Dating crochet

[Vmode]

Hi all,

Can anyone offer some dating tips for crochet garments, aside from natural/synthetic fibres, and obvious era characteristics? I bought this gilet online assuming it would be '60s/70s, but actually feels earlier now I'm handling it. Fine cotton, hand worked very nicely, with no fastenings. When laid flat and aligned properly, the hem is straight (ie not dipping down as in the mannequin image here). As much as I'd like to think it's Edwardian, the design doesn't seem ornate enough..

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

These are still being made so can be quite hard to date - and in your excellent photos it's looking quite recent to me.

I would measure it up as that can give an indication of era - eg, I'd measure the bust across the back, and also at the hem and most importantly measure the armscye as they can change at different times. A smaller armscye could indicate '60s or earlier, larger and I would expect it to be more modern. However, the size will adapt for a larger bust measurements are arms are bigger too.