Harvey Nichols wool cape, 60s?

retro ruth

retro ruth

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Staff member
Hi everyone,

I just wanted to check my thinking on this cape. The label is identical to one the label resource dating to the late 1950s. I thought this was more likely to be 60s, as I don't associate capes with the 50s, but would love your thoughts.

It's unlined, (which I am surprised by), has overlocked seams, and I suspect that the chain hanging loop has been added by a previous owner as it's not centrally placed and is rather amateurishly stitched.

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Many thanks as always,

Ruth
 
Judging by the length of this one I would think its late 50s or very early 60s. Margaret Rutherford wore capes as Jane Marple in her Agatha Christie movies in the early 60s and Pauline Trigere was designing capes in New York in the late 50s - early 60s and Balenciaga was doing evening capes in the late 50s - so they are around.

It looks very English!
 
I like your cape and wonder if it might be a bit earlier: the collar, fabric and in particular the remnant of salmon pink lining make me think earlier, maybe late '40s to mid '50s. I've seen a few coats of that colour in that time period.

I think it probably was lined (in the salmon) and removed when it was damaged and the label sewn resewn onto the wool. I agree that the chain isn't original - maybe it was attached to the lining too and also moved. Can you tell from the interior if there was a lining originally? If there wasn't, I'd expect the seams to be bound with tape or well finished off. Hopefully you might find a remnant of the salmon somewhere, it will be easy to see against the green.

Nicole
 
Here's a few more pics of the inside finishing in case it helps with dating - Very interested to hear it may be earlier - might have to change my "Swinging 60s" description!

I've looked for a trace of lining and all I can find is two loose salmon pink threads buried behind the front placket - clutching at straws perhaps! Can't see any sign of stitching having been removed - but it mightn't show in this fabric.

Another reason for thinking it must have been lined is that the wool is quite rough, not soft against the skin - it's really like a blanket, quite utilitarian.

The seams are overlocked, not bound. At the hem and one side the overlocked edge has been hand sewn (I think) to the fabric.

Also including a close up the button hole - I think this is also hand-finished?

The other detail I forgot to mention is that is has small two buttons under the collar, perhaps for attaching a hood? Same type as the main buttons but much smaller.

The green is looking very washed out in these pics - it's really quite a rich colour, as better shown in the first pics.

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Thanks for the extra pics Ruth: capes are much more of a '60s thing and after seeing your second lot I'm going to correct my first dating. I agree with Jonathan's late '50s.

The buttonhole by the way, is machine sewn. I agree that the small collar buttons may be for a (missing) hood.

Nicole
 
Thanks very much for the help Jonathan and Nicole. It's still a touch earlier than I had thought, so good to know, and to learn.

And just for fun, inspired by Jonathan's comments, here's Margaret Rutherford!
 
Did I hear someone say cocktails? I have an alert setup for that word!

Love that cape and color. Thanks for posting as I also learned something new.
 
isn't the coral bit a bound seam? that's what it looks like from here. i agree, late 50s. very stylish, and i'll bet very warm.
 
I love cocktails, and cocktail dresses!

Yes it seems to be a bound seam, where the collar meets the cape, but a very bulky rounded one, as though there is a roll of the wool fabric underneath it. I think perhaps it's to take the weight of the cape, and the missing hood. It's bound in what looks very much like rayon lining fabric, rather than tape, and is just around the inside of the collar.

It is very warm, like a blanket - I wore it last winter once or twice but have decided to move it on.

Thanks again, nice to hear people like it.

Ruth
 
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