I have a coat that must have been custom made as it has no makers label. It belonged to my great aunt in law. She was born in 1901, and lived a very elegant life...everything she owned was the best. Her name is on the label with the number 3901 or 3907 below it. The inside pocket below the label is trimmed in a sort of rick rack style. It is in very good condition. Can anyone tell me the date or origin of this coat based on this information and the photos?
camel hair coat, no maker label but fabulous lining
- Thread starter Blondie
- Start date
Pinkcoke
Alumni
I agree it looks custom made, from the pattern of the lining quilting I'd suggest it was made in the orient, perhaps while she was visiting on holiday. The style is conservative, it was popular to have things made like this in the East in the early 1960's but this style of coat could stretch all the way to the 1980's. May I ask do you know when she passed on?
That's a really pretty coat. The style is a classic that has been seen in many eras. Your great aunt in law had very nice taste and the quality looks very nice too.
Her name being monogrammed on the label was a feature that I have seen in quite a few late 70s to early 80s coats that I have handled with the exception of those that I have handled have had the designer's name below the monogram rather than the number yours has. That number could possibly be the designer's name though, number that identifies the designer, or the style number of the coat.
The trapunto quilted lining is beautiful and is another feature I have also seen in coats from the same time frame as well. The coat looks like it might have a french hem which would be open along the bottom allowing you to view inside to see the opposite side of the lining and coat fabric.
If there is a french hem you can try peeking inside to see if there is any stamping that may indicate fabric origin, fabric maker, fabric type, or other information, and you can also try feeling inside both the exterior pockets as well as the inside pocket for any other identifying labels that may further help to lead you to finding out more information about your lovely coat.
Her name being monogrammed on the label was a feature that I have seen in quite a few late 70s to early 80s coats that I have handled with the exception of those that I have handled have had the designer's name below the monogram rather than the number yours has. That number could possibly be the designer's name though, number that identifies the designer, or the style number of the coat.
The trapunto quilted lining is beautiful and is another feature I have also seen in coats from the same time frame as well. The coat looks like it might have a french hem which would be open along the bottom allowing you to view inside to see the opposite side of the lining and coat fabric.
If there is a french hem you can try peeking inside to see if there is any stamping that may indicate fabric origin, fabric maker, fabric type, or other information, and you can also try feeling inside both the exterior pockets as well as the inside pocket for any other identifying labels that may further help to lead you to finding out more information about your lovely coat.
I own a cashmere coat in my personal closet with a similar lining and it has a Hong Kong tailors' label. I believe it was Peter Pan tailors, and the owner's name is embroidered in it. It is sort of a Is it Lipstick Red?/Is it Fuschia? color and the lining definitely is the odd choice of reddish orange in comparison. I am not saying yours is from the same tailor - there are many - but the all of the stitching in the lining of mine is very similar to yours. S lot of these tailors copied whatever the customer wanted pretty much. Based on the label of mine, bracelet length sleeves, et al, I dated mine to the 60s. The style of the lapels of mine differs quite a bit from yours. I always love how well made they are. I bought mine for a steal because the color was very hard to photograph (it glowed like a beacon), so I took a gamble that the color would be better than the pics. It was. Anyway, I would guess it is similar in origin to mine, as Pinkcole suggests, rather than a "name" designer form Europe or the US.
OSH!!! Chris!! Hello!!!!! 
Let me just elaborate on my last post a little bit regarding monograms. Monograms are often embroidered on the linings of coats and have been for a very long time.
I was referring to the monogram being embroidered on the maker's label rather than being embroidered directly on the lining.
I was referring to the monogram being embroidered on the maker's label rather than being embroidered directly on the lining.
I have looked in the pockets, inside and out and see an orange imprint that looks like this with the info enclosed in a box. I tried to make this clear just using my keyboard so its not perfect:
________
| INS YDS |
| 4 X 50 |
also printed next to it is a seal of some sort, but it is worn enough that I cannot make out the details. This is the only evidence of wear on the coat. I don't think she wore it very often.
I looked at the hem, and although I don't know what a french hem is, the lining hem is done by hand. The coat hem has a trim of lining on it...so well done. I just marvel at the craftsmanship that went into this.
I would wear it, but the style and color do not suit my wardrobe, which is quite casual. I am thinking of moving it on so if you can give me some ideas on that I would appreciate it.
________
| INS YDS |
| 4 X 50 |
also printed next to it is a seal of some sort, but it is worn enough that I cannot make out the details. This is the only evidence of wear on the coat. I don't think she wore it very often.
I looked at the hem, and although I don't know what a french hem is, the lining hem is done by hand. The coat hem has a trim of lining on it...so well done. I just marvel at the craftsmanship that went into this.
I would wear it, but the style and color do not suit my wardrobe, which is quite casual. I am thinking of moving it on so if you can give me some ideas on that I would appreciate it.
Pinkcoke
Alumni
That mark seems to indicate how much fabric was originally on one roll, I would guess there is a digit missing next to the 4 and it read something like 40"x 50yds. The mark just happened to end up on the inside of your coat. The seal would have been the logo of the maker of the fabric, in all likelihood.
Hi back
Hi CHris, it's been awhile, nice to see you here!
I have also had a cashmere coat like this same sort of lining & made in Hong Kong too.
I have also had a cashmere coat like this same sort of lining & made in Hong Kong too.
Rue_de_la_Paix
VFG Member
I only want to add that it looks very 1960s to me. Since the style is so classic, I am looking at the buttons for closer dating. That style of large "blob" button with a depressed center and made of that same type of lucite or plastic was seen a lot on coats and jackets of the mid to late 1960s. I own several 1960s coats with the very same buttons as on your coat, just a different color.
Just thought it might be clue.
Just thought it might be clue.