(Sharper pics) EXTREME SUIT MAKEOVER

[Marc Chevalier]

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I love to take old suits and restore them to their former glory.

Here's one I just picked up: a double-breasted, belted back suit from the 1930s, with a windowpane pattern. (See link below.) One of the previous owners moved the jacket's buttons and widened the trouser's waistline in order to accomodate his girth. Moths had some fun with it, too. And it needs a good drycleaning.

So here's what I'm gonna do. My wife, who is going to visit Santiago, Chile next week, will take the suit with her. There's a Japanese reweaver in Santiago who does incredible work at a very reasonable price: he'll make those moth holes disappear. When my wife returns with the suit repaired, I'll take it to the "French Hand Laundry" in Pasadena. They're experts at cleaning vintage fabrics. Finally, I'll move the jacket's buttons back to their original, correct positions; I'll also take the trousers in at the waist. Result? A fine suit that will be appreciated anew. And here it is, BEFORE the planned makeover:


http://www.thefedoralounge.net/showpost.php?p=96733&postcount=10

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-20s-30s...398744256QQcategoryZ52383QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


When the makeover is complete, I'll post "after" photos here.


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[shindeco]

Can't wait to see the "after" pictures! It's going to be one fine suit!

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Cool. Looks like a fun project and well worth it.

Now is this the suit you thought might appear clownish? Doesn't look clownish at all, but rather very conservative.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Nope, it's a different suit.


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[Grimstar]

That looks like it was, at one time, a very nice suit...and I'm sure you will make it one again. But whoever let those trousers out at the waist did a really bad job of it, hopefully you'll be able to remove all of that. I do love the material...I wish I could find more fabrics like that!

 

[Matt Deckard]

Can't wait to see the outcome. Looks like it going to take alot of work, though if it can be restored it's worth the time and money to take it back to how it was.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

But whoever let those trousers out at the waist did a really bad job of it, hopefully you'll be able to remove all of that.

My waist size is 33, so I should be able to remove that weird patchwork job from the trouser seat, and take the whole thing in. I'm pretty sure that the trousers were originally a size 34. Right now, they're a 40!


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[Marc Chevalier]

Looks like it going to take alot of work ...

I'll have to find all the moth holes; that will take some work. And there's always the risk that the stains won't come out. But I'm pretty sure they will.

 

[Grimstar]

My waist size is 33, so I should be able to remove that weird patchwork job from the trouser seat, and take the whole thing in. I'm pretty sure that the trousers were originally a size 34. Right now, they're a 40!


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yep...from the sellers description, it sounds like they were originally a 32 or 34, so you should be able to put them right back where they belong I look forward to seeing it restored to it's former glory!

 

[Marc Chevalier]

In case the photos disappear from eBay (as they sometimes do), here they are. I've sharpened them up a bit with Photoshop.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

 

[Briscoeteque]

The buttons are unique, their close stance reminds me of a Jazz suit, same thing with the lapels. Really cool piece. I know it'll be restored to its glory.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

The buttons are bakelite; their color is best described as "caramel". I'm pretty sure that they're original to the suit, but I don't like them much.

Interestingly, the close stance of the jacket's buttons is not original to this suit. A previous owner gained weight, and moved the buttons in order to make the jacket fit him better. I'm going to move the buttons back to their original places.


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[Baron Kurtz]

Whew that's quite a bit of reweaving in the back.

good luck

bk

 

[Marc Chevalier]

If you ever find yourself in Santiago, Chile, go to the "Japanese Reweavers". That business has been around for over 50 years. I'm telling you, they work wonders.

 

[scotrace]

Bellicose Tankus

BT - are you thinking what I'm thinking about this here-now suit but?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Huh? (I don't get it.)

If you're thinking that I intend to resell it on eBay, the answer is "nope". I wear a size 39-40R, and this suit will fit me just right. I suspect that its original size was a 40 L. I wouldn't resell the suit until I'd enjoyed it for several years at least. Would you like me to put you chaps on the waiting list?

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[Marc Chevalier]

Look familiar?

Slow-dancing lindyhoppers at the Savoy Ballroom in N.Y.C., 1942.

 

[scotrace]

Not a bum I am familiar with...

I applaud your ability to look at an object like that and see it's potential. I see only the holes, the schmutz. You are good!

btw: I'm a 46R.

 

[herringbonekid]

Marc do you know how 're-weaving' is done ?
do they have to cut a small patch of the fabric from a bit of spare seam and blend it in ?
or do they pick threads that match and build it from scratch ?

we have 'invisible menders' in england but they are very pricey...about £30 a hole.

i have my own method of dealing with small moth holes that involves the use of wundaweb. i'm an artist with that stuff, you should see me.