Date and fur ID of a dress and cape

[acceber]

Found this incredible gem at an estate sale. At first I thought it was a coat but it appears to be a fur dress, possibly, with a matching cape. Thank you for your help!

 

[themerchantsofvintage]

Beautiful. I think it is American Processed Broadtail Lamb. It is hardier than regular broadtail lamb. The pelts are from older sheep and sheared to look like broadtail.

I’m sure our fur expert will be along to verify.

I also think they are both coats/outerwear. Perhaps the cape would be worn on chillier days or by itself with an evening dress.

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

How elegant with the cape. I agree with broadtail. The fur around the bottom of the cape looks like mink or perhaps sable.

I see late 50s or early 60s era wise.

 

[acceber]

Thank you! I wasn’t so sure it was a dress as it has closures the same as other old fur coats I’ve run across. The fur around the cape is sooooo soft and luxurious!

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Wow, that is stunning. It looks like broadtail lamb to me, not processed but true baby or pre-natal lamb. Is the coat/ coatdress thick or is it lighter and pliable supple in feel?

Just a wonderful thing to find. Love the color and styling.

 

[acceber]

One of the cuffs has come undone so it’s possible to see inside under the lining. I think this is from a real lamb. The underside feels like a very soft and supple leather.

 

[BonniesVintageClothesLine]

Gorgeous! Great find! I think Mary Jane may be right about that trim fur. But our Fur Expert will know for sure. It looks a bit like sable.

 

[furwise]

That is beautiful. I would date it to the 70s, that is sable trim, and the lamb is broadtail.

This does indeed look VERY much like American processed broadtail. Deborah if you check back in would you mind if I should a portion of yours side by side to give a comparison with this one?

 

[themerchantsofvintage]

Happy you took a peek, Caryn

I now see the difference - I got caught up in the colour as it is similar to my processed one.

Yes please do a side by side comparison!

 

[furwise]

Ok, so here we go.

Deborah had previously shown this beautiful lamb coat on the left which is durable, very soft, and has been processed and sheared to look like Acceber's cape and undercoat which is natural broadtail.

I think you can see how much they really look alike and while it may be a little difficult because they do look so much alike you may also be able to see the difference too.