CC41 NOS Gents High Knee Socks UK6

CC41 NOS Gents High Knee Socks 

New old stock 

The CC41 mark was introduced in 1941 as part of Britain’s Utility Clothing Scheme during the Second World War. Administered by the Board of Trade, the scheme aimed to ensure fair distribution and conserve resources like fabric, wool, and buttons in the face of shortages. The mark—two stylized interlocking Cs—stood for “Controlled Commodity” or possibly “Civilian Clothing 1941,” though its exact meaning remains unclear due to lost official records. All garments that met the strict design and material regulations bore the CC41 label, signaling that they were affordable, durable, and exempt from certain taxes. Prominent designers, including Hardy Amies and Norman Hartnell, were enlisted to contribute fashionable yet functional designs within the Utility guidelines. The scheme ensured quality clothing at regulated prices for all social classes, with around 85% of all civilian clothing produced under the Utility program. Although clothing rationing ended in 1949, the CC41 mark remained in use until 1952, after which it was phased out as post-war fashion and consumer choice returned. Today, CC41 is recognized not only as a symbol of wartime thrift but also of British design ingenuity under pressure.