Fred should look fine and Dandy

WORK is under way to create one of the centrepieces for an exhibition to tell the story of the unique fashions of Lowestoft's Dockside Dandies.

The brightly-coloured suits worn by the port's fishermen in the early 1960s are the inspiration behind an upcoming exhibition and now a replica outfit is being made.

Norwich tailor Robert Oliver has already measured Lowestoft College student Fred Hoffman so that the suit, which will be lilac with pleats and black trimmings, can be made in time for a parade in Lowestoft in early July.

The project has also involved some of the pubs which were favourite haunts of the town's fishermen, with both the Mariner's Rest and the Triangle Tavern raising money to pay for the suit material.

Artist Peter Wylie, who has already secured National Lottery funding through Arts Council England for the Dockside Dandies project, said he has been working closely with Lowestoft College to pull the exhibition together.

'Hopefully this whole project will generate some really good feeling in Lowestoft and set the precedent for other projects to happen in the future.

'It's brilliant that all these people have put money, time and effort forward to get the suit made, it will be an important part of the exhibition,' he said.

The fashion of wearing brightly-coloured suits took off among the port's young seagoing men in the early 1960s and at the height of the trend about 100 men were spending their hard earned cash on the suits which were handmade in every colour pattern and design.

Mr Wylie, who grew up in a Lowestoft fishing family and now lives in London, has been researching the trend for some time and has spoken to dozens of former Lowestoft fishermen in preparation for his project.

The finished exhibition will be on show in Lowestoft this summer.