Bib Front Western Shirt?

[Harry Faversham]

No such thing as a daft question... but this'll come pretty close!
Anywhere in Blighty where I might glean a Bib Front Western Shirt in fat bastard size?
 

[bulldogger2000]

https://www.historicalemporium.com/store/002758.php?gclid=CNrF6tam6dMCFZ2KswodLowEbA


I've ordered several from here.  Good quality clothe although the buttons stitching will need to be strengthened.

[mweaver]

"...although the buttons stitching will need to be strengthened."

That seems true of pretty much any shirts I buy these days.

-Michael

[FramFramson]

What was the original purpose of such a shirt, I wonder?

[Harry Faversham]

What was the original purpose of such a shirt, I wonder?

  Well, this a tad radical... I was actually finkin' of wearing it! 

[Plynkes]

What was the original purpose of such a shirt, I wonder?

Extra warmth against the wind, I believe. Probably caught on more because it was a military style, though (it's like the reversible plastron-front of a lancer's jacket), and people thought it made them look cool. I've often seen them referred to as "fireman shirts" too, implying they were a popular uniform for early fire departments. Again, probably because they were military-looking.

[bulldogger2000]

Originally worn as a fire service uniform shirt in the UK, it caught on in the USA with various fire departments.