Dating a wool coat - 1950s or repro?

B

bl00dmuffin

Registered Guest
I'm by no means an expert in vintage fashion, but I am curious as to whether this beautiful wool coat I bought from a thrift store ($10!) is true vintage. Unfortunately there are no tags at all on the garment, so I don't know the brand or the fabric content. There is a small split in the lining underneath the left arm hole that makes me think there could have been a tag there at one time. The only identifying marks are a circular imprint on the lining.

dress 1.jpg

The patches are a nice velveteen.

dress 2.jpg

This is printed many times on the lining. Not sure what it is. If you can't see it, it's four circles with dots in the middle arranged in a diamond pattern; the two in the middle overlap.

dress 3.jpg

I don't know what this fabric is. It's located underneath the liner and makes me think that the coat isn't new.

Any information on this piece would be greatly appreciated!
 
That is a fabulous coat and by the styling and the fabric (are those squares velvet or a different sort of wool?) and with that sort of inner burlap lining it looks old to me.

The wool looks a lot like Blin and Blin wool from your photos, this was a high quality wool.

Looks to be from the very late 40s or early 50s as it has kind of the "New Look" that Dior came up with it at that time.

Hopefully, someone will know what the circle print on the lining may indicate.

Looks like you got a great bargain at $10:cheer:
 
Thanks a bunch! The squares are a sort of velveteen-like material. I did notice that the wool is different from others I've seen; the individual fibers are longer and softer than I'm used to seeing. I'm thrilled to have bought a vintage coat in such good condition for such a low price!
 
WOW -

Great sleuthing -and what a terrific find and fabulous coat! I think Lilli Ann can be hard to date because they used a similar silhouette for many years. I have a Lilli Ann jacket that I thought was earlier when I bought it but it has the post 1955 Union Label.
 
I see a lot of misdated Lilli Anns - thankfully there is so much material about, it can really help. Classic styles can be hard because they don't change as fast as other fashions. I think some sellers seem to automatically date all Lilli Anns as '40s unless they're obviously much more modern - the recent thread on that pleated jacket was an eye opener with dates covering almost twenty years, but the adverts don't lie.
 
I would have thought those circles printed on the lining was just a pattern like they print Brand logos on lining fabric now. Perhaps somebody may recognise it though. You could try taking a cropped picture of it and submitting it into the google search by image - but the results can be hit or miss I've found. One straight on with clear contrast would be best.
 
It's finds like those that keep me going back to op shops for my vintage finds! Yes, you have to look longer and harder, and yes, you might get a garment that's a little worse for wear and in need of some TLC, but the thrill of the hunt is so much more. And I find that I've learnt more along the way about how to date, care for and repair my finds. Each to their own though, I love online shopping just as much!
It's a gorgeous jacket, such a classic beautiful line.
 
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