Suit
1945 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is a good example of a Utility suit. During the Second World War both hand-crafted and mass-produced tailoring was as important as it is today. But, despite the best efforts of fashion designers to be inventive without wasting precious fabric, there was a very limited choice.
The Utility Scheme was introduced by the Board of Trade in 1941 to ensure that low and medium quality consumer goods were produced to the highest possible standards at 'reasonable' prices. These standards complied with restrictions and the rationing of raw materials. The word 'Utility' was applied to garments made from Utility cloth, which was defined in terms of minimum weight and fibre content per yard. Utility clothes were usually identified by a distinctive double crescent CC41 (Civilian Clothing) label.
The Utility Scheme was introduced by the Board of Trade in 1941 to ensure that low and medium quality consumer goods were produced to the highest possible standards at 'reasonable' prices. These standards complied with restrictions and the rationing of raw materials. The word 'Utility' was applied to garments made from Utility cloth, which was defined in terms of minimum weight and fibre content per yard. Utility clothes were usually identified by a distinctive double crescent CC41 (Civilian Clothing) label.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Wool |
| Brief description | Single-breasted suit consisting of a jacket and trousers in woven wool, made for Utility, retailed by Selfridges & Co., Great Britain, 1945 |
| Physical description | Single-breasted Utility suit consisting of a jacket and trousers in woven blue wool with a vertical pin-stripe. Conforming to the rationing restrictions on material imposed in 1942, which forbade turn-ups, double-breasted jackets, and limited the number of buttons and pockets. |
| Credit line | Given by Capt. G.P. Williams |
| Summary | This is a good example of a Utility suit. During the Second World War both hand-crafted and mass-produced tailoring was as important as it is today. But, despite the best efforts of fashion designers to be inventive without wasting precious fabric, there was a very limited choice. The Utility Scheme was introduced by the Board of Trade in 1941 to ensure that low and medium quality consumer goods were produced to the highest possible standards at 'reasonable' prices. These standards complied with restrictions and the rationing of raw materials. The word 'Utility' was applied to garments made from Utility cloth, which was defined in terms of minimum weight and fibre content per yard. Utility clothes were usually identified by a distinctive double crescent CC41 (Civilian Clothing) label. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.304&A-1982 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | December 15, 1999 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
