Vintage suits: convertible button?

[440cuda]

I recently acquired 20 or so wool suits from my Grandfather dating from the 40's, 50's and early 60's. They're all in remarkably good condition and look fantastic given their age. I do have a couple questions on them and came here due to the knowledge base of the posters.


Here's my questions:
A couple of the suits have the one bottom button and from what I understand a top convertible button. Would this be considered a one button suit or a two button suit? From what I understand the one button suit was fairly popular in the early 60's. I haven't found much info on convertible buttons though.

Most of the suits don't have any manafacturer labels. The labels they do have though state the tailors name/ company (inside jacket right hand side also inside the pants as well) followed by "New York City, N.Y." I can't remember for the life of me the tailors name. Am I to assume these are custom suits rather than off the rack and altered? My Grandfather lived in Norwalk, CT and my Grandmother said he did get fitted in Manhattan somewhere.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give me. It's odd to me (maybe not to you guys) that there are no black suits. The darkest one there is navy and every single suit (jacket and pants) are 100% wool and single breasted with most being three button. Anyhow, again, I appreciate any info. I can't find much on those couple suits with the convertible buttons.

 

[mack11211]

Originally Posted by 440cuda

I recently acquired 20 or so wool suits from my Grandfather dating from the 40's, 50's and early 60's. They're all in remarkably good condition and look fantastic given their age. I do have a couple questions on them and came here due to the knowledge base of the posters.


Here's my questions:
A couple of the suits have the one bottom button and from what I understand a top convertible button. Would this be considered a one button suit or a two button suit? From what I understand the one button suit was fairly popular in the early 60's. I haven't found much info on convertible buttons though.

Most of the suits don't have any manafacturer labels. The labels they do have though state the tailors name/ company (inside jacket right hand side also inside the pants as well) followed by "New York City, N.Y." I can't remember for the life of me the tailors name. Am I to assume these are custom suits rather than off the rack and altered? My Grandfather lived in Norwalk, CT and my Grandmother said he did get fitted in Manhattan somewhere.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give me. It's odd to me (maybe not to you guys) that there are no black suits. The darkest one there is navy and every single suit (jacket and pants) are 100% wool and single breasted with most being three button. Anyhow, again, I appreciate any info. I can't find much on those couple suits with the convertible buttons.

Not sure what you mean by a convertible button. Convertible into what? You are correct in noting that one-button suit fronts were popular in the early 60s. With a two button suit, the bottom button would be unbuttoned. A picture would help explain what you mean.

The labelling you describe strongly suggests that these suits were custom made. In this case the tailor on the label is the 'manufacturer,' even if he was making them one at a time. Different tailors have different styles and reputations; I'm sure we would all like to know the name of the tailor.

 

[Tomasso]

Photos would help.