Jaeger was established in 1883 by Lewis Tomalin, a London businessman who believed in the health benefits of wearing only animal fiber clothing as advocated by a German doctor, Gustav Jaeger. Tomalin acquired the rights to Jaeger’s name and imported clothing from Germany. After five years, he began manufacturing the clothing in Britain.
In the late 1920s, Jaeger changed their focus from health to fashion, and completely updated their image. They began to make and sell co-ordinated ensembles that could be mixed and matched.
Jaeger continued to make clothing exclusively from wool until 1953, when they used other fabrics for the first time. Jean Muir worked at Jaeger from 1956 to 1961.
In the 1990s, Jaeger seemed to be losing ground to labels with a more hip image. Designer Bella Freud was brought in to update Jaeger’s look. The company went into receivership in 2017 with retailer Marks & Spencer acquiring the brand in January 2021.
*Tidbit: The multi-line Jaeger logo was developed in 1935.
Written by RetroRuthUK
See vintage Jaeger from VFG members on Etsy (paid link)
from an early 1900 health blanket
Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing
from a 1920s waist coat
Courtesy of CircaVintage
from a 1920s pair of wool cullotes
Courtesy of tickeryboo
from a 1960s dress
Courtesy of kittycatsilver
from a 1960s lurex dress
Courtesy of vintage-voyager.com
from a 1960s scarf
Courtesy of vintage-voyager.com
from a 1970s sweater/cardigan
Courtesy of homecomforts
from a 1970s sweater
Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage
from a 1970s skirt suit
Courtesy of RetroRuth UK
from a 1970s skirt suit
Courtesy of RetroRuthUK
from a 1970s skirt
Courtesy of RetroRuth UK
from a 1980s two piece dress
Courtesy of bartondoll
from a 1980s men’s jacket
Courtesy of RetroRuth UK
from a 1980s sweater
Courtesy of sues*stuff
from a late 1980s dress
Courtesy of bartondoll
from a 1980s blouse
Courtesy of rockvintagesoul
from a 1980s/1990s womens jacket
Courtesy of Mimi58
from a 2000s jacket
Courtesy of CatwalkCreativeVintage
