From the 1930s, a jet-black velvet jacket with dramatic lined hood and coordinating full-circle skirt.

V-neck, zip-front jacket has shimmering striped lining of green, rust brown, and cream; defined waist, with shirring under the bust going all the way round. Triple darts atop each short sleeve, plus tiny pads in each sleeve head. Lined at waist, hood, and sleeves only, with Hong Kong seams on the sleeve interiors. Other seams are pinked.

Full-circle skirt of lightweight shimmering taffeta in a rich, sophisticated shade that's not quite slate gray, not quite mink brown. Rust-brown wide waistband coordinates with the stripes in the jacket hood. Closes at back with a snap and two hooks&eyes. Two thread loops can hold a belt, if you choose. Pinked seams, hem tape. And to top it all off, side-seam pockets! Simply divine.

This versatile outfit would work not only as a set for formal occasions, but each piece can be paired with any number of other pieces, both formal and casual.

Fashion History Museum (Toronto) Curator Jonathan Walford tells us this set is from 1939.

Although we show the skirt with different size crinolines (not included), according to Mr. Walford, it was originally meant to be worn with only a small petticoat, rather than the super-full crinolines popular a decade later. How you choose to wear it is entirely up to you.

Labels: "Original Design" with "Patent Applied For"
(this may be an attempt to ride the coat tails of the Fashion Originators Guild.

Fiber/Care: unmarked, most likely rayon, velvet feels like a cotton blend, linings may contain silk, skirt feels like taffeta of unknown fiber (probably rayon, possibly silk or a blend), dry-clean only

Condition: overall, quite good. we've stitched shut an open seam on top of one sleeve, replaced a missing hook, and stitched down a few areas where the black lining was fraying at the edge. there are several small holes in the striped lining, mostly on the interior placket (the worst is shown in the photos and measures 8mmx3mm). there are several holes in the left sleeve lining and at the back portion of the waist lining. the zipper works, but can be a bit stubborn. original belt is missing.

no major flaws and nothing that shows or affects wear. you will need to treat this outfit gently, but it's quite wearable, and survived regular (not specialty) dry-cleaning without issue.

*We've had this jacket and skirt set professionally dry-cleaned and it is ready to wear.*

Garment Measurements:
- ignore the size 12 label and go by the numbers below -
JACKET -
shoulders: 13"/33cm
sleeves: 10"/25.5cm
bust: 36"/91.5cm
ribs: 30"/76cm
waist: 26"/66cm
shoulder to hem: 16"/40.5cm
hood: 18"/45.5cm across (floppy and dramatic)
SKIRT -
waist: 26"/66cm (can't go bigger, easily made smaller)
hips: free
length: 31"/78.5cm
sweep: full circle+

☞ Our items are not newly manufactured "vintage style" pieces. They are true vintage, at least 20 years old. Please read condition report provided above. ☜

Note to International Customers: Significant overages in shipping fees (where applicable) will be refunded. You are responsible for any taxes or import fees.

Original Design

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