SIMPLER SUITS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 32, 2 November 1942, Page 4

SIMPLER SUITS

British Tailors Protest Strong criticism of tlie British Board of Trade regulations simplifying clothing is made by the "Tailor mid Cutter,” London. It affirms that the taikos are not getting a fair deal. It was neither just nor 'reasonable that a great industry like tailoring should be run by civil servants mid Ministers of the Crown, whose knowledge of the subject was virtually nil. "AVe have quietly put up with the mistakes mid misguided moves of a body of men who du not and cannot understand such a complex matter as tlie clothing' trade,” says the journal. “Everyone sees the necessity for conserving wool, ’and most folk accept Utility cloth in lieu of something better. What tlie majority of men dislike is being treated like children, imagine the ’sauce’ of fiddling with turn-ups ef trousers. Fancy the nonsense of reducing waistcoat pockets to two when every man knows that four are needed to contain season ticket, fountain pen, watch, and other impedimenta.” The journal wants a practical tailor at the Board of Trade, though more than pockets is the issue. Indeed, it is clearly indicated that under the restrictions the great tailoring trade may be jettisoned, a few ‘ factories-cum-chaiiistorc” securing tlie business. Centre of Tailoring.

•■Famous firms as well as tlie small traders will go down like ninepins unless the Board of Trade changes its views," says tlie journal. "To kill a craft like tailoring is madness. When the war is over we shall have precious little export, trade. Few are aware of the amount of money spent in England in normal times by visitors from overseas. For over a century, London has been the centre of high-class tailoring. Men have come from every part of (lie globe periodically to get the best dollies money can’ buy.”

The pocket problem is discussed by a writer in tlie Irish Press. "Ilie Utility suits.” lie says, “liesidc dispensing with dust-gatherers round the ankles, have no dummy buttonholes at the wrists. This is good news. It will teacli those dictators, tlie tailors, that if only they Jiad consented to supply real buttonholes so that we could turn ui> our cuffs in comfort when working at the desk, they would have had an excuse to continue with button holes mid buttons.

"Pockets are cut down to lliree in Utility sails. This is not so good; ir. fact, I consider l.liat it makes nonsense of the lille. What lias more utility than a pocket? The comfort of currying, nil your notebooks, poekothmidkerehiefs, pocket-knives, i>endls, pens, story-books, smokables, playingcards. money, marbles and chalk to make' the ring—all the necessaries of civilized life —was one advantage that menfolk had over tlie ladies hitherto. Henceforward, with drastically rationed pockets, men will have to carry vanity bags. Is this economy?”