Several months ago during some of my travels I stumbled upon the late 1930s sports coat below.
click images to enlarge
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTOBFwElq5Zes-792iuoJjYjqtCAg6hfF9J5oQgY5rxrF4Rj2SbwwRcJgrsMFRzKfGxhXRRyIgm0yIuSy0ZPWrD2m0tNhOcu3OUfCDCyvbZdrblUSVgoYCzLwHfBkBgwRMblshvSQOhYf/s320/pleated+pockets+jacket+001.jpg)
This jacket has a couple odd characteristics. First, it has two breast pockets. While this was not unheard of on leisure jackets, it was a little less common on regular sports coats.
Another example of a dual breast-pocketed jacket is shown below. These images are from the classic movie "It's a Wonderful Life" and show Jimmy Stewart's fantastic jacket with lazy peaked lapels to go with the dual breast pockets.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1Ya4Egjbb4QsKAyDeC-8NbdqOdFhzocLQT5aLz6XHf03tsNtSpucleFJn9R-F5ia6kt9c3eWOeZeUlF_Rs3xI6Sx9yET2n82Ynj1Il3yaclNGRG8QEoa_M8aDwcdKvdVXw8NKzqlhj_u/s320/003.jpg)
It should be noted that Stewart provided his own wardrobe for "Wonderful Life". The dual breast pocket feature was more of a Hollywood/dandy/higher class trend and most likely would not have been picked up by the lowly and poor small town clerk character that Stewart played in the movie.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIOUmDohf5EIJ43KcsBJD-7Ar2Dmr-IFOl6nDZ043AtOjQoEM1K9-50aMyhZv43qNLK0sacqmk6wnAuHYb6oIBvnpylb1edZVYfw4uzWbvKFGmKV3aNUXX0QldiDBOLuoYuj9nU5m-6WV/s320/004.jpg)
Secondly and most unusually: all of the patch pockets are pleated with vertical 'shark gills'.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1UC8WitLVKR8CP3ouQDTRl5zr75b2YcUfytIgBjX4pPjPYlrZHSZgo7DGrQ64J1s6aS5AxzgzD-pyX3mP-sh2p7dyr-Wmn47M7L6S2Og-d7CfvoYeDXbmZl4jAOaMBX4DHULQ29TR8Rp/s320/pleated+pockets+jacket+004.jpg)
Definitely an unusual and sophisticated tailoring feature that added another layer of character to an already unique jacket. The material is also interesting, kind of a smooth yet slightly nubby tweed:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZsuYjcsTIFJlNV_Ga5oAQTGvTOzFTcfaiTHbknZK5afBtnkUIjweossufHtj2yYRAoWoAN6MNNjpHtW_roCDLqS0oxp-vs84re31qSiH-alEMP0T-kAwaYkn1kaD4URjmfgkRXdqb1k8/s320/pleated+pockets+jacket+003.jpg)
With such unusual treatments on the front of the jacket you'd expect even more craziness on the backside: a belted back at least, maybe with pleats if we're lucky. But you'd be wrong.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPorMbVBrG86Rk5uMfutv2eDOvy3VPL9bpxzXdoA5Dik3x4YVsLgBV0jaeEM7YNvwJBeyCzFiRgMJspug_jLogYUOhFDDRE5y2o1toWsYrHJFysvXkJJWs_2dAG5kvXgZ6f0umZTx83QmX/s320/pleated+pockets+jacket+002.jpg)
Just a plain, ventless back. It's a party up front, all business in back. What a combo.
This unusual jacket is a perfect example of the oddities spawned during the 1930s and has a well deserved place in my personal collection.
2 comments:
cool pockets and fabric! i love the 30s, odd or not.
It's a real oddity that one. I'm used to seeing the busy jackets from the 1930s with pockets and belts, but I've never seen one with a ventless back like that.
The '30s usually had higher 3-4 buttoning jackets too.
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