BRITISH Belt-Back Suits and Sports Jackets

[Two Types]

It sold for £88

 

[Baron Kurtz]

That's nice fabric. Wish it was 30 years older!

 

[herringbonekid]

these are from Kay's catalogue. Kay's was pretty much the British equivalent of Sears. nearly every working class household in Britain would have
had a copy of either Kay's or Grattan's catalogues.

1937:

1940:

 

[Two Types]

The father and son combination is great. I wasn't sure, but does the caption say that the boy's jacket has a 'sports back'?

 

[herringbonekid]

TT, yes it does.
you can go through years here:

http://www.worldofkays.org/website/search?search_list=1933&type_id=15

... though there are quite large gaps.

 

[Two Types]

That website is fantastic. I think we need to start plundering it for images to discuss on the FL.

 

[Fastuni]

Great link indeed!

 

[Two Types]

I noticed there are no catalogues for 1925/26. I was rather hoping to see the Kays catalogue interpretation of Oxford Bags.

 

[Two Types]

Another example from Kays catalogue for 1930:

Although the illustration doesn't show it, this jacket was available with a belted back and patch pockets:

 

[1940sFreddie]

Hello this is my first post on the site. I thought id share one of my British made back-belted suits from my collection. The suit is a black pinstripe made by N.Berg of London. Has a single breasted jacket, double breasted waist coat and very wide leg and high waist trousers. late 30s?

sorry for the picture quality.

Hope to share some more of my collection.

Freddie

 

[Fastuni]

Welcome Freddie.

Very impressive suit!

Yes, I agree - mid to late 1930's.
Pinstripe with belt-back, the "loaded" waistcoat and extremely closely set three front buttons...
not an usual suit of the period, but a flashy suit with dramatic extra frills, probably for a young man seeking the right attention.

Please share more of your collection!

Hello this is my first post on the site. I thought id share one of my British made back-belted suits from my collection. The suit is a black pinstripe made by N.Berg of London. Has a single breasted jacket, double breasted waist coat and very wide leg and high waist trousers. late 30s?

sorry for the picture quality.

Hope to share some more of my collection.

Freddie

 

[herringbonekid]

1940sFreddie, if you've been through this thread you'll know that British belt backs are very rare. that suit is even rarer still. i've never seen anything like it (except some of the suits in 'Brighton Rock')... the very pointed peak lapels, belt back and DB waistcoat are unusual enough; usually Brit belt backs seen in ads are of the notch lapel 'sporty' type. what really sets this one apart is the close set three buttons which seems to hark back to U.S. 'jazz' suits of the early 20s, though the jacket doesn't have the high waist / long skirt that those suits would have had. (some of the suits in Brighton Rock also had 'jazz' styling* though added to a late 40s cut; broad padded shoulders, wide trousers).
i'd love to see a photo of the original owner in it.



* e.g. the slanted pockets of this one:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...-their-suits&p=1388965&viewfull=1#post1388965

 

[1940sFreddie]

Hello Chaps thank you for the warm welcome! I also have this back belted suit too. Again black pinstripe but Double breasted jacket. I just love the vertical vents on the back. I am 95% sure its British, but I could be wrong. The trousers have large belt loops though so maybe its late 1940s early 50s?

Freddie

 

[herringbonekid]

another exceptional suit ! i agree it looks British though the tunnel belt loops are unusual in Brit tailoring.

 

[Fastuni]

Freddie, where did you get all those crazy Brit pinstriped Beltbacks?

Fantastic suit. Probably British, with the large flapped fob pocket. Is there a chance that it is from the same owner and tailor as the first one?

 

[1940sFreddie]

Freddie, where did you get all those crazy Brit pinstriped Beltbacks?

Fantastic suit. Probably British, with the large flapped fob pocket. Is there a chance that it is from the same owner and tailor as the first one?

Thanks guys, the first suit with the DB waist coat I bought from ebay a few years ago was just listed under vintage suit and was about £60. The second I bought from a 40s dealer only recently I fell in love with the back of it, so had to have it. So I would think it unlikely they came from the same person.
But my True love is Montague Burton suits of which Im a bit of a nutter.

 

[herringbonekid]

the first suit with the DB waist coat I bought from ebay a few years ago was just listed under vintage suit and was about £60.

i need to lie down now.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Ah ha! I think that second one is the one the Ben missed out on. (sold before his friend could go back and pick it up. Did it come from Lynn and Rob? (vintage revival clothing))

A pair of amazing suits!

 

[1940sFreddie]

Did it come from Lynn and Rob? (vintage revival clothing))

Thank you!
Yeah indeed it did come from Lynn and Rob. I have bought quite a few suits from them and have gotten to know them fairly well.

 

[Two Types]

I'm speechless! Now we know where all the belt-backs are!!! The first one is a real wideboy's suit. I agree with HBk's comments about Brighton Rock - that was what came to mind immediately.

Well done and welcome to the FL. I'm sure I'm not alone in looking forward to seeing you post lot's more from your collection.