Care/Repair for 1960s (?) Belson wool swing coat?

sherlockfreak

Registered Guest
I just acquired a vintage wool swing coat. Label "Fasioned by Belson." I haven't been able to find any information on this company online, just other coats for sale with the same label, and a few old print ads featuring their coats at different stores.

I'm wanting to clean or refresh the coat. Also, the lining (acetate according to one similar coat's listing on etsy, but I don't know for sure) is torn in the right sleeve--armpit area. I'd like to get this repaired, or know if it can't be, and the coat just needs to be relined instead.

This is the first vintage item I've had that needs a little tlc. Any help would be appreciated!
(I apologize for the pictures being sideways, I'm posting from my tablet and I'm not sure why they're uploading that way--the original pics aren't. I'll try to fix it from my laptop.)

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I wouldn't expect acetate in that quality of coat, and it doesn't look like acetate to me from here, but it can different in hand.

The armhole can be repaired as it looks as though the fabric is intact and only the thread stitching has been ripped out. If the coat lining has an open hem is it an easier job to get to to sew back together from the inside (you can even match the holes up on this thicker satin), if it doesn't then part of the lining will need to be undone at the edge to allow access for repair.
I do this repair a lot and it's a good one to learn if you have some sewing skills as I often find coats that have been badly repaired from the outside of the lining, which puts more holes in it and gives a messy 'frankenstein' look to the armhole seam. Repairing it from this side also tends to tighten the 'joint' and cause more damage when it is worn again, so worth redoing.
 
I agree with Melanie, the lining does not look like acetate. It is likely a rayon satin or similar satin. Acetate will usually look and feel more like taffeta.

From the photo you show, it does not look to be a swing coat. But we do not see the back so perhaps it is. It is lovely.
 
Pinkcoke and Rue de la Paix, thank you both! Like I said, I've not been able to find out ANYTHING about this coat, haha. Looking at the lining, I think you're both right about the lining being satin. I thought I put in the picture of the back of the coat, oops! Here's the back. If you definitely think it's not a swing coat, I'd love to know what it actually is/should be called. (And again, sorry about the pic being sideways.)
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So, with those replies, I think I can tackle the lining repair--it is just that the seam stitching came undone.

Any thoughts about cleaning? Would dry cleaning be a good idea? Should I NOT dry clean as it's so old? Would a different method be better?
 
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