CC41, short for "Civilian Control 1941," was a British government initiative introduced during World War II to regulate clothing production and ensure fair distribution of garments amidst wartime shortages. Implemented by the Board of Trade, the scheme aimed to conserve raw materials and streamline manufacturing by standardizing clothing designs and restricting excessive decoration or wasteful use of fabric. Garments produced under this scheme bore the distinctive "CC41" label, featuring twin utility symbols resembling two cheeses or Pac-Man figures back-to-back. These utility clothes were designed to be practical, affordable, and durable, making fashion accessible despite rationing. The CC41 mark became a symbol of wartime resilience and post-war austerity, remaining in use until the early 1950s.
