Pre-metric British clothing sizes

[Mk VII]

Denims (so-called, only the first issues were actually made of denim material) were intended to be worn on top of the serge blouse-and-trousers as protective clothing for fatigue duties, and the size labels reflected this. In reality, they were almost never used in this way, and generations of soldiers were puzzled to find labels that bore no apparent relation to the fit. For similar reasons, some of the trousers were made with slits that allowed you access to the pockets of the trousers you were supposedly wearing underneath. Most people sew these up again, as they either exposed your keks to the world or prompted you to drop your money down inside where it collected on top of your gaiters.