Geometric-colorful skirt - your thoughts?

Midge

Midge

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Staff member
I bought this skirt at the Caritas shop just before I left for my holiday. They change their shop windows every month, and while something is on display in the shop window, it can't be sold, but they always put a sign with sizes and prices, and from which day on the things go on sale. So I walked by this skirt for a month, always thinking how great it looked and liking the bright colors, and being sure that it would sell right away (the shop opens in the morning only after I'm already supposed to be at work). But it wasn't, and I managed to buy it in the evening!

I have no idea about it's age, and I've never seen a fabric like this before, so I'm curious about your thoughts on it:

brightskirt.jpg


I guess it was home made, no labels there, but nicely made, and somebody certainly knew how to make this fabric work on this skirt! Two pockets in the front. Back zip (newer zip, but I suspect it was replaced, as it was sewn in worse than when I sew a zip in by machine, and that doesn't seem to be consistent with how the rest of the skirt was made) and a big metal snap to close it at the top. The bottom seam is fairly wide and was done by hand. Looks original.

The fabric itself is a mystery to me, as I have never seen anything like it before. It's fairly heavy, but feels soft, not scratchy. It is woven like this - it's not a print. Was there a time when fabrics like this were popular? Is there a name for this kind of fabric/pattern/weave?

brightskirt2.jpg


Can't do a burn test really as there's nowhere to snip something off. The fabric's as wide as was needed for this skirt, so at the back seam, the actual fabric edges meet, so no finishing was needed - I don't want to destroy that.

Karin
 
my thought is that it first of all is FABULOUS!!!

love the colors, the woven print.

Moroccan pops into my mind, but i have no support for that thought.

adorable, Karin, those colors should be amazing on you, too!!!
 
I love it too, what a fabulous print and colorway!

It's so difficult when you are not handling these yourself but from the weave I am getting the impression it may be from Greece.

I have seen mainly dresses and bags that were purchased when on holiday in Greece that have this same textured woven look about them. Can't be certain of course but this is what it makes me think of.
 
Wow, thanks, those are some interesting ideas - I never thought this might be ethnic in some way :saint:, but it makes sense. It's too warm to wear it right now, we're having quite the heatwave now, but I can't wait to wear it when it gets cooler (with black accessories to make it pop even more) :icon_coolsnow:.

Karin
 
I keep looking at this and thinking Navajo meets North Africa but who knows. There was a strong ethnic influence in the late 1940's and early 1950's. Although the skirt length looks a bit short it could have been shortened. The fabric looks to be factory woven. It's a great design. Possibly a furnishing fabric. I really like it Karin.

It's worth reading about Mme Carven in the VFG Fashion History resource;
http://vintagefashionguild.org/fashion-history/carven-of-paris/
 
Thanks for that hint! The name Carven rings a bell, but I couldn't have placed it. I see what you mean.

The skirt is too short for 40s or 50s, that's right. There is quite a wide seam allowance, and the seam is nicely done by hand in black thread as all else was sewn in black, so one couldn't say if the skirt was shortened at one point or not. If it was, it was done by someone who knew their stuff.

KArin
 
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