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Tailor made wool woman's suit, is this 40s?

Discussion in 'PUBLIC Vintage Fashion - Ask Questions Get Answers' started by Retro Ruth, Nov 21, 2010.

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  1. Midge

    Midge Super Moderator Staff Member

    Gorgeous suit, Ruth! Believe it or not - I tried a very, very similar suit on in a vintage shop in Wellington during my New Zealand trip. Something like two or two and a half weeks ago... Sadly, it was just a bit too big, and the skirt didn't look good on me, as well as there was some damage to it. But the skirt was absolutely the same shape (no boning though), and the same kind of opening with the snaps. The jacket was about the same shape too. How fascinating!

    I admit, the skirt's closure threw me a bit, but my initial though had been "40s" (they had lots of 40s stuff at that shop). Now I have learned something too :lol:!

    Karin
     
    Midge, Nov 25, 2010
    #21
  2. vertugarde

    vertugarde Alumni

    The reason this is tricky to date is that it is a traditional English Harris Tweed ladies suit which saw very slight changes in style from the late 1930's through to the 1950's in Britain. It is a very conservative look which isn't about keeping "up with the latest fashion." Suits were copied, tailoring features with sprats heads or crows feet and stiffening bones or stays in the waistband were not uncommon. The fact that the skirt doesn't have a zip might indicate that zips were hard to come by perhaps indicating austerity years and post WW2 but having poppers as closures are not unusual for a later suit. If there were hooks and eyes only as fasteners I might be inclined to think this is an earlier suit but this could be from the 1950's.

    The buttons could have come off an earlier original suit.
     
    vertugarde, Nov 26, 2010
    #22
  3. Retro Ruth

    Retro Ruth VFG Member Staff Member

    Thank you vertugarde, I do see your point about it being a classic rather than high-fashion style that would have run through a decade or two. To me the older buttons, and the amount of material in the skirt, do seem to make it more likely that it's earlier rather than later, and pre-WWII, however I think I will mention that it could be a later version of a classic style. (when I get around to listing it! I haven't got my etsy shop off the ground yet, and I don't think I want to put this on ebay, though I may have a go)

    I don't think this would be called tweed though - it's finer, a tighter weave, and the cloth smoother to touch, than the rougher finish and slightly looser weave that I associate with tweed. Though if wrong in my understanding of what tweed is, i'd be glad to hear if anyone thinks differently.

    Ruth
     
    Retro Ruth, Nov 28, 2010
    #23
  4. Circa Vintage Clothing

    Circa Vintage Clothing Alumni

    Vertugarde is right: your suit is made of tweed. Herringbone tweed, a nice fine one. You're probably thinking of men's tweed jackets: a finer weave was often used for ladies suits as the bulkiness is unflattering.

    Nicole
     
    Circa Vintage Clothing, Nov 28, 2010
    #24
  5. Retro Ruth

    Retro Ruth VFG Member Staff Member

    Many thanks Nicole, that's good to know. And thanks to everyone who's contributed to this thread. It's an education! R
     
    Retro Ruth, Nov 28, 2010
    #25
  6. Jonathan

    Jonathan VFG Member

    When you list it, let me know. I don't have a good example of a tailored suit from this period and would be interested, although I would prefer one with a label to prove origin, if you can find it! lol
     
    Jonathan, Nov 28, 2010
    #26
  7. Retro Ruth

    Retro Ruth VFG Member Staff Member

    Thanks Jonathan, I will do so.
     
    Retro Ruth, Nov 28, 2010
    #27
  8. Retro Ruth

    Retro Ruth VFG Member Staff Member

    I've put this on ebay as a Buy-It-Now / Best Offer, to see what happens. Item number 200555962543.

    I would of course be delighted if it went to you and your museum Jonathan!

    Ruth
     
    Retro Ruth, Dec 18, 2010
    #28
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