Bernard Cowan Pantsuit with Kon Tiki (?) photo print....dating help and cleaning guidance requested.

laurenm

laurenm

Registered Guest
Hello Everyone,
This is a wacky pant suit (I love it and wish it fit me!).
1. I am assuming a bell bottom suit is 1970s and the label is in French and English which puts it there too...but want to confirm the date.
2. I think that is the Kon Tiki....any thoughts?
3. There are some stains on the front that I want to try and get out, but am intimidated by the 'Dry Clean Only' tag and am wondering why a 100% cotton garment like this would need to be dry clean only.

In looking up the label, I found one reference from "Poppy's Vintage" to Bernard Cowan....what a great dress you have there! But don't find any other info on the label.

Thanks alot,
Lauren
 

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It's dry clean only because that print will likely deteoriate with the rough & tumble of machine washing. You may be alright with hand wash. The bottoms without print I would say you could machine wash.
It's fab :wub: what size?
 
That is cool! For sure late 60s to early 70s.

I am pretty fearless when it comes to washing cotton. I would try to spot if first, lay a clean white towel between the front & the back & put some Shout or something like that on it & then some soap & then blot it & rinse with a clean cloth. If you get really brave & want to lay it flat in some cold water try testing the colors first. You should be OK to hand wash the pants.
 
I would think that Bernard Cowan was a clothing manufacturer most likely based in Montreal or Toronto...there were so many of them here in the Montreal.

Actually, I just quickly did a search and there still is a Bernard Cowan Co. out of Toronto link broken before the word company

www.profilecanada.com/ companydetail.cfm?company=2529021_Bernard_Cowan_Co_Toronto_ON
 
I see late 1960's to 1971. But I am not a dealer in this time period's clothing, although I was a young girl then and remember a lot of 60's fashions as I had 2 older sisters who were pretty stylin'.

I forgot to add I LOVE those pants!
 
thanks everyone for all the links and info...i'm attempting to clean it as we speak.
@ melanie: it has a 7/8 sizing but I'd say it's probably a modern 2-4....
I was reading that thor heyerdahl did the Ra and Ra 2 expeditions in 1969-70 and there was a movie out in 1972 about it...maybe this suit was inspired by Thors resurfacing?
I love sailor pants!
 
What a fun outfit! Although the Kon-Tiki does make late 60s a possibility, I'm more inclined to say early 70s (or if 60s, very late, like maybe '69). Melanie has hit the nail on the head with the dry cleaning meant to preserve what is likely a screen print--which will indeed deteriorate with washing. If you can spot clean the top, and hand wash the bottoms, you'll probably be OK. But I would not try to wash the top at all....
 
Hi All,
so in my searchings for more info, I found the Kon Tiki Museum in Norway and wrote to them regarding the suit and they would like it for the museum as they have a 'cultural references' area .....the curator there said it's Kon Tiki for sure. He does talks/lectures about Thor Heyerdahl and thought he might wear it sometimes....til I told him about the size. I also learned about an interesting ecological awareness promotion that Thor's grandson has been involved in "Plastiki"....the places vintage clothes take you...I love it!!
Thanks for all your input
 
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