Help Dating this gorgeous velvet suit!

[Lisa Burback]

Hi there!

I need some assistance dating this lovely suit. It's a deep blue velvet, the sleeves are very slightly puffed, and the skirt has some gathered material in the back at the bottom (where a slit would be - pictured). The skirt has a side metal zipper. It's lined with white satin, and there are no tags.

I'm thinking 40s, but I would love any input! Thanks!

-Lisa

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Most of these date from the mid '60s to mid '70s and you see a few again in the early '80s. The gathered material at the back looks like a badly sewn kick pleat.

It sounds like your suit is hand made, so hence no labels, but it would help if you tell us what sort of velvet it is (polyester?) and if it has shoulder pads. Regarding the fabric, if you can snip a little and burn it, if it's polyester it will melt and turn plasticky. You can do the same with the satin lining which is likely to be polyester too.

The sleeves don't look puffed in this image, more a standard set in sleeve so on the current information I would date this suit on either mid '60s or very early '80s.Home made items can be harder to date as they're not as fashion conscious as manufactured clothing.

A 1940s version would have a fitted tailored jacket, shoulder pads and probably lapels and not be made of polyester.

 

[Catbooks1940s]

i agree with mid 60s - the boxy open jacket combined with the kick pleat and length of skirt is classic mid 60s. from here the velvet looks like rayon.

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Joan's right - if it's '60s it will likely be rayon. A late '70s-early '80s suit will be polyester velvet.

 

[Better Dresses Vintage]

My mother wore a velvet suit (dark brown) similar to this at her early 60s wedding.