The London Lounge

I think I'm correct in saying that the still-current custom (certainly in Europe) of 'fitting' double vents to jackets (or, more properly, coats!) dates from the first half of the 20th century.

Can any fellow Loungers tell me more?? eg. a more precise time line; which types of coat led the way? what is the date of the first 'confirmed siting' on a lounge suit? which tailors or customers led the trend? did the vent length differ from today's 'standard' length? etc.

I would greatly value your insights and knowledge.

Houndstooth

Double vents came into being in the second half of C20. There is an interview with Louis Stanbury (of Kilgour French Stanbury) in the book, "Today there are no gentlemen" and he confirms the introduction of double vents in Savile Row. I do not have the book to hand but I believe this was in the late 50's.
Perhaps others can confirm.

I recently had an interesting conversation about single and double vents. My personal preference has always been for double, because there are so many horrendous single vent ready made jobs walking around. I also tend to put my hands in my pockets far too often.

My tailor pointed out that to make a single vent look good, the cloth should be somewhat stiff to support the shape of the flared skirt. The advent of lightweight cloths therefore very much coincides with the fashion for double vents. A Savile Row tweed jacket can pull off a single vent easily, very little else should dare to follow.