Trousers, evening trousers

A pair of man's evening trousers made from knitted wool by Kilgour & French. The Dover Street tailoring firm made 'ultra-modern clothes for the most dashing type of young man'.

The suit was made to order for Bernard Bennett (1900-1985).The dinner jacket is made from fabric knitted by Courtaulds for exhibition. Bernard Bennett was a professional photographer who worked under the name 'Boris'. His career was documented in an exhibition held at the Jewish Museum. Up to World War II he was the leading wedding and portrait photographer for the Jewish community. His studio was located at 14 Whitechapel Road. After the war he set up a chain of photographic retail shops called Bennett Cameras. He sold the business in 1963 and turned to property development. Bennett was interested in clothes and his appearance and was known for his flamboyant style.

The trousers are made from navy blue knitted wool and trimmed with a black self striped satin ribbon down the outside leg. The waistband at the front is made from a 6.5cm wide strip of black satin which imitates a cummerbund. The trousers have straight legs which finish at a slight angle to cover the shoe. They are full over the stomach and the fabric is set into the waistband with two front facing pleats. The trousers are shaped at the back with two short vertical darts to the waistband. They have a button fastening fly front and close at the waist with a series of buttons, metal press studs and metal hooks and bars. The waist can be adjusted with a metal buckle and straps at the back and there are buttons inside the waist band for braces. There are two side pockets set in at the hip and one watch pocket at the waist which closes with a metal press stud.