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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Fashion, Room 40

Suit

1940s (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Utility scheme was devised by the Board of Trade to share and conserve scarce resources, whilst creating practical and stylistically appealing clothing. Specifications were set with regards to materials and design details. With its double-breasted cut, peaked lapels and wide straight-legged trousers, this suit is typical of the period. The breast pocket is stay stitched rather than interlined to economise on fabric. The pocket bags and waistband facings are made in cheap quality cotton. The suit bears the CC41 label, which means civilian clothing, 1941.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Jacket
  • Trousers
Materials and techniques
Wool lined with rayon and cotton
Brief description
Man's woollen suit consisting of a jacket with straight-legged trousers, made for Utility, Great Britain, 1940s
Physical description
Man's suit consisting of a double-breasted jacket with peaked lapels, and wide straight-legged trousers in brown flecked wool. Pocket bags and waistband facings are made in cotton.

Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
'CC41' (label)
Translation
Civilian clothing 1941
Gallery label
The Utility scheme was devised to share and conserve scarce resources, whilst creating practical and stylistically appealing clothing. With its double-breasted cut, peaked lapels and wide straight-legged trousers, this suit is typical of the period. The breast pocket is stay stitched rather than interlined to economise on fabric. The pocket bags and waistband facings are made in cheap quality cotton. The suit bears the CC41 label.(1997)
Production
This is a utility suit made under the utility scheme of 1941-1952, devised by the Board of Trade to manage scarce resources.
Attribution note: Pocket bags and waistband facings are made in cheap quality cotton, as per the specifications of the utility scheme.
Summary
The Utility scheme was devised by the Board of Trade to share and conserve scarce resources, whilst creating practical and stylistically appealing clothing. Specifications were set with regards to materials and design details. With its double-breasted cut, peaked lapels and wide straight-legged trousers, this suit is typical of the period. The breast pocket is stay stitched rather than interlined to economise on fabric. The pocket bags and waistband facings are made in cheap quality cotton. The suit bears the CC41 label, which means civilian clothing, 1941.
Collection
Accession number
T.242&A-1981

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Record createdSeptember 9, 2003
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