Bullocks Wilshire Coat Dress, hmmm

[Villa]

I don't really know what to think about this one. It is a coat dress, as the zip only goes 2/3rds of the way down, though it looks like an actual coat to me. After looking more closely at it I'm thinking it could be 60's I guess, though when I first got it, I assumed it was somewhat newer. I know Bullock's Wilshire went out of business in 93, and it definitely feels older than that. I think it is a wool crepe, with a nylon zip, and a very nicely finished interior. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!!

OK, I am having trouble adding pics, I'll try to add them in a following post.

 

[Villa]

Oh, and also, help with descriptions/identifications of fur (rabbit?) and type of needlework.

 

[joules]

I'd place the coat in the late 60s to early 70s. Probably 70s, actually, by the length.
That is soutache trim.

As the apostrophe is in the store name, that is one more clue that it's older, and from the main store.
Also, I had a 60s Bullock's Wilshire coat with the same version of the label.

 

[Jonathan]

I would have said it was a winter white midi coat, c. 1969-70 Very Dr. Zhivago inspired.

 

[joules]

Makes perfect sense, Jonathan.

 

[Villa]

Thanks guys!

 

[Villa]

But the thing is, it's a dress, not a coat, right? With the way the zip doesn't go all the way down. Would it be worn as a dress, even though it looks like a coat?

 

[furwise]

Hmmm...I guess this could be a dress with the partial zipper.
My thoughts on dating would be late 60s. The shape of the coat or dress, the set in straight sleeves, as well as the label itself puts me right there. I see a bit of a tapered look at he waist and it looks like there's a half belt in the back. If it were later I would expect to see a more fitted waist and wider flared bottom or sweep.
The collar and the cuffs look like Tourmaline Mink fur to me. If you show some closer views of the collar and the cuffs I can tell you more conclusively.

Edited to add that I did see a trend of partially zippered coat dresses in newspaper ads in the later 60s. The ones shown in this ad are shorter and not quite the same style but are from 1967 and show some zippered coat dresses.

and then this link below shows a 60s Vogue pattern with a partially zippered coat dress that again is not exact in length and style but closer and has a half belt in back;

https://www.etsy.com/listing/156857769/1960s-vogue-2023-couturier-design?ref=market

 

[cmpollack]

Lovely, and I think it is indeed a dress. I had a 60s fur trimmed wool coat and dress set (from another VFGer!), and the long-sleeved dress was the same (heavy) weight fabric as the coat, with a huge band of fur around the hem, while the matching coat had fur trim at the cuffs.

The partial zip in your garment really seems to indicate that it wasn't meant to be slipped on and off all day long!

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Agree with dress - in the shoulders you can see bra keepers. That suggests it was worn over underwear, rather than outerwear.

 

[joules]

Yes, it is what we used to call a coat dress, so everyone is correct.

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

I love coat dresses - they get a whole section in my new book. I want to revive the style as it's such a good one for winter.

 

[cmpollack]

I love coat dresses too! I wonder if climate change has anything to do with why they fell out of fashion? Or maybe we just set our thermostats too high in the winter! (Is that anything you speculate on at all in your book, Nicole? )

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Carrie, you're right - I think it has to do with central heating. That's also why vintage coats are so big compared to modern ones: they were designed to be worn over many layers. Our winter wardrobes have changed a lot over the past few decades.

 

[Villa]

Interesting!!