Fabric content?

[Wild Root]

Ok, that sounds better. Cotton lining is what you are seeing. About the pants, my double breasted suit I mentioned has the same thing going on! Shiny seat! This is caused by normal wear. I’m sure that the pants became shiny within the first few months the first owner had it. Wool can get shiny depending of the weave. With this type of weave of wool surge it gets shiny very easy. So, it’s thin in that area as well? Well, I’m not surprised. This is common in most vintage I find. That is one of the most stressful parts of a pair of pants. Will it rip? Yes it will if you’re not careful. The way to avoid ripping is to wear the suit once in a wile and not to over stress it by bending over wile dipping a girl wile dancing. I made that mistake once. I once dipped my partner wile wearing a favorite pair of 1940’s Gabardine pants. Rip! There went that pair!

The double breasted suit I told you about has the same shiny pants that are some what thin in the seat. I have had that suit since 1999 or so and it has not given me any problems. I wear it to a dance here and there, maybe dinner with friends and such. Other then that, it hangs in my closet with the others in my collection. One way of prolonging its life is to only dry clean it once in a wile. Dry cleaning will wear down the strength of the fabric just a little at a time. Not much too do really any harm, but after time it will weaken it and then it’s done. I hardly ever dry clean any thing of mine unless it gets a stain or some real dirt. Then, I’ll have it cleaned! Other then that, I don’t clean my vintage. I know what some of you may think; eeew Root wears old dirty vintage. Not so. All my suits and such have been cleaned from one time to another, but I don’t go out and have them cleaned right after I wear them once. Must make them last!

Any other questions are more then welcome!

Root.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Used to be men would have their suits sponged off and pressed now and again, and then get their suits cleaned about twice a year... at least that is what some of the stories I have read tell.

I suggest the same though drycleaners don't really like to just press anything or spunge it nowadays.

Another option that is modern for wool suits and silks is a cleaning process called wet-cleaning.

Check it out.
http://www.calgold.com/green/Default.asp?Series=100&Show=717

 

[Mr. Rover]

I was reading an article like 6 months ago about a new dry cleaning system using liquid CO2 (carbon dioxide) and it doesn't harm the clothes at all and doesn't leave any industrial wastes. Is this what wet cleaning is?

 

[AlanC]

Unless you have real dirt to get out I wouldn't dry clean, although often thrift store goods will need an initial cleaning (but not always!). Make sure you have a good hanger. I really like these from Walgreens (3/$10), nice wood and big wide shoulders to keep the right shape in the jacket.

Make sure you let the suit rest on the hanger out of the closet at least overnight before you put it back in the closet. Get a steamer! I've become a complete convert since I got mine. You'll be amazed at the wrinkles and creases that will relax right out with some steam. Steam's a lot better than dry cleaning and pressing. It's great for thrift store finds, including ties. Finally, I keep my suits in suit bags I get at Walmart for about $3 each. They're plastic on the front, but breathable on the back (important!). They keep out moths but allow air to flow. They're great to use as a garment bag when car traveling, too (wouldn't work on a plane).

 

[Wild Root]

Steamers are great! I just don't have the cash for one right now. I would like to buy a used one if any one wanted to sell. But, since they are so cool there are no used ones around for sell.

Yes, when I get a new vintage pair of pants or shirt, I will have them cleaned if I find it at a thrift shop. Vintage shops tend to clean their stock before it goes out on the racks.

I hang my suits and shirts on vintage 1930's and 40's wood hangers. I have found many of them at Estate sells and such. Some have the original label of the department store they were sold at! I have a few from the LA area. Hanging history on history is way cool!

Any way, all the best!

Root.

 

[Mr. Rover]

I think after I get it altered, I need to get it dry cleaned once. There are alot of smudges.I think one time wouldn't be too bad.

 

[AlanC]

Yes, if you see visible dirt, smudges, etc. you should have it cleaned.

I got my steamer slightly used off ebay for about $30 shipped (still in original box). It's a Conair. There are bigger, nicer steamers, but it fit my budget and really does all I need it to right now. I might average using it 2-3 times per month. I try to steam several things at once when I fire it up.

Very nice about the vintage hangers. What I'd love to find are some vintage wooden shoe trees. I bought some old Florsheim ones off ebay that were listed as my size, but they were simply too big. I would have done damage to the shoes if I'd jammed them in there. I ended up giving them to a friend of mine who enjoys clothes, too.

 

[Wild Root]

vintage wooden shoe trees...

Yeah, I have a few pairs of these that keep my prized pairs of 1940's two tones nice. I have I think three pairs? Yeah, three! I love them and they look so cool in my vintage shoes.

Cool stuff for sure.

Root.

 

[Mr. Rover]

I think I have a few big suit hangers, but they're plastic, not wood.

 

[Mr. Rover]

Dated 1944?

I just reached into the back pocket of the pants, and found a dime minted in 1944. The head on it is Hermes, like the head on American Express ads. This give me a bit of an idea of when this suit was made, considering it isn't dated as of anyhere I've looked in it. When did dimes stop being minted in that style?
(picture taken from wildroot's fotki album )

 

[Wild Root]

those are known as Mercury Dimes. They stoped having Mercury dimes about 1952 or so. Well, now you know that suit was made before the war. Seeing it's a three piece. Like I said, it could be from about 1939 to 1941 or so. And another thing about those dimes, they're made of real silver! Hang on to it my friend!

Root.