Original 1940s 40s Vintage Lightweight Handmade Grey Gabardine Skirt Suit

This lovely suit was made from a lightweight charcoal grey gabardine in the 1940s. The jacket features unpadded puffed shoulders, a rounded collar and decorative faux pockets at the bust and waist. The collar and faux pockets have been trimmed with a silver corded lamé edging and three decorative buttons adorn each waist pocket. A line of nine matching original fabric covered buttons runs down the centre of the jacket. These buttons are not functional and the only openings are a side metal zipper and three press studs at the neckline. The skirt comes in a longer length characteristic of the early 1940s and features a wonderful parallel goring down the centre front, which falls into a kick pleat. It closes with a side metal zipper and has a small concealed waistband. Both pieces are unlined, making this suit perfectly lightweight for wearing during the summer. 

Top

Bust: 38”

Waist: 30”

Shoulders: 14 1/2”

Skirt

Waist: 28”

Hips: 38”

Length: 31 1/2” plus 1” hem

This suit has likely been handmade as its zippers do not match (the skirt zipper may be a later replacement) and the finishing is not quite of commercially made quality. It is in very good condition with only a small pinhole on the back of the jacket and a darn near the skirt hem as pictured. 

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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