Help Describing & Dating Mens Wool Pants 1930s? 1940s?

*~Eli!

Registered Guest
Hi All and Happy New Year.

The pictured pants are made of a fine worsted wool, crisp and soft in texture and are Navy Blue. Pleated in front, extremely high waisted, the belt loops are thin and start at a very thin waist band and descend well down onto the body of the pants. The internal pockets & waistband lining are a natural undyed off white cotton / canvas with hand written notations inside, indicating measurements of this hand tailored item. The suspender buttons appear to be ivory, the zipper is small and simple, made of brass, by Waldes, pockets are all jetted & surged.

I know they are most likely 30s to 40s, but would like some sort of confirmation if you would, as well as maybe help in describing them in the way they may have been described when made. They are unusual because of there size. My model is over 6 feet tall and they fit him beautifully. Most mens items I have found from the 20s to 50s tend to be short.

If you would be so kind as to try and refine the date as well as offer ideas for descriptive words not only for describing them today but also for how they would have been described, in the 30s or 40s, when they were made.

Sorry for all of the lint, they are going to the eco dry cleaner today :)

Gracious as always,

*~Eli
 

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I would have thought late 1940s or even early 50s more likely because of the brass zipper. Any prewar and wartime trousers I have seen have button flys.
 
Hi Jonathan, I can confirm you are correct. I just found the date stamped on the pants. 1948 :) Still would love some helpful descriptive words for them if anyone wishes to be so inclined.

*~Eli
 
I was just going to chime in with the same as far as dating but looks like you solved that one. Also wanted to mention these are likely orphan suit trousers. They probably would have had a matching jacket at some point. They look to be in nice condition and your model wears them well and the size is indeed to your advantage. You have actually done a pretty good job of describing them on your own...I know it can be hard to say a lot about navy trousers. Mention the features you did above and they should sell well.
 
Thank you so very much. Sometimes, I feel as if there is some obvious term I am missing when it comes to items such as these. as you mentioned... there is only so much you can say about Blue wool pants, even if they are from the 40s :P

I figured as much about the suit :( When I found the pants, I want searching for the jacket to no avail. *sigh*

The model laughed at the high waisted pants until he put them on, then he didnt want to take them off they fit so well. Ended up shooting a bunch of blazers with those pants :P

Much obliged Maureen.

Gracious Appreciation,

*~Eli
 
I agree with the dating and that your description is good, and also that they would have had a matching jacket originally.

I only have a couple of things to add: they might have been meant to be worn even more high waisted - see how they are when your model sits down, and how low the crotch is but I think they need to go up a bit higher (so won't be for such a tall man as they seem).

The other thing is that the buttons are unlikely to be real ivory, more of a faux-ivory plastic.

Very nice trousers and your model is displaying them well.
 
Thank you so much. We did start with the pants pulled higher up, he just kept schlepping them down. The man is 6' 2, so they are still rather long, they still dragged on the ground when the pants were up higher. Must have been one tall man for the 40s that owned them. I wish I had been able to find the jacket:P The model is a pleasure to photograph and with which to deal, so thank you for appreciating him.

As for the buttons, I am almost 100% convinced they are ivory, which is surprising. Under a magnifying glass, I can see what appears to be schrager lines, although I did not test them. I had a friend who collected antique ivory, so have a wee bit of knowledge in it.

Did people actually tend to use Ivory for buttons back then? I know they are not bone or antler, but they do appear to be a natural element under magnification, and I do not think they are Xylonite.

Regardless, the assistance is of course always appreciated.

Might anyone have advice on some of the indicating factors for dating mens jackets and pants? I have created quite a broad list that I follow, based on experience and research, yet I am still but a novice, and really enjoy handling mens clothes over womens it seems. Would love to know what others look for as key factors when searching for such things

Gracious Regards,

*~Eli
 
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