1910s or 1920s outfit?

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

This golden outfit looks sooo Suffragette to me. The fabric feels like a rayon... its smooth and drape-y. The tone-on-tone label was difficult for me to read but I finally figured out that it is Carson Pirie Scott Co. Apparently this was quite a department store in Chicago. Carson and Pirie founded the store in 1854 and Scott joined them in 1890.

Is this outfit teens or 20's? It's two pieces, a skirt and jacket, so is it simply called a suit? Lots of pockets. The pockets on the jacket are rather unusual: a pocket over a pocket.

Thanks,
~Donna

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Hello! First, I am in love with that suit. I would call it a suit, likely for spring and summer. It dates from the later WWI Era. Looks right for 1917. They were doing a lot of unique and varied pocket treatments in the 'Teens and yours shows a great example of that. It is fabulous.

 

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

Thank you very much, Barbara. My experience with anything pre-1940's is very limited. I was so happy to find this.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

You are most welcome. I am wondering if the fabric could be a heavy cotton sateen? Is it a woven fabric or is it more like a knit (like a silk jersey)? I love the mustard color. Makes me think of mustard gas, which was used so much in WWI.

 

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

Definitely not cotton. Now that you mention it, very possibly a fine silk jersey. Soft, with wonderful drape, and definite sheen.

 

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

And rather lightweight.

 

[Jonathan]

I know someone who is looking for a summerweight suit from WW1 era - let me know when you list it and I will alert her.
Jonathan

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

What a beautiful suit!

 

[The Vintage Merchant]

what a beautiful suit, Donna! congratulations on an exquisite acquisition!

 

[Lady Scarletts]

Beautiful suit! Looks like its in amazing condition. Id say late teens. Good luck

 

[pastperfect2]

What a great suit! And an unusual color. I agree, 1917-1919. Carson Pirie Scott had wonderful things.

 

[cmpollack]

What a beauty! Golden is absolutely the right word to describe it... :sunshine:

It looks to be in wonderful condition, too!

 

[Midge]

Beautiful - love the color, and it looks like it's in excellent condition!

Karin

 

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

Thank you for all the nice compliments!

As I said, my experience with pre-1940s garments is limited, hence I come here for dating/confirmation on anything that may be out of my realm of comfort. I appreciate the opinions and advice.

As to condition, the fabric integrity is excellent, no holes or worn spots (other than the wear on the inner waistline stuff). However, there are several dark spots scattered over the garment ranging in size from pencil-point to pencil eraser. I will not be attempting any sort of cleaning. The fabric is definitely a fine knit, likely either silk or rayon, I suppose.

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

The fabric reads like a silk: it's very beautiful. It's unlikely to be rayon as they weren't using it for ladieswear at this early stage.

 

[StelmaDesigns]

What a fantastic piece! Just had to chime in

Julia

 

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

I've been trying to research this garment further and came across this photo of Chanel's "Costumes de jersey" casual wear of 1917. Could my garment have been modeled after these?

 

[Jonathan]

Silk jersey (lisle) was already a popular material for making women's sportier styles of fashions when Chanel offered jersey clothes at her shop in Deauville, which was a summer resort town. I have an American dress from 1914-15 that is made of silk jersey.

 

[Better Dresses Vintage]

Gorgeous suit, and I agree that the suits in the illustration share a similar nautical vibe. Great find!!

 

[Midge]

Coming back to this... I have just blogged a bunch of ladies' magazines from 1914 and 1915, and one of the 1915 issues shows some outfits that remind me very much of this one: http://dollsfashionart.blogspot.ch/2014/01/films-magazines-and-more-of-hundred.html

Karin