1940s men's shirt - half placket query

Newshoes

Newshoes

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Hi all,

Query about a man's shirt - why would a shirt from the 1940s have a half placket (running to about the waist)? Guessing it's something to do with making it easier to be tucked in? Surely removing a shirt over your head is more annoying?!

In a similar vein, why were men's shirts so long? Even once they're tucked in there seems to be a huge amount of fabric!

Thanks in advance!
 
It could be a fabric saving measure - similar to half linings during WWII. Also 1940's trousers were worn a lot higher than later decades.
Is it a zip or button placket? and where is it located?
 
You VERY likely have a work shirt. There should be some good examples around the interwebs of French work shirts that look similar to what you describe. I have a couple 1930s German examples here...great pieces of vintage workwear. Would love to see your shirt if you have a pic.

Yes...tails long to stay tucked in while working.
 
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Here is an earlier example. This one is gorgeous...belongs to a friend.
 

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Hi,

I was thinking along the same lines as Maureen. I have a mid to late 1940s shirt similar to the ones Maureen shows, but mine has no defined collar and no collar buttons. I was told by the wife of the original owner (who was a German immigrant after the WWII) that the blue stripes denote that it was specifically a German fisherman's shirt. Longer tails to keep it tucked in and cover your tush for needed extra warmth on the seas. I wear mine a lot and I love it. And yes it looks much like a French work shirt too.
 
Thanks all for the info, much appreciated. Here's a pic of the shirt, it's also CC41. (Excuse the creases!)
 

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Hm, not sure - it's sold by collar size, and doesn't resemble any other the other CC41 nightwear we have - here's the label.
 

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Thanks, the label reveals a bit more - have you got Mike Brown's CC41 Utility book? I'm not sure on the year but I think it says in there that the X in the numbers was introduced late in the CC41 scheme (1948?) as a more expensive range you could buy, costing more in the way of coupons/money. He calls it 'super utility' There might be an example in there too, it's quite extensive.
 
I have yet to read Mike Brown's book, but I am wary of some of his claims without knowing his research cites. I know he doesn't like the explanation for CC41 standing for Controlled Commodity, but that came from a September 1941 news clipping, which is pretty solid period reference.
 
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I have read it Jonathan but I agree with you, the whole thing has to be taken with a pinch of salt. I read most of it as suggestive, rather than fact. I like some of the suggestions but not all. Some suggestions come with more hard evidence than others.
 
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