Not currently on display at the V&A

Nehru Suit

Suit
11/1967 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Jackets of this style - tailored, hip-length, and with a standing collar and long placket of buttons - became popular in places including Europe in the late 1960s. These garments were widely referred to as 'Nehru jackets' as they take inspiration from garments worn by Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister of India from 1947 to 1964. Nehru wore the archkan, a knee length coat and the more informal bundi waistcoat, both of which had standing collars and long button plackets. Those who wore 'Nehru jackets' outside of India in the 'Swinging Sixties' tended to be expressing an interest in breaking away from traditions, sartorial and otherwise. This helps to explain why 'Nehru jackets' were often made from luxurious fabrics such as silk and velvet that were colourful and/or patterned, rather than the plainer materials that had long been favoured for menswear by many cultures. The style had its heyday in the late 1960s but was revived in the 1980s and 1990s in places including Britain and the United States.

This 'Nehru' jacket came with trouser made from matching striped dark grey worsted.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Jacket
  • Trousers
TitleNehru Suit
Materials and techniques
Wool, lined with silk and cotton
Brief description
Suit, 'Nehru jacket' and trousers, menswear ensemble, designed by Gilbert Feruch, Paris, 11/1967
Physical description
Suit of chalk striped dark grey worsted, 'Nehru jacket' and trousers.
Dimensions
  • Weight: 1.44kg
Marks and inscriptions
  • Label stitched inside the hip pocket 'Feruch, 75 Fbg St. Honove Paris'
  • Label stitched inside the hip pocket 'Feruch ... Stephanides Nov' 67'
Credit line
Given anonymously
Summary
Jackets of this style - tailored, hip-length, and with a standing collar and long placket of buttons - became popular in places including Europe in the late 1960s. These garments were widely referred to as 'Nehru jackets' as they take inspiration from garments worn by Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister of India from 1947 to 1964. Nehru wore the archkan, a knee length coat and the more informal bundi waistcoat, both of which had standing collars and long button plackets. Those who wore 'Nehru jackets' outside of India in the 'Swinging Sixties' tended to be expressing an interest in breaking away from traditions, sartorial and otherwise. This helps to explain why 'Nehru jackets' were often made from luxurious fabrics such as silk and velvet that were colourful and/or patterned, rather than the plainer materials that had long been favoured for menswear by many cultures. The style had its heyday in the late 1960s but was revived in the 1980s and 1990s in places including Britain and the United States.

This 'Nehru' jacket came with trouser made from matching striped dark grey worsted.
Collection
Accession number
T.318&A-1977

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
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