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Not currently on display at the V&A

Teddy Boy Suit

Man's Suit
ca. 1972 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Grey worsted three-piece suit. Long line drape jacket with black velvet half-cuffs and collar, velvet covered buttons, pocket flaps and welts to the breast pockets. Waistcoat with black velvet covered buttons. Creased trousers.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Jacket
  • Waistcoat
  • Trousers
TitleTeddy Boy Suit (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Worsted and velvet
Brief description
Suit, three-piece suit: jacket, waistcoat, trousers, grey wool and black velvet, designed by Edwin Hardy Amies for Hepworth's, London, ca. 1972
Physical description
Grey worsted three-piece suit. Long line drape jacket with black velvet half-cuffs and collar, velvet covered buttons, pocket flaps and welts to the breast pockets. Waistcoat with black velvet covered buttons. Creased trousers.
Dimensions
  • Length: 910mm (Note: Jacket)
  • Circumference: 1060mm (Note: Jacket bust)
  • Circumference: 1020mm (Note: Jacket waist)
  • Length: 990mm (Note: Trousers)
  • Circumference: 745mm (Note: Trousers waist)
  • Circumference: 322mm (Note: Trousers hem)
  • Length: 660mm (Note: Vest)
  • Circumference: 840mm (Note: Vest bust)
  • Circumference: 820mm (Note: Vest waist)
Object history
Registered File number 1993/1964, in the exhibition it was part of an outfit called 'Teddy Boy UK c1970 Revival' (includes the suit : jacket T.564-1993, waistcoat T.565-1993 and trousers T.566-1993, the shirt T.537-1994 and the bootlace tie T.538-1994).

This suit was designed and made by Hardy Amies in about 1970 following the revival of Teddy Boy fashions. It was displayed as a Teddy Boy Revival outfit in the Streetstyle exhibition.

Hardy Amies described the Teddy Boy look as "a sort of pantomime version of Edwardianism" (Still Here, 1984). He designed this suit for the elegant, up-market Ted under license for the Hepworth menswear chain. By 1970, there was more velvet trimming on the jackets (which was originally confined to collars & cuffs) but the classic seamless back was kept. The long drape jacket and drainpipe trousers took elements from New Edwardian and Zoot suits, and the bootlace tie came from Western fashions.
Bibliographic reference
Surfers, Soulies, Skinheads & Skaters : Subcultural Style from the Forties to the Nineties Described in the exhibition publication, part of an outfit called 'Teddy Boy UK c1970 Revival'.
Collection
Accession number
T.564 to 566-1993

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Record createdAugust 5, 2008
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