Description
This khaki tan, tropical or” safari” style late 1960s or early 70s men’s leisure suit combines a short sleeved, belted-back jacket with flat front, straight-leg trousers. The oxford-cloth fabric is a medium-weight cotton blend, with a very subtle and pale glen plaid design. This light blue, light brown, and off-white woven pattern is more or less visible, depending on the lighting (see close-up photos). It appears more like plain khaki or beige from a distance. The short-sleeved shirt-jacket has 4 patch pockets with buttoned flaps and inverted center pleats. A larger inverted pleat extends from the straight shoulder yoke to the half-belt, in back. The jacket hem is double-vented. The shirt-jacket fastens below the open-neck, pointed collar with 2-tone, brown and tan plastic buttons. It is unlined.
The matching flat-front pant has a metal hook at the waistband and a nylon zip fly, as well as belt loops. There are 2 diagonal pockets in front and 2 horizontal welt pockets with button and loop closures in back. The trousers currently have a very deep hem (3 inches), which could be let down to lengthen the short inseam up to 2.75 inches. The pant has a sand-colored, polished cotton lining only at the waistband, and forming the pockets.
The cotton blend suit fabric is slightly crisp, does not wrinkle easily, and should be lightweight enough for warmer climates or summer wear. In very good condition, the suit has some slight yellowing along the inside edge of the collar, not likely to be noticed when it is worn. It has been soaked and laundered, and is clean, fresh, and ready to wear.
This true vintage, 1960s or 70s tropical-style leisure suit was made in India, and purchased from the widow of the original owner. She told me that he had a “government job” that he wasn’t really allowed to talk about, so I am calling it the “Spy Suit”! Cue the Jame Bond music…
SIZE: modern men’s S to M (or women’s M).
JACKET.
- Chest: 40 inches flat, to fit up to 38 max.
- Sleeve length: 10 inches.
- Sleeve opening at bicep: 13.5 inches flat.
- Length: 28.5 inches from back of neck to hem.
- Underarm to hem: 19 inches.
- Width at hem: 41 inches flat.
- Shoulder to shoulder: 16.5 inches.
- Jacket waist: 36 inches flat.
TROUSERS.
- Waist: 32 inches flat.
- Hip: 39 inches flat.
- Length waist to hem at side seam: 39 inches.
- Inseam length: 28.5 inches (with 3 inch hem)
- Rise: 11.25 inches in front and 15.25 inches in back (26.5 total).
- Width at thigh: 22 inches flat.
- Width at hem: 19 inches flat.
LABEL: Tailored by Garg Brothers, Khan Market, New Delhi
