Humbly Seeking Help

[Stelmyra]

Hello hello! I found this at the thrift store yesterday and just loved the style. Especially the mini tuxedo tail (I think that's what it's called) in the front and in the back.

I was hoping I could get some help dating it. I've included pictures of the garment and tags.

I thought maybe the skirt length would be helpful as well so I measured it and it's about 20.5 inches long.

Also, any price suggestions would be helpful. In the mean time I am doing my market research on similar suits, but it's hard to really compare without the knowledge that I need. Do any of you have any market research advice?

Thank you for taking the time to read and reply

 

[Pinkcoke]

It's a 1980s skirt suit. Keywords to search for: peplum jacket, power suit, brocade/jaquard, satin, fitted.

 

[furwise]

Melanie already helped a lot with dating and great words to use when searching for similar styles. We aren't able to specifically suggest how much you should price your items for because the market for each item is different depending on who is selling it, where the item is being sold, condition, the audience looking, who sees the item when it's offered, how much those looking have to spend, and how much those who do see the item really want the item being offered.
With that said you can do some searching on your own by using what you know combined with the keywords and dating that Melanie offered, and search the sold listings on eBay to try to find out the average that similar 80s skirt suits sold for. The average price of what has been sold should help you to get an idea of what you might be able to sell yours for.

 

[joules]

80s all the way, and a wonderful color. Condition looks good too - well done! The keyword, 'Dynasty', comes to mind, for dressy looks such as this.

(Be aware though, that there is a Dynasty label, which has nothing to do with this suit or type of 80s style. Please see the label resource for more Dynasty info.)

I'd call that a slanted pleated peplum feature, rather than a tuxedo tail.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Love it. I will differ with the others slightly on the dating, as I do feel it is early 1990s.

 

[furwise]

Technically it could really be either/or. I do think I see big shoulder pads there which was popular in 80s garments as was the peplum/fish style bottom but lighter colors and pastels were seen into the 90s. The label was first used in 1987 with a filing date of November 7th, 1988 and an opposition date on August 13th, 1991 showing a change in registration occurring, the latest registration is dead, and I don't see any registrations after so I am thinking this label which is registered could only be somewhere between 88 to 91 as shown in these two filings assuming I read these trademark records correctly;

http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4804:vdxuql.2.2

http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4804:vdxuql.2.1

 

[Stelmyra]

Hmmm, this is odd. I could have sworn I replied to this thread but it's not showing up.

Pinkcoke: Thank you so much that really helped a lot. I'm embarrassed to admit I have never heard the term "power suit" before. And I've also learned a new word today -> peplum

Furwise: That's a great idea to use e-bays sold listings feature. I wish Etsy had the same but oh well.

Thank you all for your insight and input, I appreciate it.

I have a few more items I'd like you gals' opinion on, if you're up for it. None of the labels were under the label list on VFG (which kind of makes me nervous) but I searched trademarks for 3 countries and found some of them. However, I can't find Sunny Names anywhere (not sure it's even vintage but looks at least vintage-ish. I feel like such a rookie).

Also, does anyone know anything about the Cassidy brand? I can't find the trademark for it (I found one for shoes). I'll include the label picture but I doubt the item itself is vintage (looks like a trench coat with a belt. Oddly enough the garment has no belt loops though.)

This is all I have for now I'm hoping to make another trip to the thrift store soon though because it's bursting with vintage dresses lately.

EDIT: I wish the pictures uploaded in the order I choose them. The last label (Sunny Names) belongs to the power suit. The Cassidy label is to the silk trench coat that I have not shown because I don't think it's vintage and I didn't want to upload too many pictures.

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

I agree with Barbara in that your blue suit is very early '90s - a late '80s version would probably have larger shoulder pads and a longer skirt. If you have a look at the hem you should be able to tell if it's been shortened but I'm confident with early '90s - these suits always remind me of Nanny Fran Fine.

You should start new threads for each new item but just quickly, I can offer the following datings:

• dress 1 - 1993-1994
• dress 2 - mid '90s
• jacket - '90s (with Sunny label)
• no garment pic for the Cassidy label but if you start a new thread you should get some responses.

Please read this thread which contains helpful information about how to get the best help from the VFG, in particular:

"Please be sure to show the front and back, close-ups and label shots of your garment.
Please post your images to the thread, rather than linking to an external site.

Please ask us about only one piece per post; and include as much pertinent information as possible: the type of fabric, any openings, zippers, zipper pulls, type of interior construction and seaming, shots of the labels, buttons if they are unusual, etc. The more you can tell us, the more we can tell you!

Please put the designer or manufacturer’s name and type of garment in your title, e.g. “1950s Emma Domb ballgown.”"

 

[Stelmyra]

Thank you Circa I was wondering if I should start a new thread for each item but felt like that would be too many threads. I'll be sure to do so in the future as well as include more information and upclose shots.

Again, thank you so much for your help!

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

You're welcome: we don't mind lots of threads, it makes it easier to concentrate on one garment and the sometimes fascinating places it can take us.