1940s Men's Navy Wool Double Breasted Tuxedo Suit Shiffer Hillman Sz 42
A handsome late-1940s men's tuxedo by Shiffer Hillman Clothes of Toronto, tailored in deep navy blue wool with contrasting black faille (grosgrain) trim and the strongly structured silhouette characteristic of postwar formalwear.
The jacket has a classic double-breasted four-button front with exceptionally broad black faille-faced peak lapels. The sharply pointed lapels, heavily padded and structured shoulders and tailored waist give the jacket the strong, masculine silhouette characteristic of men's tailoring during the immediate postwar period.
Other details include a welted breast pocket, jetted side pockets, three-button cuffs and a fully lined interior. The jacket is ventless at the back, maintaining the clean formal line traditionally associated with dinner jackets of the period.
The matching trousers are cut with a high waist and double forward pleats, with black satin stripes running along the outer seams. Included are button-on suspenders, and the pants have a generously cut upper leg tapering toward the hem. Together, the jacket and trousers have a particularly elegant late-1940s formalwear silhouette.
The jacket bears the woven Shiffer Hillman Clothes label together with an earlier-style Shiffer Hillman Clothes – Toronto tailor's label. Shiffer Hillman Clothes was a major Canadian clothing manufacturer established during the 1920s and remained in business until going into receivership in 1981.
There is no size indicated. Based upon the measurements, the tuxedo should correspond approximately to a modern US size 42, but vintage sizing and proportions differ from modern clothing, so please refer carefully to the actual measurements below.
Jacket Measurements
Shoulders: 19 1/4 inches across seam-to-seam
Sleeves: 25 inches long
Sleeve inseam: 17 1/4 inches
Chest: 46 inches around, taken under the arms
Waist: 42 inches around
Overall length: 30 inches, measured flat at the back from the neck seam
Pants Measurements
Waist: 35 inches
Length: 43 inches
Inseam: 30 1/2 inches
Condition
The tuxedo is in very good condition with no notable wear, tears, soiling, staining or odour. This has been very well preserved and presents very well.
A particularly stylish example of late-1940s men's evening wear, combining a deep navy wool body with dramatic black faille peak lapels, strongly padded shoulders and matching striped formal trousers. The broad-shouldered double-breasted silhouette is unmistakably of its period and makes this an excellent choice for wearing for a formal occasion.