Help Dating Coat Fashioned for Purcell's (Jacksonville) of Forstmann Virgin Wool

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Oh, my - Barbara, that coat is beautiful! I wouldn't mind one like that.

 

[Jennifer Kietzman]

What an elegant coat - great find!

Thanks! It was a little eBay treasure I found during this past summer.

 

[Jennifer Kietzman]

over this beauty!

Haha, so kind! If it's any consolation, it's suffered some over the years - a few moth holes (fortunately in discreet areas) and some grazing. Still, though, it declares its presence in the world with a whole lot of panache!

 

[Jennifer Kietzman]

Hello,

That is a beautiful coat. I vote for 1940s, anywhere from early to mid 1940s. I have seen a few ads for Forstmann wool coats from the period of 1948 onward through the mid 1950s and they all have well below the knee length to mid calf. Here is one from 1948, and note that the skirt of the coat is actually quite a bit longer than the page of the magazine.

View attachment 35794

Wow, that's a beauty! I'd take it. And the plot thickens - I was settled on late 40s, but the ad does add weight to an argument for an earlier date.

 

[Jennifer Kietzman]

You know, I've often wondered about the rather inventive use of fur trim on 40s coats. Any theories as to why this is? Why such quirkiness at that particular point in time?

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

I think it's earlier in the '40s too.

Regarding the fur trim, it may be WW2 ingenuity, making the most of the scraps rather than throwing them away.

 

[Jennifer Kietzman]

I think it's earlier in the '40s too.

Regarding the fur trim, it may be WW2 ingenuity, making the most of the scraps rather than throwing them away.

Yes, that makes sense, about the trim, thanks! From penury to ingenuity.

 

[Catbooks1940s]

from what i can tell from the photos, i don't think the shoulders are padded enough to be wartime.