1940s menswear suit re-worked as a womens’ suit?

So, I’m not sure where this suit came from, or if refashioning a mens’ suit for a woman was indeed a thing in years past. I found this suit in a Kansas City thrift shop years ago, and it appears to be a suit for a Mr L. Brumfield, but repurposed to fit a female body. But: what is this thing?! Was it common to repurpose a mens’ suit for a female form? And WHAT IS THIS SUIT? photos here: https://imgur.com/a/i7NU2Sr

 

There are 'make do and mend' how to books and panphlets from the war about remaking men's suits into women's suits. With the men off to war, a lot of suits languished away in cupboards, so why not put them to good use... The museum has one example in its collection.

 

I have one in my collection

 

I have seen the patterns and directions for reworking a man's suit for a woman's use-1940's war time. Also much of the wool cloth production was going to uniforms, so fine woolens were less available. I have had more than one. Jonathan, I think one of the newsletters I donated to you has an article and directions.
Marian

 

Ooh, this is good info! I’ve now found some links about repurposing clothing in the WWII era: http://vintagecraftsandmore.com/201...40s-on-making-a-mans-suit-into-a-womans-suit/ and a copy of Make Do & Mend here: http://handmadeonbroadway.blogspot.com/2016/09/make-do-and-mend-for-free-download.html

Thanks to everyone who commented!