On Shorpy today...

[David Conwill]

What's this shiny suit? Silk? Heavily worn serge?

 

[herringbonekid]

looks like shantung silk.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

that it does …

 

[Paul Roerich]

Not shantung silk. It's a blend of silk and mohair. Not too uncommon in the '00s, 'teens and earlier '20s, especially in warmer climes.

 

[herringbonekid]

...especially in warmer climes.

no wonder i haven't heard of it. what's it called ?

 

[Paul Roerich]

It's a silk and mohair blend. I don't know of any brand names for the blend.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

If I could remember which one, I'm pretty sure I have a tie with a brand name for that kind of stuff. I'll check it out. I'm pretty sure it use a Y in …-sylk.

bk

 

[Paul Roerich]

Silk and mohair blends went out of fashion in the U.S. in the '40s, though I've seen a mid '40s photo of a U.S. senator wearing this kind of suit. They continued to be custom made in Japan and Hong Kong through the '60s.