Old (30s/40s) German DB suit

[Mario]

Here's a nice old German DB suit from the 1930's/40's. And while it's a nice suit it is at the same time morally somewhat dubious as it has the ADEFA tag. ADEFA stands for 'Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutsch-Arischer Fabrikanten der Bekleidungsindustrie", which translates as 'Aryan German Labour Community of the Clothing Industry'...which makes me shiver.

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[avedwards]

If it weren't for the ADEFA connotation and the fact that it's too big for me I'd go for it because it looks like a very nice suit (especially with those buttons and that fabric). I wonder whether it was usual for German DB jackets from that era to have keyhole shaped lapel buttonholes because Flo's jacket has that feature to.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Nice suit. I really like the caramel buttons on a grey jacket. Quite a strange combination. Getting lots of interest, which is good for the seller …

Surely the label is the kind of thing one had to say in 1930s Germany? Like the old catalogues where every page includes at least one, and always ended with, "Heil Hitler!". One didn't necessarily believe it, but survival meant you had to say it or leave.

bk

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Yes, German jackets often have this feature. not exclusively, but far more often than any other country, in my experience.

If it weren't for the ADEFA connotation and the fact that it's too big for me I'd go for it because it looks like a very nice suit (especially with those buttons and that fabric). I wonder whether it was usual for German DB jackets from that era to have keyhole shaped lapel buttonholes because Flo's jacket has that feature to.

 

[Mario]

Nice suit. I really like the caramel buttons on a grey jacket. Quite a strange combination.

Yes, I really like that detail. I've recently seen a photo of a wonderful 30's suit in medium gray with caramel/butterscotch colored buttons.

Surely the label is the kind of thing one had to say in 1930s Germany? Like the old catalogues where every page includes at least one, and always ended with, "Heil Hitler!". One didn't necessarily believe it, but survival meant you had to say it or leave.

Initally they weren't too successful or popular but after 1936 it was the ADEFA that forced all Jewish textile workers and tailors out of the business.

 

[avedwards]

Yes, German jackets often have this feature. not exclusively, but far more often than any other country, in my experience.

Is there any particular reason for that or was it just a regional style? It's not a detail I particularly care for as it looks too "off the rack" to me, though this may just be because many modern manufacturers use it as a cost cutting measure.

 

[PADDY]

I like it. Go for it.

 

[Mario]

I've recently seen a photo of a wonderful 30's suit in medium gray with caramel/butterscotch colored buttons.

That's the one I was referring to (of course it's from 'The 30's Style' website). My dream suit...

What lovely herringbone fabric. And those buttons...

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[Mario]

I like it. Go for it.

It's definitely not my size. Too wide in the bust and the waist and too short in the inseam. My everyday trouble...

 

[birkie]

I notice that the jacket is fully lined. Is that typical for European (or German, specifically) suits of the '30s or '40s? I only ask because I've always thought that most suit jackets made in the US up to the early '50s had quarter (skeleton?) lining.

 

[Mario]

Skeleton lining seems to be a US speciality. I've never come across any vintage Germany (or English) suit jacket that wasn't fully lined.

 

[Mario]

The inabilty to edit my posts in this thread gets me steaming...

 

[avedwards]

The inabilty to edit my posts in this thread gets me steaming...

It's not this thread but the whole "vintage finds and deals" section for some reason.

Regarding the question about lining, I believe European suits were fully lined because of the difference in climate with the USA.

 

[Mario]

The auction is over and the suit went for a pretty penny: 309 € (around $440). That makes it one of the most expensive vintage suits I've seen on the German 'Bay so far. Wonder what the ADEFA designation has to do with it...

 

[avedwards]

The auction is over and the suit went for a pretty penny: 309 € (around $440). That makes it one of the most expensive vintage suits I've seen on the German 'Bay so far. Wonder what the ADEFA designation has to do with it...

I'm glad if this is a sign that there is more interest for vintage clothes in Germany. I hope the ADEFA designation didn't contribute to the high price though otherwise it would be a shame that such a nice suit didn't go to a good home...

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

Not sure abou that. There are very few vintage suits available in germany. Shipping cost from the US are too high for a hit and miss tactic if we buy overseas. And it is a 3 piece, not just an odd jacket. I think if it fits the buyer did OK with that.


I did talk for the admin of a german vintage forum and he was often asked for german suits by wehrmacht reenactors. He didn't reply to them of course but it could be possible that it had an influence on the price of this suit too.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

PS: I was reffering to Mario's assumption

The auction is over and the suit went for a pretty penny: 309 € (around $440). That makes it one of the most expensive vintage suits I've seen on the German 'Bay so far. Wonder what the ADEFA designation has to do with it...

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I wouldn't read too much into the price re: the motives of the buyers.

For this suit: 3 piece DB. Nice pinstripes and interesting button colour. The jacket is not small, about a 40-41. The waist ont he trousers is big-ish at 36" and the inseam is quite long at 31". It is German which, though not particularly rare is scarcer than U.S. suits. All this adds up to a nice price and not unreasonable.

Incidentally, the price of an easyjet airfare to london will get you in the proximity of just such a suit for about €200. There's a shop with about 15 of them right now (or, he had them 2 weeks ago) at £185.

bk

 

[avedwards]

Incidentally, the price of an easyjet airfare to london will get you in the proximity of just such a suit for about €200. There's a shop with about 15 of them right now (or, he had them 2 weeks ago) at £185.

Could you tell me where this shop is please? I have several people to see in London so if I can get down there sometime within the next month I'd be interested in seeing that shop.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Mint Vintage, 20 Earlham Street, Seven Dials.