Vintage 1950s Velvet Tux Jacket Maroon Smoking Jacket Sz 40

This is a wonderful vintage 1950s velvet tux jacket or smoking jacket made by H.V. Cowie of Toronto under their “Bonnington” brand name.  This vintage 1950s velvet tux jacket is made in a very attractive maroon or burgundy colour, a somewhat purplish red.  It has a black faille (grosgrain) shawl collar and has a flapped pocket at either side.  The shoulders are padded in typical 1950s fashion.  It closes at the waist with two buttons covered in matching velvet fabric.  The jacket is fully lined in black satin rayon or acetate fabric.

Age: 1940s, maybe early 1950s

Label: Bonnington Reg’d Tailored by H.V. Cowie Co Limited.  Cowie was founded in 1922 by Hedley Vicars Cowie and specialized in manufacturing and importing menswear.  Bonnington was registered as a brand in 1945.  The company declined after H.V. Cowie’s death in 1965 and the plant was sold in 1967, although they continued activity as an importer until dissolution in 2008. (information courtesy of Jonathan Walford, The Canadian Fashion Institute - please support the institute in any way possible as it is doing excellent work in researching and preserving Canadian fashion).

Retailer label:  Henry Morgan & Co. Limited Montreal.  Henry Morgan & Co. of Montreal was a venerable Montreal department store founded in 1850.  They served a high-end clientele and changed their name and logo to “Morgan’s” in 1957, so this smoking jacket has to pre-date that year.  

Material: Excellent quality velvet - most likely cotton, very soft

Sizing:  Size 40 (medium) is indicated, but please rely on the following measurements for fit:

Shoulders: 18 1/2” across seam-to-seam

Sleeves: 26” long

Sleeve Inseam: 18 1/2” long

Chest: 46”, taken under the arms

Waist: 42” around

Overall length: 30 1/2“, measured flat

Condition: This vintage 1950s velvet tux jacket looks to have seen very little use and was well kept over the last 75 or so years.  The right pocket and chest pocket are still stitched closed.  There are a couple of small velvet matte marks, but these would disappear with a dry cleaning - this presents itself very well as is and is ready to wear.

This is a great example of a vintage 1950s velvet tux jacket - beautiful colour and quality velvet.  They just don’t make quality like this today!