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Help dating a Lilli Ann suit

Discussion in 'PUBLIC Vintage Fashion - Ask Questions Get Answers' started by Bbradl, Jan 15, 2022.

  1. Bbradl

    Bbradl Registered Guest

    Trying to date this Lilli Ann Designed in Paris 2-piece suit. Not sure if it is 50’s or 60’s. Can anyone help?


    E63AFE5B-759E-4154-AB99-EC44BA973578.jpeg 2DC195CB-690B-4F3E-8B12-84EA24A150F9.jpeg
     
  2. Ranch Queen Vintage

    Ranch Queen Vintage Administrator

    I love the interesting seaming and hip details! I'm leaning towards a 1970s dating, partially for the shape/size of the fur collar and also because the only other era I've seen this skirt shape in Lilli Ann suits is '40s New Look. Seeing more photos of the shoulders on the jacket and the the skirt on its own would be helpful.

    Do check out this informative two-part blog by @No Accounting For Taste. Some really good tips for label and style dating.
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2022
  3. Rue_de_la_Paix

    Rue_de_la_Paix VFG Member

    Looks late 40s early 1950s to me. But I also would like to see the actual shoulders under the fur.
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2022
  4. Bbradl

    Bbradl Registered Guest

    4A30886F-1FDC-4538-B555-B54ED70106C5.jpeg 56CF502F-8295-4DB0-B1CB-8BB780BCAA3E.jpeg C77080F8-C94D-4EA0-8238-1A4EE860FB76.jpeg
    The skirt had me puzzled due to the zipper not being metal. Perhaps someone replaced it. Thank you for your help.
     
  5. Ranch Queen Vintage

    Ranch Queen Vintage Administrator

    Can you please show full-length images of the skirt hanging + zipper and waist closure, full-length jacket back view. Also, please note that this label is machine stitched which would likely indicate a later date. And oops, I neglected to add the link to the blog I mentioned above that might help you with dating.
     
  6. Bbradl

    Bbradl Registered Guest

    77591252-4B18-411B-ACA7-31A3DFC4FAC6.jpeg 92DD3E1D-A36C-48B8-9450-0144A04560B8.jpeg 178C20C6-DEEA-4353-BC32-6E8AB33D1397.jpeg 193739B3-C78E-4D77-B073-426F1F633555.jpeg
    I just read that on the stitching on the labels!! Very helpful blog! Thank you!

    77591252-4B18-411B-ACA7-31A3DFC4FAC6.jpeg 92DD3E1D-A36C-48B8-9450-0144A04560B8.jpeg 178C20C6-DEEA-4353-BC32-6E8AB33D1397.jpeg 193739B3-C78E-4D77-B073-426F1F633555.jpeg
     
  7. Bbradl

    Bbradl Registered Guest

    a better view of shoulders with collar up

    5EB2D964-9342-4582-B090-FE4DAE828B04.jpeg
     
  8. poppysvintageclothing

    poppysvintageclothing VFG Board Member Staff Member VFG Past President

    I am seeing 1950s but this is a tough one!
     
    Bbradl likes this.
  9. I see style aspects of the 50s, but the back zipper is making it 70s. Plus the A line full skirt.
     
  10. This is great! Feels early to mid-70s to me - is there a union label in the side of the jacket? Screen Shot 2022-01-19 at 7.30.39 PM.png
     
  11. The Vintage Merchant

    The Vintage Merchant Administrator Staff Member

    @ the zipper: does it sit to the side? or, is it a center back zip? sometimes they just get accidentally mis-placed on a mannequin. If it has a skirt label, that should sit to the center back.
     
  12. Rue_de_la_Paix

    Rue_de_la_Paix VFG Member

    Yes, a bit of a head scratcher. I do not have a problem with an A line skirt for the 1950s, but of course that plastic zipper would not be common. And the placement of the zipper is a clue, as has been said.

    I recall this general style circa the mid 70s, but the jackets of many of those 70s suits were not so well constructed and stylish as this one is. It nips in at the waist, has broad shoulders and the placement and shape of that beautiful seaming and unusual faux pocket treatment is not typical of 1970s jackets. But then is IS a Lilli Ann!
     
  13. Ranch Queen Vintage

    Ranch Queen Vintage Administrator

    After seeing the skirt details, I'm even more convinced about a '70s dating due to the width of the waistband, the type of button closure with a pointed vs squared edge. In the earlier Lilli Ann suits I've handled, the waistband would have been narrower, with a single narrow flap covering the metal side zipper, as opposed to two flaps meeting in the center like this one.

    But, I'm with you Barbara, the unique jacket detailing is definitely a throwback to an earlier era.
     
  14. Rue_de_la_Paix

    Rue_de_la_Paix VFG Member

    Marsha,

    I thought that too, about the wider "70s" waistband. But that jacket!! Any era, it is gorgeous.
     
    Ranch Queen Vintage likes this.
  15. Bbradl

    Bbradl Registered Guest

    No there is no union label.
     
  16. Bbradl

    Bbradl Registered Guest

    it is a center back zipper and no label in the skirt.
     

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