Original 1940s 40s Vintage Grey Wool Skirt Suit With Red Pinstripe

This wonderful skirt suit was made from grey wool with a white and red stripe in the 1940s. As you would expect of a suit from this decade, the jacket is cut to a classic hourglass shape, with strong padded shoulders and a nipped waist. The notch collar frames an open style v-neckline (although the top button could be closed to give a more rounded collar), which marks the starting point for a single row of five fabric covered buttons. Running parallel from shoulder to hem and on either side of the buttons are panels of fabric with a contrasting diagonal stripe. Similar panels are found on the back of the jacket but this time they taper to form a point towards the waist. Inside, the jacket is lined in crepe and has American Union labels. The skirt is cut in an unusual wrap around style (making it ideal for easy alterations) with three fabric covered buttons at the waist and a press stud to the opposite side.

Jacket

Shoulder: 14 1/4” seam to seam
Bust: 34” with a little extra cup room
Waist: 28”

Skirt

Waist: 25 1/2”
Hips: 36” but can accommodate larger due to the wrap style of the skirt
Length: 29 1/2” plus 2 1/2” hem

The suit is in good condition, however the jacket has been expertly darned and these darns are noticeable on close inspection. There is some staining to the back of the collar and to the underarm of the lining (please see pictures).

This garment is available to purchase with or without dress shields. These clever little contraptions have been made by our seamstress to an original 1940s pattern and can be simply attached to your garment by tack stitching at the corners of the underarm seam, pinning (we wouldn’t recommend that, it hurts if it goes wrong, so if you try this, it is at your own risk only) or inserting tiny poppers. They then stand ready to absorb any sweat and body odours as needed and you can simply detach and launder them instead of your garment, saving you a fortune in dry cleaning bills.

They are equally suitable for suits, blazers and dresses and come in two different options:

1. Pure cream cotton for your heavier weight dresses, blazers and suits

or

2. White cotton muslin for lightweight summer dresses (so they don’t show through the fabric)

They are universally sized and super easy to use even for a sewing novice as only a couple of tiny stitches are required at each side to secure them.

We sell Dress Shields as a standalone item or at a discount if you purchase them with a garment. We will select the appropriate type to match the garment you have purchased.

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