SWEDISH 1940S BROWN STRIPED SINGLE BREASTED SUIT BY ÖRNKLÄDER. SIZE CA EU 46-48

DESCRIPTION

This striking suit is of Swedish origin and was tailored sometime during the 1940s by Örnkläder, a well-known Swedish ready-to-wear manufacturer based in Karlstad, central Sweden. The suit was originally sold at a shop named Ohlsons in Leksand, also located in central Sweden.

The fabric and cut are very typical of the late 1940s. It is made from a heavily brown-toned wool with a highly distinctive pattern – somewhat reminiscent of a herringbone weave, though from a distance it appears as bold vertical stripes.

A hallmark of this period is the wide lapels and low button stance. Unlike the more common three-button front of the time, this jacket is two-buttoned. It features horizontal welted front pockets, a chest pocket, and a buttonhole on the left lapel. The back is straight and unvented. The jacket is fully lined, with two inner pockets, one on each side.

The trousers have double pleats and slightly slanted front pockets, with a small coin pocket inside the right pocket. They are fitted with a button fly, and on the inside of the waistband there are buttons for braces. At the back, there is one pocket on each side, both with flaps and button closures. The trouser legs are finished with turn-ups.

There are several things to note regarding the condition. This suit does have a number of small flaws. None are severe enough to seriously affect the overall impression, but they are worth being aware of if you're considering a purchase.

The most notable wear is found under the arms, where the fabric has developed a kind of felting – an uncommon but visible form of wear. Due to the placement, however, it only becomes visible when the arms are raised straight up. There is also some typical wear, such as light fraying around one of the buttonholes, and a fair amount of staining in the lining, both in the jacket and the trousers.

That said, there are no visible holes in the fabric – which is something one might expect in a garment of this age. If fact, most of the wear is on the inside. In our view, certain garments are worth accepting a bit of wear for, especially when they’re rare or visually distinctive. This suit is a prime example: the bold fabric draws attention away from the minor flaws, allowing you to appreciate the piece as a whole.

Please review the photos carefully and form your own impression of the condition.

SIZE

The size of this suit falls somewhere between a modern EU 46 (UK/US 36) and EU 48 (UK/US 38). Based on the waist measurement, the trousers are actually a bit larger, but of course they could be easily taken in if needed.

Please scroll down for detailed measurements and available seam allowances.

MEASUREMENTS

JACKET

Chest (A) : 53,5 cm

Waist (B) : 50 cm 

Sleeves (C) : 62 cm

Shoulders (D) : 47 cm

Total length (E) : 79 cm (76 cm measured from neck seam)

TROUSERS

Waist (A) : 43 cm

Length (B) : 104 cm 

Inseam (C) : 75 cm

Cuff width (D) : 24,5 cm

Seam allowance trousers waist: 3,5 cm

Seam allowance trousers length: 2 cm + 8 cm if the cuff is removed.