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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: LJBeastie on Thursday 25 February 16 13:07 GMT (UK)
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Hello!
I have a photo which I'd appreciate dating and which is causing a bit of debate!
This is a photo of my great-grandmother's family which has only recently surfaced :)
We're all very curious about the gentleman's trousers! Why do they have buttons up to the knee?! Do they have a practical purpose?
He worked in a brewery so I wondered if that might have something to do with it.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light on this!
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With a topic heading like that I just had to have a look ;D
You could be right that it was something to do with his occupation - or maybe they were refashioned from sleeves?
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He maybe had to get inside a vat & do a bit of tramping?
Skoosh.
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Actually they don't look like trouser bottoms do they so maybe he is wearing protective apparel like chaps that you button over your ordinary trousers!
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I agree with Milliepede. They are gaiters worn over trousers. Which also however have buttons so perhaps they were calf length trousers - breeches, knickerbockers or whatever - with matching gaiters. They must have been considered smart wear to have worn them for the portrait photograph.
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Googling brewers trousers 1920 images there are a lot of breeches shown. Not the button up add on though.
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They could just be spats (I think they were called) that were worn in cold weather - to help keep the wearer warm.
I think that might be why he is wearing them.
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I have got a book called Occupational Costume in England and it describes, and illustrates, the costume of a Drayman, or driver of horsedrawn brewery delivery vehicles, wearing gaiters just like these.
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These were very common day wear from farmers to road labourers.
Leather breeches & gaiters with no wear so must be his best pair.
Odd to see a man in these when he's otherwise smartly dressed.He must have had a decent pair of trousers.
Datewise 1917-20 possibly 21.
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Agree with jim that it is odd to see him being photographed in these - if they were his working clothes. That is why I think they are in effect leg warmers, to keep out the cold.
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That is why I think they are in effect leg warmers, to keep out the cold.
Long Johns stuffed with old newspaper was much cheaper.
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They do look like gaiters and often these were worn by farmers as well as Ag labs. I can remember farmers wearing them on market days at Welshpool . The mine captain and anyone of any standing such as farmers and land agents wore them. In these cases they replaced the sacking leg wrappings worn by poor Ag labs.
The better quality ones were of Bedford Cord, a diagonal woven twill fabric, usually a browny fawn colour. They would be replaced in bad weather by knee length boots.
Viktoria.
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Good evening,
He is wearing britches with matching spats in good quality cloth so best wear. Spats is a shortening of spatterdashes (spatter guards) for wear when the weather is inclement. In the 20s (you may correct me Jim) they became a fashion item for men and women. Usually white but other colours were used. They come as short or long, short being the usual fashion item while long were more of a work item (see photo).
The british army webbing gaiter and the older puttees were only forms of spats. Also worn by several other armies.
If I can find them I still have two of my Grandfathers sets in leather with lace up sides.
John915
PS. The fancy buttons would also indicate best wear, they are matching as well on britches and spats.
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I only looked at the legwear but looking again the young woman wears a corsage and the man a small buttonhole, could it be a wedding photograph? people in those days wed very simply , no big receptions and often people`s Sunday best was their usual outfit.
On another point the young woman( she is very pretty)has a very pronounced bunion on her left foot. My maternal grandma, two aunties and my Mum had this condition it and has come down to my sister. .Viktoria.
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I thought the shape of the top of the trousers looked a little like jodphurs too - so that would equate with working with horses maybe. :-\
Wiggy
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He is wearing boots rather than shoes. This seems to give evidence that he is dressed in working clothes. And that he (and she) were happy to have the photograph taken with him wearing them.
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Similar to
http://www.riverjunction.com/Trousers--Cotton-Vaquero-Pants--Cotton-Canvas_p_1232.html
Regards
Malky
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He is wearing boots rather than shoes. This seems to give evidence that he is dressed in working clothes. And that he (and she) were happy to have the photograph taken with him wearing them.
Shoes would not have looked right with those stylish trousers.
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Repair and color for you LJ.
Regards,
Morrie
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The height of fashion at one time;
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01h53/
and;
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01h52/
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Maybe these trousers could be removed in a hurry without troubling to take the boots off, hence the fine family in the pic'. ;D ;D
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Hello everyone!
Thank you all so much for your replies. I must have lost track of this thread somehow otherwise I'd have replied earlier! But I'm so grateful for all your comments and the colour restoration is lovely mozza29!!
Thanks again everyone!
LJ
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Dear Nunn family
I have just started to use Rootschat, what a great site.
I have nothing to add to the comments however, my great grandmother Priscilla (b 1846 in Chevington) was a Nunn. She married Charles Peck in 1872 and had 7 children. Could your Nunn and mine be related?
Happy New Year
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Maybe these trousers could be removed in a hurry without troubling to take the boots off, hence the fine family in the pic'. ;D ;D
Skoosh,
You should have a page of your own for your quips ;D
They were 'Nunns' (None o' this & that) ::)
Annie
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Dear Nunn family
I have just started to use Rootschat, what a great site.
I have nothing to add to the comments however, my great grandmother Priscilla (b 1846 in Chevington) was a Nunn. She married Charles Peck in 1872 and had 7 children. Could your Nunn and mine be related?
Happy New Year
Hello Malcolm,
All of my Nunn family come from Fornham (All Saints and Genevieve) but it's always possible :)
LJ