Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

British Workwear

highway66blues

One of the Regulars
Messages
123
Location
Rural Western Penna.
Grey back work shirt....huh.
Replaced in early 30's ...so it'd be in use in the 20's
I like.
Think the was an American version possibly ?
May have an Idea of making myself one but in cotton or maybe single color flannel...
 

Cobden

Practically Family
Messages
788
Location
Oxford, UK
I suppose the American version would have been the WWI era US military shirt. The British Army had been wearing the greyback from about 1860 until 1932 if I remember correctly, so repros for re-enactors are available.
 

Warden

One Too Many
Messages
1,336
Location
UK
I wear a repro greyback for weekend wear in the winter months, although I do have a T-shirt on under neath, too itchy otherwise. (Harry is a big softy).
 
Last edited:

Cobden

Practically Family
Messages
788
Location
Oxford, UK
Well, it's worth bearing in mind that they were intended to be worn with long underwear.

Of course, the long underwear was made of wool. And, when they greyback came, it was expected that you would wear it with a red wool tunic over the top. In South Africa. In the summer.
 

Two Types

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,456
Location
London, UK
Just in case anyone ever stumbles across one of these and wants to check details, this is a British convicts jacket from a 1930 film 'Escape'. I assume this style was in use for many years:
convictjackets4_zpsbc1d4926.jpg

convictjackets2_zps0083b0a3.jpg

convictjackets1_zps9db8b917.jpg

convictjackets5_zps2db778ce.jpg


For reference, the jacket appears to be very heavy, coarse wool and it has sloping shoulder seams. There appears to be lines of stitching on either side at the front which is similar to on 'hospital blues' (if I remember correctly) since there is a large fold back to strengthen the front buttoning area since the jacket is probably unlined.

also maybe of interest to some, studded belt worn by farm labourer:
studdedbelt_zpsdd991ac9.jpg
 

esteban68

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,107
Location
Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England
Good photos TT, the studded belt is an interesting item...I'd have said funfair or circus worker but then again given the liking for horse brasses and horse leather work I guess it's a logical thing to happen for a farm labourer to have such a belt.
 

esteban68

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,107
Location
Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England
here's a pictures of my great grandfather and his 'gang' of building mates c 1920
2qt8sjl.jpg

apologies for the picture as it's not the best, I'll have to see if I can improve on the quality.
and another picture of a working class relative again c1920-ish not sure who it is but possibly my great uncle
2ivb814.jpg
 
Last edited:

Two Types

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,456
Location
London, UK
I was also trying to work that out: It looks like a military base but they don't appear to be wearing uniform. And a couple of them are wearing Wellington boots, suggesting they work outdoors.

If i had to guess, i'd say a forestry working camp. I believe a number of these were based in former military bases post WW2. And they also, if my memory serves me correctly, took on lots of former military personnel, including being a recommended work place for former POWs who were struggling to settle down post-war.

The fact that there are 11 of them immediately made me think they are a works football team.
 

esteban68

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,107
Location
Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England
great photo HBK, I think football team is likely too though a pretty much mixed bunch, the blonde guy look to have done a few bouts in the ring!"...re POW's a couple do have a 'Germanic' look to them and possibly a couple of 'Italian' chaps too??? I guess we'll never know but what a good shot...why don't people write on the back of these old pictures!

one appears to have a badge on his jerseys left sleeve?
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,082
Location
London, UK
An interesting double breasted work jacket seen in the film 'Violent Playground':

workjacket_zpscac82b8f.jpg

I had a very similar shopcoat at my student job back in the mid 90s; it's probably still hanging in my parents' house somewhere. Mine was single-breasted, though - I've never seen a db before.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
109,303
Messages
3,078,334
Members
54,244
Latest member
seeldoger47
Top