1940s/1950s 3-piece pinstripe suit

[Two Types]

It's difficult to tell much about this suit since it has not been photographed in a manner to really show the details. However, they have shown the label which certainly looks to me like it is from the claimed period:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DEMOB-SUIT-GENUINE-FABULOUS-THREE-PIECE-ORIGINAL-1940s-50s-PIN-STIRP-SUIT-99p-/230845438589?pt=UK_Men_s_Suits_Tailoring&hash=item35bf75da7d

They are starting bids from the nice low price of £0.99

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Yep, that's a demob label. The rare, true demob suit. Not just a CC41 suit claimed as demob. This is the real deal. Somewhere it'll have a green label, too.

bk

 

[Baron Kurtz]

NOTE: the quality of manufacture of this suit will be awful. Just dreadful. Certainly worse than anything from the high street today, in my experience. The only thing going for demob suits is the weight of the fabric.

 

[Two Types]

That's what i come here for. Now i know the difference between a normal suit of the period and a genuine demob. Cheers.

As for the quality, it's difficult to tell from pictures but the buttons certainly do look cheap.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I pick them up because I know they're collectable and I can sell them on to the re-enactor crowd, but I would never look to keep one for myself. AWFUL! Not, of course, that I find so many of them.

Green labels:

Jacket

Trousers Pocket

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I should say that while demob suits are not so rare, to fin them with the labels intact is relatively so, and sought after by re-enactor types.

bk

 

[GoldenEraFan]

I've heard about the Demob and CC41 suits a lot here on Fedora lounge, and now I'm curious to know more about them. What's their story?

 

[Guttersnipe]

Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but "Demob" = "Demobilization" in what the Brits call English.

These suits were issued -- like uniforms -- to British military personnel as they were discharged at the end of WWII. As such, they were very cheap. Basically they were suposed to make discharged servicemen look presentable for job interviews and the like. My understanding is, owing to the grim economic situation prior to the war and length of Great Britain's involvement in the war, mant, many servicemen had literally no clothes save the uniforms they'd been issues.

I've heard they were notoriously shoddy, but this one is a stellar example. I can seen quality issues just fro the pictures in this thread. Note how the fabric dimples in at the buttonhole stitching, causing a odd budging around the buttons. I can think of a few things that would cause this: uneven shrinkage of the suiting and interfacing; excessively thick fussed canvassing; overly wide buttonhole stitching width causing the fabric to stretch . . .

 

[countryclubjoe]

is the hat included? LoL

Learning alot here folks.

Best regards
CCJ

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Interestingly the demob hats are actually tolerable. They were, however, terribly out of fashion - low crowned and narrow brimmed in 1946-47 just as the bold look was getting going. Some might say the hats were ten years ahead of their time. They were Amies designed, after all. (I believe)

 

[herringbonekid]

i had a demob suit a few years ago which was too small for me and sold to a Japanese buyer.
there was absolutely nothing wrong with the finish at all. it was comparable to a Burton's finish; which is tough and made to last.

 

[herringbonekid]

I can think of a few things that would cause this: uneven shrinkage of the suiting and interfacing; excessively thick fussed canvassing; overly wide buttonhole stitching width causing the fabric to stretch . . .

you won't find 'fused' canvas in a suit of that age.

 

[Guttersnipe]

Hmmm...I have seen references to glued jacket canvassing in first hand period sources.

 

[Nick D]

it was comparable to a Burton's finish; which is tough and made to last.

7

Didn't Burton's make about 1/3 of Demob suits?

 

[herringbonekid]

Didn't Burton's make about 1/3 of Demob suits?

Nick, i've heard similar quotes, but it's confusing; did Burtons make 'demob' suits that were unlabelled as Burton's ? (the suit i was referring to had no maker's label) ... or are people really referring to Burtons CC41 labelled suits and just calling them 'demob' ? people often mix the terms up.

 

[herringbonekid]

Hmmm...I have seen references to glued jacket canvassing in first hand period sources.

if you can scan any please post in the vintage tailoring thread and it might kick off a discussion. i've never seen evidence of, or read about fusing being used in 'golden era' tailoring (20s-50s) but i'd be happy to learn otherwise.

 

[Ben Stephens]

If I still have it, it was a Burtons advert from 1994, for the D-day 50th. It quoted a figure for the de-mob suits it made, and how proud it was to have supported the returning soldiers. If I do have it, it will be at Mum and Dads house (I was only 13 at the time, but it interested me then!)

Kindest regards

Ben

 

[Guttersnipe]

if you can scan any please post in the vintage tailoring thread and it might kick off a discussion. i've never seen evidence of, or read about fusing being used in 'golden era' tailoring (20s-50s) but i'd be happy to learn otherwise.

I believe that I have a scan. I'll try and post it this weekend. My understanding is it was the feature of the most low grade, ultra cheap suits (were talking what was given to ex-cons when paroled from prison...to go along with their cardboard suitcase ).

 

[Guttersnipe]

*we're, not were.

Also, of memory serves, there is a reference to "recycled wool" being used also.

 

[herringbonekid]

£205.