Siren suit
Category
Costume
Date
1940 - 1950
Materials
Velvet and metal
Order this imageCollection
Chartwell, Kent
NT 1102826
Caption
Sir Winston Churchill (1874–1965) amassed a large wardrobe of uniforms and pieces of state dress during his long political career. However, an item of clothing he particularly valued was his ‘siren suit’, which he is credited with inventing. Based on the boiler suit, this practical all-in-one garment featured useful breast and side pockets, and a long zip down the front so it could easily be put on and taken off. The siren suit acquired its name during the Second World War – its practical design making it easy to put on before dashing to a shelter as an air-raid siren sounded. It provided a warm, protective extra layer, especially at night. Churchill’s suits were made in a variety of fabrics for different purposes by tailors Turnbull & Asser, London, and he was equally happy wearing them while painting or when meeting foreign dignitaries. Emma Slocombe
Summary
Red velvet siren suit, one piece with zip and pockets, in good order.
Exhibition history
Churchill - De Gaulle, Musée de l’Armee Invalides, Paris, France, 2015, no.174
References
Churchill - De Gaulle, Musee de l'Armee Invalides, Paris, 10 April - 26 July 2015, cat 174, pp. 191. Antrobus and Slocombe 2025: Helen Antrobus and Emma Slocombe, 100 Things to Wear: Fashion from the collections of the National Trust, National Trust 2025, pp. 182-183.