Once again, the outbreak of war in 1939 put a stop to any progress in male fashion and during the Second World War men’s clothes were rationed and restricted by Utility regulations (new suits were allowed only a certain number of pockets and buttons, had single-breasted jackets and trousers no wider than 19 inches with no turn-ups).

The square, loose cut prevailed to the end of the 1940 and in America became more exaggerated, with the jacket hanging loosely from a wide shoulder line, in what was called the ‘drape’, while trousers were pleated into the front of the waistband to give the required width in the leg.

19411945

1946