Utility clothing was
produced to aid the economy and help the war effort and although not actually
being of military manufacture it is arguably getting close to a 'civilian
uniform'.
Utility Clothing was
introduced towards the end of 1941 by the British government with several
purposes in mind.
Raw materials (cloth,
wool, leather etc.) were in short supply and had to be conserved. Manufactures
needed to become more efficient in their working practices (Much of the
skilled labour had left to fight). Clothing prices (which were increasing)
needed to be kept down so that the civilian population could afford clothing
of a reasonable quality.
The Utility Clothing
Scheme in the large part succeeded in these aims. Utility clothing was
stamped or labelled with a utility mark (CC41), the two C's looking more
like 'Pack Man' figures than letters, in an effort possibly to hide its
true meaning i.e. Civilian Clothing 1941.
The government took
control of the import and manufacture of raw materials and supplied cloth
etc. to manufactures.
Manufactures were
encouraged to produce a limited range of garments and therefore produce
longer runs of garments using this 'Utility' material. This obviously
increased efficiency while reducing the choice available.
The style of garments
produced were also subject to 'austerity' regulations, which restricted
how much cloth was used. For example, pockets were restricted, a maximum
length for men's shirts was introduced and a ban on turn ups for men's
trousers caused much heated debate.
Utility clothing was
also subject to price regulations.
Profits were restricted for both manufactures and retailers which resulted
in Utility clothing being significantly cheaper than non-utility clothing
when first introduced. This together with the initial dislike by some
retailers of reduced profits may have given utility clothing its bad name.
Although initially
there was a great deal of hostility directed at Utility clothing by the
general public this reduced as more of the clothing reached the shops.
The public was surprised
to discover that the clothing varied in style & colour and was generally
hard wearing and good quality.
The utility scheme
was later to include furniture as well some other items and continued
past the war until it was finally withdrawn in 1952
