: coffee, movies, dinner, etc.
Just remember: It's really hard to be overdressed for an occasion, but easy to be underdressed and...
True Hollywood pants
I don't think there's any significance to the numbers. I've seen them in lots of vintage suits.
And, just to clear things up: True Hollywood pants have a seamless waistband, not a sewn on one, with narrow dropped belt loops. The ones you are showing are just dropped...
Again
Sorry, 30's. Still needs a more fitted waist especially without the padded shoulders. Unless you were trying for 1931 - which I really don't think you were.
And you need to look at yourself in the back shot; The pants look like they fit / hang really funny / unusual, like they're...
I think you missed it
Sorry, but I'm just not seeing the overall style and panache of the forties in your new suit. Frankly, it just looks like a new suit. Maybe because you had the V look removed?
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