SWEDISH 1940S/1950S LIGHT GREY PATTERNED TWO PIECE SUIT BY LEJONMÄRKET. SIZE CA EU 46-48 LONG (US/UK 36-38 LONG)

DESCRIPTION

This suit is of Swedish origin. It was produced by Lejonmärket and sold new at Sterns, a menswear shop in Norrköping, sometime during the latter half of the 1940s or possibly in the very early 1950s. The cloth is bound to make anyone from Stockholm stop and take notice, as it bears a striking resemblance to the stone paving of Sergels Torg, the city's most famous square and a natural meeting place for its inhabitants, close to Stockholm Central Station. The square was not built until many years after this suit was made, however, so the cloth cannot have been inspired by it – perhaps the reverse is true! The pattern consists of two shades of grey that have an almost purplish tinge, although the overall impression is still grey.

The jacket is single-breasted and fastens with two buttons. It has horizontal front pockets with flaps and a buttonhole in the left lapel. During this particular period, in the late 1940s and early 1950s, suit design became somewhat more adventurous. Things that would have been unthinkable just a few years earlier were now considered acceptable. In the case of this suit, it is not only the cloth that stands out, but also the fact that the jacket has no breast pocket! This was a typical whim of clothing manufacturers at the time, although it did not remain in fashion for very long. At the back, the jacket is straight-cut and has a single vent. Internally, it is fully lined and has two internal pockets, one on each side.

The trousers are equally characteristic of the period. They are, of course, high-waisted and have double front pleats. They have vertical front pockets and belt loops. The fly fastens with buttons, and there is a small coin pocket at the front on the left-hand side, just below the waistband. They have turn-ups at the hems. At the back, there is one pocket on each side, both with button fastenings.

The overall condition is very good. The most significant defect can be found by lifting one of the sleeves: the cloth has become slightly fuzzy in that area, but this is confined to the immediate vicinity of the sleeve seam. It would take a rather unnatural movement of the arm to expose the affected area, so it has no impact on the overall appearance when the suit is worn. As is often the case, there is also some minor discolouration to the lining around the armholes.

The cloth makes this suit something special. We come across suits made from cloths this distinctive no more than once or twice a year. Please study the photos and form your own impression of the condition.

SIZE

The suit corresponds approximately to a modern EU 46–48 LONG (US/UK 36–38 LONG). The length of the jacket suggests that the wearer should ideally be at least 190 cm (6'3") tall to achieve the right proportions. There is ample extra length in the trouser legs, which can be let down if the turn-ups are removed. If you prefer to retain the turn-ups, it should still be possible to add false turn-ups and lengthen the trousers by at least 5 cm. Please scroll down for exact measurements and seam allowances.

MEASUREMENTS

JACKET

Chest (A) : 53 cm

Waist (B) : 48 cm 

Sleeves (C) : 66 cm

Shoulders (D) : 48 cm

Total length (E) : 81 cm (78 cm measured from neck seam)

TROUSERS

Waist (A) : 40 cm 

Length (B) : 111 cm 

Inseam (C) : 80 cm 

Cuff width (D) : 23 cm 

Seam allowance trousers waist: 3 cm 

Seam allowance trousers length: 3 cm (+10 cm if cuff in removed)